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Review by a visitor, 09-21-06 not too shabby imo

my wife and i stopped in here on one of our last days in amsterdam. it was only 1 or 2 in the afternoon but the place was already full of drunken brits. my wife kinda felt out of place since there were no other women in the joint (had to check to make sure we weren't in the gay section of town, lol). the bud tender was friendly enough and gave me a good deal on some of their rookies ob, which for the price ($5/gram) was a pretty damn decent purchase. certainly not the best herb in town but still pretty good and we got nice and toasted while drinking tea. i doubt i'll be back, but i don't regret coming here.

Review by wee lisa, 08-19-06 this is one of my favourties

i dont think i could ever have anything bad to say about rookies, it has everything i am looking for, i could sit here all day (many times we have)

Review by catherine tobin, 03-29-06 friendly staff good weed and one vapouriser sets you up for the day

went to rookies for the new year 2005. stayed in a flat on that street and never wanted to leave the place. was with a group of people that lived there for years and still loved it so much we were there every day of our trip. five stars considering i fell off my bar stool after an hour there and i could not fault the staff so, friendly.

Review by a visitor, 02-19-06 hate this place

its just a british bar that sells (not very good) weed, i say avoid at all costs, i also hate the street its situated on!

Review by birdman, 02-14-05 why all the hype?

the rookies reminded me a a frat bar back in america. the hasj/weed menu sucks! just because they have a pool table and serve beer and have a lot of room doesn't impress me.

Review by danny, 02-09-05

the rookies the place to see in amsterdam! thay also have a wunderfull hotel above the coffeeshop, very nice staff and pooltable terras and wireless internet boatrides in hotel and in the rookies!its like cheers at a railway station. boatrides very special! enjoy!!

Review by kirk caldy, 01-27-05 consistently good

my most visited cs. i was staying above so this was the last stop every night. bought pre-rolled northern lights here, but i dunno, good but something was missing from them. not very giggly... ah well, wont stop me from going back for the beer which is always fantastic.

Review by bigfattudboker, 01-27-05 fantastic oj

visited rookies easter 2004. laidback staff, good atmosphere. quick, polite service, very roomy. ordered 2.2gr rookies skunk, it was average at best. 2.1gr superpolm, nice flavor and very smooth. was quite pleased with the superpolm. 2 oj's, one for me and one wifey. yummy oj. it alone is worth going back for. recieved 2 stickers, filter tips, papers and 2 lighters and a couple other things that somehow have skipped my mind for free.

Review by bigbird, 07-30-04 northern lights

i had a pure prerolled cone and it rocked.i chilled at a table outside and the staff inquired about my welfare but did not hassle me.

Review by bigbird, 07-30-04 good staff

this was my first coffeeshop ever.i had a prerolled northern lights cone.got very stoned and sat on the terrace.after i sat for quite a while one staff member came out to the terrace to ask if i was allright.very nice to be a little wasted and having the staff checking on you not just worried about the bottom line.

Review by boner, 07-07-04 not very good

had the rookies skunk and unless mixed with something stronger it was a complete waste of time (did it come from the person who supplies the bulldog?)

Review by a visitor, 04-28-04 one of the best

visited here end march 2004. beer was good, however my girlfriends tia maria had been cut/replaced by cheap brandy. atmosphere is fantastic - just lots of happy people. would recommend - as long as you stick to beer.

Review by big g, 03-09-04 perfect coffeeshop off the main drag.

visited oct 2,2003 we stepped in here to get out of the rain and get high. had my own and ordered two cappicinos. nice relaxed establishment then went across the street and bought some t-shirts from their commercial shop!!

Review by a visitor, 02-26-04 rookies skunk

the rookies skunk that this awesome bar/coffeeshop was absolutely delicious and delightful. the hottest chicks were working that night too. very neat place, i reccomend it.

Review by germs, 01-16-04 gnome man's land

my favorite coffee shop that i visited in amsterdam was a small place that my friends and i came to call 'gnome man's land'. it's a very small and quaint shop located on kerekenstratt. the service was friendly and the endless murals on the wall were filled with colorful images of what resembled rennisance times on an 8th of good shrooms. they had everything to offer you that any other establishment would but also had a nice 'naturistic' feel to it.

Review by a visitor, 08-26-03 a nice place to relax

my first coffeeshop experience, was served by a very friendly and attractive australian girl who suggested the northern lights, and now i know why.....the smoke was so good that i couldn't find my hotel afterward, but, that is what you get when you try to smoke the whole bag by yourself..... pool tables and rather friendly folk made this a nice place to stop.

Review by trekknhil, 06-30-03 great bathroom

don't laugh, they are hard to come by. the ladies room was best in town! nice patio where we had a channelite meeting in june 2003. has a pool table and a nice vibe.

Review by a visitor, 06-16-03 best spot to enjoy your holiday in amsterdam!!

staff is frendly , music is good , the menu is all i needed ,great location, en the rookies hotel was perfect and the boatrides where unique !! thanx!! for everything rookies!!

Review by a visitor, 03-22-03 what an experience!!!!

we had never been to a coffeeshop before and had never had hash before either. rookies was friendly and we didn't feel intimidated at all, in fact the barman was more than happy to explain what to do and which substance to buy. if you haven't rolled a cigarette before its best to buy a 'stickie' ready rolled.we tried it, but my other half had what they call a 'white-out', the bar staff where really helpful and soon sorted him out with sugar water and cola. aparantly mixing alcohol with weed isn't a good idea!

Review by a visitor, 02-27-03 more like a bar

this place was more like a bar then a coffeeshop, the gear was pre packaged. i sampled the rookies special, it was okay but not top line. nice decor, reasonable large and clean.

Review by fecaljesus, 02-20-03 hella good

this place was bangin... i found myself going in there at 11 am daily to get a bag for a spliff of superskunk with breakfast...crowded is fine with me, as is dank beer and liquor to go with my all-american tobacco free spliff..also,there are some really hot chicks working in the hash bars in amsterdam, many of which i tried to bring home with us (girl and me), but no dice...game is slacking

Review by jenni henderson, 12-10-02 never mind the joints - the hot chocolate is out of this world

went to amsterdam at new year 2000 and found rookies to be my favourite coffee shop. relaxing and friendly and the hot chocolate was fantastic just before bed. we walked miles to get to it every night as it was a fair distance from our hotel.

Review by david r, 11-25-02 very good

this was the first shop i went too in november 2002. very nice staff, very relaxed and about the only place you could get a good pint of lager with your j. good as a last stop b4 beddy time

Review by gazman, 09-16-02 nice...when quiet!

nice big coffeshop, sells booze and has a pool table. gets very busy late afternoon (very) !!

Review by dave, 09-04-02 nice place!

all i know is that i got stoned in the rookies, and other places, everyday for 6 days and i felt more relaxed there than anywhere else!, spent 12euro on the worst northern lights i've ever had but the hash well made up for it! tunes were a bit dodgy too, think they played song 2 by blur once and the rest was muck. relaxing place though and worth the visit, afternoon it though, well busy in d'evenins ad personally, i hate skinning up while standing!!

Review by bruce stone, 06-11-02 went there 6 days in a row fun great service honkytonk meets coffeeshop

arrived a'dam 4 20 02 to celebrate 50th b'day went every day closest place to hotel, best service of all the coffee shops i went to. weed & hash great! gave me free beers on my birthday! highly recommend you visit my favorite place!!! thanks rookies!!!!!!!!!!!

Review by dogbreath, 03-01-02 beer bar that sells weed

if you like beer bars, with loud music and a crowded scene, this is a place for you. it seems more like a bar that sells weed then a coffee shop. loud, a lot of yelling with that alchohol vibe. not for my tastes, but if you like bars, you'll probably enjoy this place. :-)

Review by canuck, 12-13-01 well-cured bud!

a lot of cannabis sold in coffeshops in a'dam is wet and unsmokable unless you want to roll with tobacco. i hate that shit. the rookies (although they need a name change)has consistently sold me the best-manicured northern lights and superskunk that i have purchased in the city. not the best selection, but the smoke is sweet and soft. the service is also good. i spent 50 guilders and had a free pack of papers and a lighter handed to me by the dealer. great pit-stop with good prices. recommended.

Review by a visitor, 10-08-01 nice place

was in amsterdam middle of september and stopped in this place, nice atmosphere, seems more like a bar than a coffee shop, did not buy anything, just had a drink, it was busy, mind you it was a saturday night, they have a pool table for those of you interested. service was quick and pleasant.. will go back again when in amsterdam...

Review by rookies fan, 05-11-01 this place is the best

i've been to a-dam about three times and i'm going back again soon. you can bet your last dollar that rookies is going to be my first stop! this is a great place to sit back and enjoy your high without any worries. the people there are nice and friendly and best of all...rookies skunk weed rules!!!! maybe the sound system isn't all that but the music that they play makes up for it. i hate to sound like an advertisment but if you like to have a great time in a great place rookies is the place to be.

Review by a visitor, 04-23-01 What's tha fuss?

I found this place to be much touted, especially here in the forum. Stopped in around 4 times, at various times of the day/evening. Every time - noisy, crowded, etc. Felt like a sports bar, which I guess it tries to be? Chick behind the counter (with the nose-stud) was cool though. Had to shout a lot to be heard. Not my cup of tea, but if you're into it.....

Review by heath , 04-23-01 amazing spliffs

My girl and I went to this hopping shop after the comedy show at boom chicago. It was a bit busy but the music was wonderful and the staff was very helpful. They had recently just ran out of some of their neat jionts but the northern lights where abundant. We sat around for 20 min. smoked some shiva and then took the joint to the park. The pull was a little hard. But we smoked the enitre thing; with sweat smells of pine and summer rain. It went down pretty smooth and took us into lala land for a good few hours. Very nice weed, have to try the hash sometime.

Review by 6th timer, 04-02-01 Big Ass Shop with full out bar

Stopped in last friday eve to meet up with frinds, the place was packed, but that is to be expected for Friday happy hour, did not buy any produce here, but did hang for an extended period, they have Duvel which was nice. Will def be back. Staff was fast and friendly.

Review by Lawrence, 02-18-01 A perfect day-Rookies/museums/Rookies

If you're looking for a place to relax and smoke before going to the museums or after a day in the museums, I would recommend The Rookies. We spent a lot of time hanging there. The staff and patrons are really friendly. I'd say a stop at The Rookies before/after hitting the Rijksmuseum or Van Gogh is my idea of a perfect day.

Review by ALF, 02-13-01 SH*@ I CANT REMEMBER THE NIGHT ! !

WHAAAAAAAW I over did it but was well looked after (NOVIS SMOKER) WHAT A PLACE ! Must have made an inpression myself......Got a free coffee the next day 'BLESS THEM !'

Review by Lucy, 01-15-01 Cool and laid back kinda place

Went here quite late and still got a seat!Yeahh!! Great choons (Chemical Bros, Moby etc..) Only gripe is that there is no coffee late night. Every one was very friendly, and its bigger than most coffee shops. Enjoy the space!! Its pretty easy to find as well, compared to some of them! Looks like a regular bar, lovely beer, good weed, great staff!Enjoy!!

Review by KJ, 10-30-00 Pre-Rolled Advise

The last review complained about the quality of the pre-rolled. The Rookies sells both with and without tobacco, the Dutch roll joints with tobacco to make sure they continue to burn. If a place sells pre-rolled ALWAYS ask if they are pure or mixed. If you say nothing you will get a mixed joint. Bye the way, I made The Rookies my regular stop during my stay, nice laid back staff and very helpful. The place has a nice local feel with a good mixed crowd. It's not a trippy hippy hang-out that plays the music so loud you can't hear yourself think.

Review by cagey, 10-23-00 Could use some help on the pre-rolled

Visited a couple of times during my week stay. Music system wasn't as bad as I'd heard (from reviews). What do you want from a pub/bar type place. Always busy but not too crowded. My only beef was with the pre-rolled northern lights. A friend purchased one and it was a bit rough on the lungs. Not much better than your average downtown-brown skag weed imho. Guys, you ought to ensure that if you tout the best 'pre-rolled in town' that your weed is truly top shelf.

Review by Tom, 09-22-00 Just returned, great place

Just returned from our first visit to the Rookies, on 9/17/00. We really liked it, and the pre-rolled Northern Lights kick ass. Only criticsm is that they could use a better sound system.

Review by a visitor, 07-09-00 Loved the place

This is a great coffeeshop. It is NOT one of the trippy coffeeshops that kill you with funky music and bizarre interiors that you find around, it is more like my local pub. They have a bar, pool table, plenty of tables, some outside. I found more locals inside here than most, that is a good sign for a place right next to the Leidsplein.

Review by a visitor, 07-05-00 Great place

This became my favorite in Adamsterdam, great location, great staff(two very hot and nice girls working the bar) and some really good smoke. The place feels more like a local pub then a coffeeshop, alot of locals from the area around the Leidsplein seem to go there to avoid the tourist traps of the area.

Review by a visitor, 06-11-00 Great nieghborhood feeling

Visited Rookies a few times during our stay in 'Z Dam' I felt a little out of place since im 52 yrs old. But the staff was very friendly and I son relax and enjoyed the atmosphere,music and the grass. The 100% weed joints were great. No fumbling with papers etc. Grass wasnt as good as the weed from 'Nam and Thailand, but the relaxed, 'no hiding' atmosphere more than made up for that. Give it a try!

Review by a visitor, 06-08-00 I was a rookie at the Rookies!

As you can imagine, being in Amsterdam for the first time was quite an experience. The Rookies was my first stop after checking in to my hotel and getting situated. What a great place for the first timer. I bought a pre-rolled 100% weed joint and had a beer. As I sat there at the bar I took note of the pool table, darts, cool music and pretty good vibe. I've been back twice since my inaugural visit in 98 and plan to be back in nov.2000. Maybe not the best in town, but my first. And we always remember our first!

Review by Laura Davies, 01-21-00 I Was In Heaven

This was my first coffee shop EVER....the novelty of sitting doing what I do every day of the year..but in public! This place was cosy and the music was really good..its a nice relaxing place to go and good for first time coffee shop visitors..don't bother with the commercial places..the bulldog, grasshopper tend to be full of english wankers asking for pints of lager!

Review by a visitor, 10-15-99 Overrated

My main suggestion to this place is to get some speakers with bass. They played good music (hard rock) but their sound system is the worst. I read the bud here is great. Just your average Amsterdam bud grown with way too many fertilizers. I forget the specific varieties I had but the flavor and aroma were all weak. Took notes on the Northern Lights (DF25/g grams). Bell ringing, very 'up' high. Aroma was very faint and flavor was 'ashy.' Buzz died quickly.

Review by Visitor, 07-26-99 The best Coffee-Shop/Bar in town (that i've seen!)

Really a good place to sit and enjoy a buzz ! Really big at the first glance (may be surprising for people liking intimacy), with a incredible number of drinks (cos that s a bar too) : there are a pool table (2.5 guilders is the price), a chess game... that s the place where u can spend the whole afternoon ! And the staff is nice ! The only reason i didn t gave it a 5-stars rating is that the music, though good, wasn t my favourite one (that was good rock but no more).

Review by Bilbo, 05-02-99 Ready-rolled 100% cannabis joints, [or with tobacco].

Just a few minutes walk from Leidseplein [Led Zeppelin Square as I call it], is Rookies which I visited in the Summer of '98. When I asked if ready-rolled joints were available, the guy behind the bar said "certainly sir - neat or mixed with tobacco"? Not being into tobacco [as it makes me feel sick], I went for a neat one and for 10 guilders [ú3] I got this really neatly rolled 'cone' shaped joint in a cone shaped see through plastic container, with a "100% pure cannabis - Rookies Amsterdam" sticker on it! What a buzz to be able to do that - AND sit outside in the sunshine at a table enjoying a puff, knowing I wasn't going to be busted for enjoying a less harmful, less dangerous non-addictive 'drug' than alcohol or tobacco, which never killed anybody. See ya soon Rookies! Bilbo.

Review by Donna and Steve, 04-25-99 Don

We were in A'dam for almost three months last winter, and no day was complete without a visit to The Rookies. It's a really comfortable place to cool your heels and people-watch. They make great cappucinos and nice large prerolled joints (a much better deal than at The Bulldog down the street). Can't wait to get back there!

Review by jeff, 04-03-99 awesome dude

the coffee is what it's all about.

Review by Clayton, 12-31-98 The Rookies; A Great Place to Take a Break!

One of my favorites! A wonderful place to hang out, chat, or shoot pool. A Very Relaxed and Laid Back Place. Tony and Kevin do a great job. Their coffee is great, the Orange Juice is fresh squeezed, the music is Excellent and I wish I was there right now! The Rookies Skunk is some of Amsterdam's Best. Their Hash also deserves honorable mention. No trip to Amsterdam is complete with out spending some time here.

Disclaimer. The reviews listed here are written by the visitors of The Channels website and do not reflect the opinion of The Channels.