Being one of the most visited cities in Europe, Amsterdam is famous for its great museums, brown bars, Red Light District and so on. But our local editors argue that Amsterdam has much more to offer outside the city centre, or at least beyond the Red Light District. There’s a bunch of hidden bars, cafés, museums and sights waiting for you just off the typical tourist paths.

We spoke with Rick, our local Amsterdam editor who is a master of avoiding tourist scams and discovering cool local spots around the city.

Like a Local: Rick, when we think of Amsterdam, we tend to think “Amsterdam is all about pot and the Red Light District!” Is this just a stereotype?

Rick: The Red Light District is a tiny part of the old centre where (in the minds of locals) 80% of all tourists hang out day and night. It’s a place locals will always try to avoid. If not because of the crowded, ‘un-bikeable’ streets and high prices, then simply because there are so many more cool spots elsewhere.

Like a Local: How about locals and weed in Amsterdam?

Rick: Dutch people generally do not smoke weed in coffee shops. Especially not in the old centre. But if a local did smoke in a coffee shop, then it would be at a quiet place outside of the centre where almost no tourists go. The goal of their visit if not to get shitfaced is to relax. Normally, if a local smokes weed, they buy it at a coffee shop or get it from their own private weed supplier or ‘man’, and they smoke it at home with friends or at a park.

Like a Local: So, the triangle of Dutch people, coffee shops and weed is an urban legend?

Photo by Bob Shand

Rick: Another point is that many tourists simply don’t believe that we barely smoke any weed. I guess it is the same story as the kid that isn’t allowed to eat candy. He will steal one because it’s exciting and forbidden. Put the candy jar on the table and he will be bored of candy after a week. For us, weed is nothing special. It’s just there and sometimes people smoke, some more than others. Don’t be surprised that the percentage of people who smoke weed in the Netherlands isn’t higher than the European Union average.

Like a Local: Ok… ok… But if Amsterdam locals don’t hang out in the famous “coffee shops”, where then do they hang?

Rick: I could make a list, for example ‘Places Where You Won’t Run Into RLD Tourists’. But that just doesn’t sound smooth enough, does it? I also noticed that this list would look almost identical to the existing list ‘10 alternative bars‘ created by me.

Like a Local: Cheers Rick. Hope to catch you in one of those bars, in Amsterdam!