Amsterdam on New Years Day
Discussion
After so many disappointing New Years Eve's in London, I've decided to go to Amsterdam and will be spending my night on a 10 hour bus journey.
We're getting the Megabus at 9.30pm from London Victoria on the 31st and will arrive early the next morning. I think we may have rushed into this a bit, as we don't know if anything will be open. I've been looking online and I can't find any info on the coffeeshops, all I can see is that the zoo will definitely be open! Has anyone been there over New Years and is it generally quiet or are there still things to do?
Also made a mistake with the hotel, got tempted by one of those cheap "top secret" hotel deals on lastminute.com and it turns out that the hotel is about 45 mins walk from the main center of Dam (it's the Bilderberg Garden hotel if anyone's familiar with it). Getting to the town center won't be a problem but getting back will, and we'll probably end up having to go back and forth a couple of times during the day.
If it is going to be quiet on the 1st, will it get more lively on the following days? I've already been a couple of times but one was literally a day trip (easyjet flight at 6.30am, smoke as much weed and drink as much beer as humanly possible and got a flight back at 9.30pm) and the other time I was only there for 1 night so it will be good to have a bit of extra time to do the stuff I haven't done such as the Heineken museum and visiting the other areas in Holland like Rotterdam or Haarlem.
Also, what's the nightlife like there? I'm guessing we will be having at least one night out on the town but as we are going midweek, does anybody know any clubs / bars that will be open?
We're getting the Megabus at 9.30pm from London Victoria on the 31st and will arrive early the next morning. I think we may have rushed into this a bit, as we don't know if anything will be open. I've been looking online and I can't find any info on the coffeeshops, all I can see is that the zoo will definitely be open! Has anyone been there over New Years and is it generally quiet or are there still things to do?
Also made a mistake with the hotel, got tempted by one of those cheap "top secret" hotel deals on lastminute.com and it turns out that the hotel is about 45 mins walk from the main center of Dam (it's the Bilderberg Garden hotel if anyone's familiar with it). Getting to the town center won't be a problem but getting back will, and we'll probably end up having to go back and forth a couple of times during the day.
If it is going to be quiet on the 1st, will it get more lively on the following days? I've already been a couple of times but one was literally a day trip (easyjet flight at 6.30am, smoke as much weed and drink as much beer as humanly possible and got a flight back at 9.30pm) and the other time I was only there for 1 night so it will be good to have a bit of extra time to do the stuff I haven't done such as the Heineken museum and visiting the other areas in Holland like Rotterdam or Haarlem.
Also, what's the nightlife like there? I'm guessing we will be having at least one night out on the town but as we are going midweek, does anybody know any clubs / bars that will be open?
Never been that time of year so can't help, but 1 thing springs to mind. I'm sure some of the lads I work with said that things could be changing with the coffee shops.
Something along g the lines of Dutch nationals only being able to enter them now! I havn't toured this year, so not 100%, but could be worth checking out.
Something along g the lines of Dutch nationals only being able to enter them now! I havn't toured this year, so not 100%, but could be worth checking out.
chilistrucker said:
Never been that time of year so can't help, but 1 thing springs to mind. I'm sure some of the lads I work with said that things could be changing with the coffee shops.
Something along g the lines of Dutch nationals only being able to enter them now! I havn't toured this year, so not 100%, but could be worth checking out.
Nah that vote didnt pass, not happening Something along g the lines of Dutch nationals only being able to enter them now! I havn't toured this year, so not 100%, but could be worth checking out.
im only a little bit happy about it 
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/01/amsterdam...
Amsterdam is f
king mental on NY night. All the locals come out and party in the main squares, then let off loads of fireworks. Quite dangerous really. It sounds like WW3 is about to kick off. Brilliant, don't miss it.
Oh, you'll be on a bus. Sorry dude, but I think you've totally screwed up the timing of that. The first few days of the new year anywhere is going to be quiet.
king mental on NY night. All the locals come out and party in the main squares, then let off loads of fireworks. Quite dangerous really. It sounds like WW3 is about to kick off. Brilliant, don't miss it.Oh, you'll be on a bus. Sorry dude, but I think you've totally screwed up the timing of that. The first few days of the new year anywhere is going to be quiet.
Cheaper weed further out of the centre too, some of the ones around the uni were very good value compared to the touristy shops like Barnies, Grey Area and Dampkring. The latter's hash is well worth a try though and worth the extra - Manali cream and any Rifman were my personal fav's. Have fun.
warp9 said:
Amsterdam is fking mental on NY night. All the locals come out and party in the main squares, then let off loads of fireworks. Quite dangerous really. It sounds like WW3 is about to kick off. Brilliant, don't miss it.
Oh, you'll be on a bus. Sorry dude, but I think you've totally screwed up the timing of that. The first few days of the new year anywhere is going to be quiet.
I've heard it's mental on New Years Eve, wish I had booked a bus for the day earlier but it wouldn't have worked out. king mental on NY night. All the locals come out and party in the main squares, then let off loads of fireworks. Quite dangerous really. It sounds like WW3 is about to kick off. Brilliant, don't miss it.Oh, you'll be on a bus. Sorry dude, but I think you've totally screwed up the timing of that. The first few days of the new year anywhere is going to be quiet.
Thanks for all the other replies, any more info would be much appreciated.
Where else is good to visit in Holland? Would it even be worth spending a day in Rotterdam or is it quite similar to Amsterdam?
jogon said:
Cheaper weed further out of the centre too, some of the ones around the uni were very good value compared to the touristy shops like Barnies, Grey Area and Dampkring. The latter's hash is well worth a try though and worth the extra - Manali cream and any Rifman were my personal fav's. Have fun.
They are my favourite coffeeshops, Greenhouse always has something special (the cup winning import hash this year was Sharkberry Cream, looks amazing!) but it's bloody pricey!Even the food and drink in Amsterdam is expensive from what I remember. We're definitely going to the banana show this time, haven't seen that before but heard many stories!
What are the best coffee shops outside the main city center? I've had a look online but can't seem to find much info on the ones in Rotterdam or Haarlem.
buzzeh123 said:
chilistrucker said:
Never been that time of year so can't help, but 1 thing springs to mind. I'm sure some of the lads I work with said that things could be changing with the coffee shops.
Something along g the lines of Dutch nationals only being able to enter them now! I havn't toured this year, so not 100%, but could be worth checking out.
Nah that vote didnt pass, not happening Something along g the lines of Dutch nationals only being able to enter them now! I havn't toured this year, so not 100%, but could be worth checking out.
im only a little bit happy about it http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/01/amsterdam...
i did wonder if it would actually be put into practice.
i'm working there in the spring for 4 days
polo, rotterdam is ok, and there was a good coffee shop just over the road from the ahoy arena.
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