Barney’s Coffeeshop Amsterdam Review: Blue Cheese, Smoothies & Chill Vibes
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Barney’s. Another Amsterdam coffeeshop that ticks all the boxes — and then a few more.
- Quality herb (including Blue Cheese)
- Insane reviews
- Awesome smoothies
- Bonus: you can enjoy your smoke with a cold beer or cocktail
We only meant to pop in for a quick one while wandering down Haarlemmerstraat (which you definitely need to check out), but the vibe, the service, and the setup kept us firmly planted.
Here’s why we’d 100% go back.
And did. Repeatedly.
Barney’s Coffeeshop Quick Info
- 📍 Location: Haarlemmerstraat 102, 1013 EW Amsterdam, Netherlands
- 🚶 Distance from Centraal: About 10 minutes walk
- 🍺 Beer Available: Yes – at Barney’s Uptown opposite
- 🥤 Smoothies: Yes (and they’re banging)
- 🌿 Popular Strains: Blue Cheese, Liberty Haze, Pineapple Express
- 📱 Phone Policy: No loud calls or videos
- 🪑 Seating: Limited in the coffeeshop, more space at Uptown
Looking for a budget (ish) hotel near Centraal Station to save the faff?
We recommend Ibis Centraal. Request Room 503 or similar if possible.
Prices
As prices go, Barney’s is reasonable and run-of-the-mill for Amsterdam.
Expect roughly
- €12–€20 per gram depending on the strain. You can get the Cali stuff, etc but expect high prices.
- Smoothies around €5–€7
- Beer and drinks are available at Barney’s Uptown, €8 a pint in 2025.
Nothing outrageous for a coffeeshop with this reputation. Expect 7+ euros a pint in most places in Amsterdam. It’s not cheap.
If you’re unsure about spending abroad, check out our guide here on fee-free spending abroad.
Pro Tip
If the coffeeshop is packed, don’t hang around waiting for a seat.
Grab your herb, walk ten seconds across the road to Barney’s Uptown, order a beer or smoothie, and enjoy it there instead.
Honestly, it’s the best of both worlds. We prefer the bar vibe.
Coffeeshop vs Uptown: What’s The Difference?
You might notice there are actually two Barney’s spots:
Barney’s Coffeeshop and Barney’s Uptown, the bar almost directly opposite.
The coffeeshop itself can get seriously busy, but don’t let not getting a seat put you off.
Grab your herb there (which, by the way, is insanely good), then head across the road to Uptown where you can enjoy it properly — smoothie, beer, cocktail, whatever takes your fancy.
Personally, I’m all about a cold beer with my smoke, so safe to say I was living my best life.
You’ll also find skins, grinders, and rolling trays available there too.
Honestly… this setup is the dream.
The Barney’s Crew — You Lot Made It
When credit’s due, we’re always first to shout about it.
And if you’re a twat, we’ll shout about that too.
Customer-facing jobs — especially dealing with tourists — can be endless, thankless, and often fucking stressful.
They rarely get the praise but always catch the flak.
So while we didn’t catch your names, we want to give a massive thank-you to the young chap and lady behind the bar at Uptown.
Friendly, welcoming, knew their stuff — and didn’t hesitate to shut down some muppet blasting TikToks out loud.
Legends.
The resting-bitch face, as Russ say said it all. Silence.
No time for bullshit, and we love it.
(July 2nd–5th, 2025)
Don’t Be A Knob
It costs nothing to not be a knob.
Taking your can to the bin. Dropping your cup back at the counter. Those tiny gestures make a big difference.
You’re passing anyway.
We’re not saying grab a mop and start a shift — just don’t treat the place like a tip.
A little respect goes a long way.
And honestly, the smile or reaction you’ll get back says it all.
Small gesture. Big vibe.
#BeFuckingNice
Herb Quality
A little tip… don’t wake and bake with Blue Cheese and a mocha unless you’ve cleared your schedule.
It took us a good few hours to muster the energy to do anything.
Yes, it’s strong.
Yes, it jeffing stinks — exactly how Blue Cheese should.
We also tried Liberty Haze and Pineapple Express.
Russ was a big fan of the Liberty Haze — smooth, clean, and a proper daytime smoke.
The buds are dry (in a good way), the colours pop, and they always let you see and smell the goods before buying.
When they cracked open the Blue Cheese tub, you could feel the wave hit the room.
It smelled like a council estate in 2016.
Beautiful.
What Does A ‘No Phones Rule’ Mean in Amsterdam Coffeeshops?
You’ll spot signs in a lot of Amsterdam coffeeshops saying “NO MOBILE PHONES.”
Yeah, it sounds a bit much at first.
Wait… what? I can’t use my phone?
You absolutely can.
Scroll, message, snap your moody smoke shot for Insta — go for it.
But (and it’s a big one) don’t be a knob.
No one wants to hear:
- TikToks blasting out loud
- your mate on speaker
- your situationship drama echoing around the room
People come to coffeeshops to chill, not to be dragged into someone else’s background noise.
And don’t film or photograph other people.
Privacy matters. Not everyone wants to end up in the background of your stoned selfie or posted online mid-toke.
Basic respect. Big difference.
Other Coffeeshop Options
We’ve mentioned a few other coffeeshops in our Resin post, but if you’re after somewhere near Centraal with solid vibes, decent music, and cool décor — Resin is a great shout.
I’m a sucker for reggae and ska, and while they mostly play newer stuff, it still hits.
I ended up adding half their playlist to ours by the time we left.
Laid-back atmosphere, good tunes, and a quality smoke.
Final Thoughts
Bit of a theme developing here… but yep — there’s another steakhouse right next to Barney’s, and it’s rated bloody highly too.
We genuinely love this street.
If you’re looking for a coffeeshop near Amsterdam Centraal that actually lives up to the hype, Barney’s is well worth a visit.
Way more chilled, loads of great coffeeshops, and a proper foodie haven.
Safe to say we’ll be back on our next trip.
Until next time, Amsterdam.
x
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- Fee-Free Spending Abroad
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- Is the IAmsterdam Card Worth It?
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No pressure. Just good vibes.
¡Adiós amigos!
