Oude Leliestraat 2

Grey Area, the "underground" connoisseurs smoking area, has won 13 Cannabis Cup awards over the last few years. It's famous as the original home of Bubblegum, AK-47, Yellow Cab and last year's two-time second-place winner, Grey Mist (both grass and Nederhash crystals). Just a three-minute walk west of Dam Square, it's located on a narrow walking-street on the edge of the arty Jordaan Quarter, within sight of "Big Head Bridge" (a bridge over the Singel Canal on which sits a huge statue of the head of a social-rights crusader named Multituli). Sometimes called the "Cheers of Coffeeshops," Grey Area is where many trips to Amsterdam begin and end. The shop frequently plays home to touring musicians and performing artists, such as 311, Pharcyde, Black Crowes, Willie Nelson, Phish and their friends and entourages. Grey Area is a living-room-like (well at least the vibe is, my living room is a bit bigger) hook-up point where you'll be sharing the chill atmosphere (and bong hits from the special collection of hand-blown glass bongs from Jerome Baker) with a collection of Deadheads, Phishheads, Spreadheads, Hempheads, Webheads and Heads of all sorts. Grey Area is run by two "stoner-operators" who have opted to specialize in phat, kind connoisseur bud. There is a choice between both Nederhash and imported hashish, and sometimes they have the coveted Moroccan "shoes." The proprietors give personal service and customized deals, including UK-style-eighths (3.5 grams to the rest of the world) and 4:20 specials.