On the outskirts of Amsterdam, since 1992

What started as an adventure between two bartenders with a dream has grown into one of the best-known coffeeshops on the south side of the city. The Border is located outside the ring road, far from the crowds of the city centre. This makes it the closest coffeeshop for those coming from Amstelveen, Schiphol or the Amsterdamse Bos, as well as a popular choice for Amsterdam locals who would rather not queue among tourists.

From traditional pub to modern coffeeshop

The story of The Border began in the late 1980s on Leidseplein, where Bart and Eric worked together behind the bar at Café Le Berry. They dreamed of opening their own place and noticed that there were no coffeeshops in the Amstelveen area. In 1992, they took over Café De Schuimkraag and transformed it into The Border. Upstairs was a traditional brown café with an eighties-style interior, while downstairs was a tropical basement with pool tables and a pinball machine. Cannabis sales started modestly, with a friend and a bag of cannabis in a corner behind the bar. Today, the shop has been completely transformed into a modern, sleek retail space with touchscreens and certified budtenders. The atmosphere of the old café may be gone, but the knowledge and service have remained.

Certified staff, changing selection

What sets The Border apart from many other shops is that all employees hold an official budtender qualification. This means they not only know what they are selling, but can also give you specific advice about effects and potency. The selection changes regularly, with a broad range of cannabis, hash and edibles, including space cakes that are specifically recommended by regular customers. The Border was also one of the first coffeeshops in Amsterdam to voluntarily stop selling alcohol, doing so in 2001, six years before it became a legal requirement.

Why The Border is worth a visit

The Border is a coffeeshop for those who make a conscious choice and do not necessarily need to be in the city centre. Its location makes it ideal for visitors from the surrounding region, its professional approach inspires confidence, and its long opening hours, daily from 08:00 to 01:00, make it one of the most accessible shops in the city. No lounge sofas or mood lighting, just professional expertise and a genuine smile.