A picture has recently circulated on Reddit that has some Dutch people in a frenzy — a coffeeshop in central Amsterdam put up a sign with an unusual company policy.
If you want to sit back and relax the good-old-fashioned Amsterdam way, you better be a tourist.
Why’s that? Because locals are now banned from sitting inside and may only get their products for take-away.
Making the most out of Amsterdam tourism
We all know that Amsterdam can be overrun with tourists sometimes, but this coffeeshop on Brouwersgracht said that when life gives you lemons, you make lemonade.
What some see as an overcrowding nightmare, others see as a business opportunity.
At least that’s what they suggest on their controversial sign, which states that they allow only tourists to sit inside to better regulate crowds and focus on their target customer group.
Posts from the amsterdam
community on Reddit
Translation: PICK-UP ONLY! We have chosen to only give local clients the option to pick up products since our coffeeshop primarily focuses on tourists. This policy allows us to better tailor our services to our target group while minimising the pressure and overcrowdedness of our coffeeshop. We value all customers and hope for your understanding of this choice.
This rule is especially ironic in light of the fact that the Dutch drug toleration policy aims to make Dutch coffeeshops less attractive to drug users from abroad.
An honest tourist trap
As you can imagine, Dutch people aren’t impressed with the coffeeshop’s business model, no matter how savvy it is.
The coffeeshop received a lot of less-than-kind messages and felt compelled to respond to the controversy on Reddit.
They claim they’ve “had problems with loitering youth for a long time and have made great efforts to keep them out.”
READ MORE | Smoking weed in Amsterdam: ultimate guide [Updated 2025]
It makes sense, then, that Dutch people would be prohibited from sitting inside while the famously polite and calm young tourists of Amsterdam get the VIP treatment.
Another Redditor had a different explanation: “English translation [of the sign]: Our prices are ridiculous. Locals, please don’t waste your time.”
See, Amsterdammers: they’re looking out for the community. ❤️
Do you think a coffee shop has the right to enforce such an exclusionary company policy? Let us know your thoughts!