Inside Amsterdam’s 2025 Coffeeshop Awards

The 2025 Amsterdam Coffeeshop Awards brought together cannabis lovers from
across the industry—including coffeeshops, staff, brand representatives and
regular patrons—for a weekend of tastings, meetups and shop visits across
the city. Organized by AudioKush, the three-day event, held November 14-16,
has grown steadily since its launch in 2021 and now serves as an annual
record of where Amsterdam’s coffeeshop community stands and how it
continues to grow.

To gain a better understanding of the cultural significance of the Amsterdam
Coffeeshop Awards, it is helpful to examine how Amsterdam’s coffeeshops
originated. In the 1970s, the city started allowing small-scale cannabis
sales under controlled conditions. This wasn’t legalization, but it wasn’t
an underground loophole either. Rather, it was a practical harm-reduction
strategy that eventually shaped Amsterdam’s identity as one of the world’s
most recognized cannabis destinations.

For many international visitors, especially those from countries with
strict laws, coffeeshops were the first place they saw cannabis handled as
a normal part of daily life. Customers could sit down, read a menu, and ask
staff about different strains—something that didn’t exist anywhere else at
the time. As the years passed, coffee shops became an integral part of the
city’s cultural landscape, influenced by music, art, hospitality, food and
nightlife. They also became an early example for policymakers looking to
understand what a regulated cannabis environment could look like.

The Amsterdam Coffee Shop Awards draw on that history. Rather than simply
naming winners, they aim to recognize the people and businesses that
continue to shape a culture built over decades.
*How The Judging Process Works*

The awards are split into two sections with distinct judging methods. The
Consumer Choice categories are decided by public voting, giving a clear
picture of what regular coffee shop customers and visitors value most
across the city. For the Industry Awards, over the course of a week, a
panel of 25 industry professionals independently samples and scores the
city’s best flower, hash, pre-rolls, edibles, coffeeshops and concentrates.
Each product is independently evaluated in a blind taste test, with no
branding or identifying information provided to the judges, ensuring that
assessments focus solely on quality. Together, these two approaches reflect
both the community’s preferences and the standards recognized by industry
professionals.

The awards gala was held on Docks 1, a smoker-friendly boat cruise and
Amsterdam’s largest floating venue, which capped off a three-day stretch of
meet-ups, coffeeshop visits, tastings and late-night parties. According to
Russell D, marketing director for Amsterdam Coffee Shop Awards, a total of
200 industry professionals were aboard the awards cruise. By the time the
winners were announced, most people in the room had already shared a joint,
a conversation, or at least a handshake somewhere else in the city.

Now, let’s take a look at this year’s full list of winners.
*2025 Consumer Choice Awards* [image: Barney's Farm]

These categories were decided entirely by public vote; the customers,
locals and visitors who give Amsterdam’s coffeeshops their character.

- *Coffeeshop of the Year: Barney’s Coffeeshop*: *Barney’s secured the
title for a second consecutive year, becoming the first coffeeshop to
achieve this accolade in the Awards’ history. Regulars often point to the
same combination: a staff that treats hospitality as a skill, a menu that
evolves without chasing fads, and genetics that continue to attract
international attention.*
- *Budtender of the Year: Lily @ Barney’s Coffeeshop*: *Lily explains
products simply and offers trusted advice, earning strong support from
regulars.*
- *Most Knowledgeable Staff: Balou*: *Balou’s staff is known for clear,
informative explanations, with Riccardo praised for his easy communication.*
- *Content Creator of the Year: Corax Dewai*:* Corax’s candid coverage
captures daily coffeeshop life, resonating with local and online audiences.*
- *Best Coffeeshop Menu: Barney’s Coffeeshop*: *Barney’s menu remains
one of the most curated in the city. The selection changes often enough to
stay relevant without abandoning long-loved classics. The approach keeps
the list focused instead of overwhelming.*
- *Best Coffeeshop Art Exhibit: “The Grand History of Cannabis,” Mossy
Giant @ De Kade*: *The exhibit paired illustration with cultural
references to create a visual timeline of cannabis history. It drew
consistent attention for being engaging without feeling like a museum
piece.*
- *Best Indoor Coffeeshop Lounge: Prix d’Ami*: *Prix d’Ami offers
diverse lounge spaces, maintaining a cohesive, welcoming atmosphere despite
its size.*
- *Best Outdoor Coffeeshop Lounge: Katsu*: *Katsu’s terrace in De Pijp
remains a steady favorite. It draws both locals and visitors, offering a
secluded, relaxed spot away from the busier tourist zones.*
- *Best Coffeeshop Outside Amsterdam: Hunter’s Zandvoort*: *Hunter’s
Zandvoort brings the brand’s style to a very different environment: the
coast. Its 40th anniversary added weight to the win.*
- *Best Smoker-Friendly Lounge: Barney’s Uptown*: *Barney’s Uptown feels
comfortable and lived-in, with praised seating, drinks, and unobtrusive DJ
sets.*
- *Best CBD Brand: Mystery Bees*:* Mystery Bees’ small-batch, simple
approach and consistent, clean flavors earned high voter recognition.*
- *Best 420 Event or Experience: Buddha Lounge Boat*: *The Buddha Lounge
Boat offers a slow, scenic session on the city’s waterways. It continues to
attract people seeking a relaxed, floating alternative to land-based
coffeeshop visits.*
- *Favourite Coffeeshop Pet: Mr. Pumba*: *Mr. Pumba is a coffeeshop
fixture, well-known and frequently featured in city lore and photos.*

*2025 Industry Awards: Blind-Tasting Results* [image: Mimosa Strain]*Pictured
Strain: Mimosa*

These awards focus strictly on what’s in the jar, not the noise behind it.
*Sativa*

- *1st: Jus D’Orange (The Old Church)*: *A bright, citrus-forward
profile that hits like a glass of freshly squeezed juice.*
- *2nd: Mimosa (7th Heaven)*:* Clementine x Purple Punch genetics
deliver a fruit-driven and approachable profile.*
- *3rd: B45 (Cream Pheno) (THC Turbine)*: *Smooth and easygoing, the B45
cream phenotype is the perfect modern sativa.*

*Haze*

- *1st: G13 Haze (Coffeeshop Blue Sea)*:* A classic haze profile built
on earth, pine, and citrus, with long-lasting clarity. This cross of G13
and Hawaiian Sativa, G13 Haze, is an Amsterdam classic.*
- *2nd: Super Silver Haze (Coffeeshop Central)*: *Delivered with its
usual lemon-spice expression, this legendary cultivar is a cross of Skunk,
Northern Lights, and Haze.*
- *3rd: Amnesia (Coffeeshop 7th Heaven)*: *Sharp and uplifting, true to
its long-standing reputation of being a benchmark for haze connoisseurs.*

*Indica*

- *1st: Uncle Snoop (Coffeeshop Barney’s)*: *Dense, frosted buds with
vanilla-berry notes and a steady, relaxing effect that’s true to its
namesake.*
- *2nd: Black Cherry Gelato (Coffeeshop Hunter’s)*: *Sweet, rounded, and
well-suited to late-day use.*
- *3rd: Dark Matter (Coffeeshop The Old Church)*: *This earthly strain
delivers a calming finish that melts away tension and guides you into
restful sleep.*

*Hybrid*

- *1st: Baker’s Man (Coffeeshop Relax)*: *Warm, pastry-like aromatics
and a sociable, mellow effect.*
- *2nd: Super Boof (Coffeeshop Hunter’s)*: *Tropical citrus punch
flavors and a euphoric twist.*
- *3rd: Zillions (Coffeeshop Barney’s)*: *Sweet, expressive, and notably
potent, this balanced hybrid crosses Original Z and Lemon Cherry Gelato and
features a notably high THC and terpene content.*

*Traditional Hash*

- *1st: Zero Zero (Coffeeshop Relax)*: *Soft, aromatic, and reminiscent
of classic Moroccan craftsmanship.*
- *2nd: Champagne (Coffeeshop 7th Heaven)*: *A sweet, smooth flavor with
a bright finish for those who prefer a more polished take on traditional
hash.*
- *3rd: Glumosa (Coffeeshop Central)*: *Rich resin flavor and a bold
presence make this a full-flavored hash for true aficionados.*

*Static Hash*

- *1st: Forbidden Fruit × Fruit Joy (Coffeeshop The Old Church)*: *Layered,
fruit-led flavor with balanced effects, this is a complex and utterly
unique cultivar.*
- *2nd: Painkiller (Coffeeshop Relax)*: *Perfect for those seeking a
smooth, calming, full-body high.*
- *3rd: K1 (Coffeeshop Reefer)*: *Reliable potency and intense effects.*

*Ice Water Hash*

- *1st: Grape Gas WPFF (Coffeeshop Terps Army)*: *Solventless, bold, and
smooth with terpenes that burst from the jar, a testament to modern
extraction craft.*
- *2nd: Hawaï WPFF (Coffeeshop Hashtag)*: *Creamy, layered and bursting
with mango, pineapple, and passion fruit notes.*
- *3rd: RS11 Piatella (Coffeeshop Terps Army)*: *Soft texture and floral
aromatics.*

*Live Rosin*

- *1st: Grape Gas (Coffeeshop Terps Army)*:* The pinnacle of purity and
potency.*
- *2nd: Oishii (Green Gold)*: *Creamy, rich, and sweetly layered notes.*
- *3rd: Banana Punch (Coffeeshop 7th Heaven)*: *Sweet, floral and a must
for flavor hunters.*

*Premium Pre-roll*

- *1st: Heavenly Beltz Donut (Coffeeshop 7th Heaven)*: *Perfectly
constructed with top-shelf flower and rosin.*
- *2nd: Gelato 33 Hash Hole (Coffeeshop Balou)*: *Creamy, gassy and a
powerful dessert for grown-ups.*
- *3rd: #thegasbomb Donut (Coffeeshop Hashtag)*: Gassy and bold, with a
clean, punchy finish.

*Edibles*

- *1st: Pistachio Cheesecake (Let’s Get Baked × Coffeeshop The Old
Church)*: *Nutty, creamy, and decadently dosed, this edible is both a
culinary and cannabis masterpiece.*
- *2nd: Mango Mouse (Made To Be Baked × Coffeeshop Sativa)*: *Light,
tropical, and easy to enjoy.*
- *3rd: Tartlet Sampler (Petit 420)*: *Offers multiple flavor
experiences in one serving.*

*CBD*

- *1st: Lemon Cherry CBD (Coffeeshop Relax)*: Citrus-forward with a
mild, steady effect.

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