For the longest time, The Netherlands, specifically Amsterdam, reigned supreme with marijuana cafes on every corner. A place where locals and tourists alike could gather to smoke or fill their stomachs with weed-induced treats. It only took like, one hundred years, but North America is finally catching up! There's competition in the air now for the world's best marijuana cafes. Let's find out where some of the best marijuana cafes are and the do's and don'ts of each one.
Garden Lounge In Vancouver
The next time you're in Vancouver, stop by the Garden Lounge for a smoke or a snack. There are several Garden Lounges across the city, so you may end up having one right in your neighbourhood. For only a $2 cover charge, you can enjoy a smoking circle, an outdoor vapour area (as long as the weather permits), and an arcade area. That's right, you can play arcade games without little kids running around to distract you. Garden Lounge has a highly spiritual atmosphere where customers feel like something bigger, part of a larger puzzle.
Vapor Central In Toronto
On the other side of Canada, you'll find the much-loved Vapor Central, right in the heart of downtown Toronto. The lounge has developed quite a devoted following. It only costs $5 per person to get in — but you could also choose a weekly, monthly, or yearly membership. The schedule at Vapor Central includes a "weedy Wednesday" and "cannabis comedy hour." There's something new going on almost every day of the week, so you'll never get bored! You may, however, leave the place laughing your face off.
Club Ned In The Netherlands
Of course, the original cannabis cafe experience cannot go unmentioned. Club Ned, inspired by the Dutch cannabis cafe tradition, prides itself on being a "club with altitude" — meaning it's only for cannabis enthusiasts. The concept is to have a small, intimate space where people can enjoy each other's company. Not in the mood to be social? No problem! Club Ned has quiet corners where you can just sit and chill. It's well worth a visit if your travels ever take you to The Netherlands, and it's a model that Canadian cannabis lounges are increasingly looking to for inspiration.
The Coffee Joint Model: Cannabis-Friendly Cafes
One of the more innovative concepts emerging in the cannabis lounge scene is the idea of a cafe that, rather than selling cannabis directly, sits adjacent to a licensed cannabis retailer. Think of it as a "Starbucks on steroids." You can sip your morning coffee and walk right next door to purchase cannabis from a licensed retailer under Canada's Cannabis Act. As more provinces develop their consumption lounge regulations, this kind of setup is increasingly being explored across the country. Talk about major convenience!
The Restaurant-Style Cannabis Lounge Experience
One of the most talked-about formats in the cannabis cafe world is the restaurant-style consumption lounge — arguably the concept generating the most excitement globally right now. Here's how it works: you sit down and order off a menu the same way you would at a regular restaurant. But instead of selecting wine, you'll find cannabis offerings. Alcohol is typically not served at these kinds of establishments. Trust us, you don't want to mix THC and alcohol. It usually doesn't end well. Instead, order a sandwich, a lemonade, and your favourite strain. You can even roll your joints yourself!
Great, now we've made ourselves hungry, thirsty, and in the mood for an "elevated" experience. Don't worry if a cannabis consumption lounge hasn't opened up in your neighbourhood just yet. As we speak, more and more cannabis lounges are in the works throughout Canada, with provinces continuing to develop frameworks that allow for these kinds of social consumption spaces.