Hi PCrackhead
Long time lurker, but saw you thread and wanted to offer a bit of advice as AMS is my passion, although dont get there anywhere as much as I want!
The redlight district is open all night, but as you would expect does quiten down to the hard core few after 3am. It is safe to wander around there, and I have done on my own plenty of times, but would always advise keeping your wits about you. It is no where near as bad as it was 10 years ago, but there are plenty of smack heads who would quite happily help themselves to your money should they get a chance.
It is packed until 2-3am and so cant go too far wrong as there are people everywhere, after 3am I would advise keeping to the main streets, there is no need to go down the alleys anyway.
You will get offer coke on the street and I would avoid it, mate bought some last year and he ended up with a 3 day migraine, so I would avoid and its teh smoke you wnat to enjoy anyway.
I have scored in the bars and has been successful, so if you do meet poeple over there then its a bonus, but dont go looking for it or else you will be dissapointed.
Most coffee shops will let you roll with baccy, and they will come around and ask you to hide the cigarettes/baccy from the tables. Most of teh bars will let you smoke as well.
You will probably find that they will charge you 1 or 2 euros for an ashtray. This money goes into the kitty to pay the fine that they will get. The fine is so small that the odd euro or 2 from every smoker pays it and everyone is happy.
My favourite cafe is De Huil or 420
http://www.420cafe.com/ always good skmoke and great atmosphere. luckily my favourite var is located right next door showing all sports and is smoke friendly
http://www.nightbaramsterdam.nl/UK/homepage/ and is open late
There are some great clubs as well, but get on teh net and find the music that suits you.
If you are trollied during an afternoon and want somewhere to relax in peace then you have to go to Lost in Amsterdam
http://www.lostinamsterdam.com/
For some good trip reports go to:
http://coffeeshopdirect.info/viewforum.php?f=10&sid=131ae7a062bc20dd81564cfcf03809ef
http://www.ignatzmice.com/forums/ This one is a board for teh hookers, but has a great smoke section and fantastic trip reports
Hope this helps, but if you have any questions then let me know
Cheers
Besty