The Flying Pig Downtown Hostel

Mixed feelings
I definitely have mixed feelings about this place. It was in a great location, close to everything you might want to do, and it was very safe (someone in our room tried to sneak his girlfriend in for free, but was caught because security is pretty good there), but the hostel definitely needs a good cleaning. I was in a shared "queen-sized" bed that looked pretty old and grungy compared with the new single beds the rest of the dorm was comprised of. It was also unfortunate that my boyfriend and I were given incredibly small, old lockers while everyone in a single got huge lockers under their beds. Consider this when choosing your bed situation! Breakfast was pretty good compared with other hostels we've stayed at, but everything smells like pot, so it might not taste as good as it would in other places. The lobby was full of people sitting on bean bags smoking, but that was a lot of fun to participate in, and watch, and it is Amsterdam, so anyone expecting the place to be pot free is being ridiculous. The internet was free, too, so that's a definite plus. This is a fun, social hostel, but I think I would stay somewhere else before this one again.

Excellent
Yes, it is true the bathrooms and rooms are not as clean as other hostels, but the staff are incredibly helpful, and the people staying there can all become your friends in like a minute. The breakfast was good, it was not as noisy as you might expect, the beds were comfy, security was tight, and it is greatly located, right in the heart of amsterdam in one of the main shopping streets. I will come back because it is part of the amsterdam experience, when i am forty, i'll go to a hotel, but for youngsters it is amazing!

One of my favourites between my two EuroTrips
I had a really fun time there. The lobby is really bumping -- pool table, bar, sometimes DJ at nights, decent music all the time, and an incredible cushioned area where people chill out, blaze, read. No shoes allowed! This made it pretty easy to strike up a conversation and relax. I really enjoyed the vibe and feel of the place. It also has a basement with couches and an elevator for upper floors. Beware though -- if you don't like pot, the lobby is not the place for you. As far as rooms -- I stayed in a six-person. Four of those people were couples sleeping on two queen sized couple beds. Bathroom en-suite. Was a bit grungy but generally clean -- did not feel "gross." Maybe a bit overpriced -- 30ish Euros (or something like that - not exactly sure) for six-person? But this is Amsterdam, so relative to other places, the price is the same. Bit the bullet in this town with accommodation, and book early! Fills up way in advance. Location is good (be careful -- busy!) but security is great considering location. Need to enter via code and need keycard to enter. My buddy didn't like the Pig as much as me -- he'd probably give it a two and a half or three star, but he didn't hate it. As for me, it was definitely one of my favourites, and I have traveled the past two summers. I loved it!

Not the cleanest but a damn good time
I stayed at the Flying Pig the last weekend in June. It's a really good time. Really easy to meet people, most people staying there know that the flying pig is a party hostel so they are very approachable. I went with one other guy and stayed for three days, we met a ton of cool people and explored the city with them. The social aspect of the Pig is good, however it is not the cleanest hostel. The washrooms are pretty bad, and they never really seemed to be cleaned. I stayed in a eighteen-person dorm and people were loud if you were trying to sleep, and doors are constantly slamming. I think I probably slept for about five hours in three days, but it was worth it. Bottom line is the Pig is for having a good time and not for sleeping, so be prepared. and yes it's incredibly smoky, but it's a hostel in Amsterdam!

Amazing
this was the best hostel ever. the reception/bartenders are amazing and so helpful. the hostel was super clean and everyone was so friendly. you are in amsterdam -- if you do not want to smoke then do not come to amsterdam. dont come and complain because people are smoking. this hostel encourages people to hang out together by having a chill out area as well as a basement lair. it was so much fun and i would never stay anywhere else. they also close the curtains and keep their bar open for two extra hours and if you want sleep, you don't hear a thing in your room!

not as great as i imagined. stayed in amsterdam for 4/20 and paid 30 euros a night to stay in a fourteen-bed dorm right above the bar. Two bathrooms for fourteen people and they were never clean! my friend stayed in a six-people room for about 25 euros. fun hostel but i dont think i would stay again for that much money and the state of the rooms.

The hostel itself is ok but everyone who is planing to go there should know that almost every hostel guest will be smoking weed. There is smoke twenty-four hours a day everywhere in the hostel, even near the kitchen and where you're supposed to eat breakfast and your own food. There are very few bathrooms and they are kind of hidden. The beds arent very good and it was very cold. So if you're searching somewhere to smoke weed this is your place, if you're looking for anything else, then get another place!

I had a great time here. But if you aren't in amsterdam to get stoned, this isn't the place to you. The place is practically entirely hotboxed from all the smoke. Also the people were very chill and it was really easy to meet people. Everyone was very friendly and extremely nice. Also, some of the staff were friendly, some were not, it's just the way of the world. If you don't smoke, staying here would probably be a bit awkward. I remember i wanted to take a break, for a day, and it felt a bit weird since there wasn't a single person in the hostel who wasn't blazed. It was actually a bit intense. I met many cool people from all over the world. I had fun, but I'd recommend it only to those who can handle their weed.

This place was amazing. Was my first time in Amsterdam and was backpacking by myself. The airline lost my luggage and the people at the Flying pig did everything the could to make my stay enjoyable

I stayed here in '96 before blogs and websites told the story. The place wasn't the Ritz but it had a great atmosphere. I had learned to avoid the ubiquitous American brainless traveler type and did interact with people from Peru, Norway, South America. I look back on my stay at the Flying Pig fondly. I even re-visted in 2004 -- great memories.

this was the funnest pplace to stay. who cares if the showers are a bit scummy? the staff were cool, and the free brekky ok. i loves the pillow area and the all nite b ar. great position. above all, its not the scary, druggy place its made out to be (but i can be if you want). you can chill here too, and you dont have to get super stoned if you dont want to. loved it. the double bed dorm was cool and cheap

Good central location. The staff were helpful, when they had time to care. Rooms were crammed with beds and people. Toilets and showers were not very clean. Thankfully there was a good ventilation system in the lounge for those of us who like to breathe air.

I thought this place was great. It had a great atmosphere and was a nice place to hang out. I think that the people who hate it are largely those who are uncomfortable with being around people who are "smokin' the wacky tabaccy."

I'm from the U.S. and I detest Americans in their late teens/early 20's (loud), so I was hoping to run into few of them in Amsterdam. As soon as I walked into the Flying Pig, I knew I was in trouble. I'd say 90 percent of the people staying there were under 25 and American, full of liquor and weed, and loud. Even in the Happy Room downstairs, they totally killed my buzz. You don't meet standard backpackers here, but small-brained idiots who stay in little cliques and don't socialize. It totally contradicts what a hostel is meant to be. As far as the hostel is concerned, it was pretty amusing. You'd open a random door, and there would be a toilet (with no sink, eww). One room had a community urinal that probably hasn't been cleaned since 1965. Everywhere were tacky murals in garish colors that clashed with the dingy green carpet. The hostel was a lot bigger than I expected it to be, so there was usually somewhere quiet to escape to. The staff were the worst I encountered in Europe, mainly because they're backpackers who get free room and board for attempting to act interested in the clients. Go to the front desk and chances are you'll be ignored for a few minutes while the bimbo who is supposed to be working there chats on AIM. The rooms were basic. Hostel rooms are all alike, and the condition depends on the people staying there. The shower didn't make me vomit, but it was nothing to brag about. For what you get, it's very overpriced. There is no hostel ambience. I'd recommend it for college girls who are leaving mom and dad for the first time, but not for somebody with a real traveler's spirit.

This is the place to go if you're looking for a chill social atmosphere with tons of laidback, friendly people. The bar in the hostel is probably overhyped, but then again, that's not a place you want to spend a lot of time at while in Amsterdam. The hostel's happy rooom is more preferable. Beware of the rather rude receptionists/bartenders. They clearly aren't as chill as the people who stay at the Flying Pig.