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Review by goodie, 09-21-06 not bad

this place cops alot of bad press from visitors to amsterdam, mainly along the lines that it's the mcdonalds of coffeeshops and thus should be avoided. sure, there's better places to smoke but the bulldog really isn't that bad. downstairs in the snug booths was really enjoyable and the gear was fine, although not cheap and not expansive. i bought a pre-rolled joint and i don't know what it was but i got about a third of my way through it before me and my mate thought it best that we smoke the rest later. talk about ripped. sure, it's commercial, and the bloke selling the pot was completely indifferent and rude as only dutch men can be but other staff were fine and the location really is hard to beat. give it a try with an open mind and you might be surprised.

Review by a visitor, 08-16-06 milkshake

nice place but nothing special especially as far as weed is concerned.the music is not its strong point as it is very mainstream and commercial and not what you would expect from a coffeeshop.it has though the best milkshake i've ever tasted and being in amsterdam twice i think truying it is a must.so take a joint and taste its milkshake trust me

Review by cameron, 03-18-05 walked in walked out .

i walked in and walked back out again. the vibe just was'nt what i was looking for. seemed more geared for tourists than locals.

Review by matias (poland), 03-18-05 just go there and smoke da weed allya. that's all

as i has already written the main point of going to the bulldog is to have fun. the bulldog definately offers fun! you know what i mean. that's all for the moment. anyway we should be greatful for the bulldog. god bles it

Review by kirk caldy, 01-17-05 why the hate?

i have been to this cs loads of times, and i just cannot see what people's problems are. the staff are always friendly, the coffee is seriously good (esp the bulldog coffee), and the pre-rolled sensimilla was the only product that made me giggle on my last trip.

Review by a visitor, 08-28-04 oh dear...

well it was my first time in the dam, im a young british female(19)and i must admit i was treated fairly well, but the jailer and the bar staff were a bunch of fuckin' dicks. so we sat on the terrace and pleased ourselfs, as far as buying the over priced drinks go...no fuckin way! this time i am gonna take the time to find a decent smoke shop with nice staff, erm...any fuckin ideas??

Review by bret, 06-16-04 don't go there, the staff sucks

i have been to a-dam many times. i have given all of the bulldogs several chances to just be decent. they have failed me everytime. the staff is very unfriendly except late at night. i asked the jailer(weed seller) to see a couple of different kinds of weed. his first comment 'are you going to buy any?' no, asshole, i am just looking. any other shop in town will be glad to let you look and choose, and they are happy to tell you what they know about their products. the bull dog is just a tourist trap. however, i did go and use there internet a few times. i just took my own weed and drink and went in and sat down at a computer that still had time on it from a previous user. so free internet. their only asset.

Review by flying dutchman, 08-28-03 no on bulldog yes to dampkring/tweed kamer

the bulldog palace has an unfriendly staff who has their noses in the air when it comes to service. the weed/hash is third rate. go to da dampkring or its sister store, tweed kamer, for your stash and friendly service. grey area and greenhouse effect are also a good bet.

Review by goreki, 08-25-03 dumpkring for ever!!!!

absolutely the best: friendly atmosphere&highest quality ;););). plus, never forget baba!!!

Review by foxie, 08-12-03 slightly unfair methinks

the bulldog is an okay place to hang out.we sat out on the terrace, had okay pot, the drinks were averagely priced and the staff were very friendly.

Review by ellie, 03-04-03 wot can i say............

as a student visitingthe bulldog on a low budget, i was disgusted at the constant pressure to buy their goods. also, stayin at the bulldog, the rooms were crap(even though 'new' renovation) and the facilities on the website, non existant.......ah well.......i was a student, but even a student can afford better... i ended up leaving and going somewhere else.......if youve allready booked (poor you)either cancel or do what i did and leave....

Review by richard townend, 02-14-03 as bad as everyone else says

we ended up in here when the rest of our group went into the utter shite that is the bar upstairs. when you're stoned a pumping sports bar is not what you need! the coffeeshop was slightly better. but only in that it was quieter. we smoked our own and bought an overpriced soft drink. only worth going if there's no other option nearby.

Review by dude, 01-18-03 mcdonalds of coffee shops

by that i mean they are everywhere. as far as the quality of weed, don't know cause i came w/my own. but, the dog was my first experience in a coffee shop back in 81 and i always stop there to reminisce and that's why i give it a good rating. they're always packed. my fav was the dampkring

Review by highway101, 01-09-03 nice to sit in the window...sometimes

the reason that the bulldog and the grasshopper do so well despite bad service is because there are two types of visitor to the coffee shops of amsterdam. the first is the type that generally posts to message boards like this. someone who actually gives a s**t about the quality of the weed they are smoking and the environment in which they do it. the second is what, in my experience, has become the most common vistor to amsterdam. he or she who arrives with no idea where they are going or what to do but to try and enjoy the freedom that amsterdam can offer. they usually try and drink as much, smoke as much, watch as much porn they can and generally disrupt the enjoyment of type 1 (myself included). they dont care where they go and quite often they will never return to amsterdam. they dont care whether the sensimellia superskunk in the bulldog is not as good as the jack herer from the bluebird - it gets them stoned. its still going to be better than the trash they smoke at home. therefore the bulldog offers flashing lights, booze and pot - a magnet to these people. in other words - we dont want the bulldog or the grasshoper to improve. let those that dont appreciate the finer points of amsterdam culture leave it to those that do. do you really want those that enjoy the bulldog to start coming into de kuil or the good greenhouses? keep up the bad service the bulldog!

Review by soeast, 12-24-02 why?

why, and how are they still in business? any good reviews for this chain come from the people (moles) who work for the owner. do not listen. we, as patrons from throughout the world must unite and make sure that we are ensured good, honest, and worthwhile places to visit. after all, the tourist trade brings in over a billion a year. imagine if this chain lost their share. i think it would raise others who operate in the same manner to shape up, or ship out! just my two cents worth.

Review by stoner entrepreneur, 11-11-02 an embarrassment to coffeeshops

dear bulldog coffeeshop chain owner, i don't understand why you don't respect your own investment. there are at least a dozen bulldogs all over the city, your name is the most recognizable in the international coffeeshop/cannabis scene, and you are located in some of the best real estate in europe. why do you persist on sucking?! talk to most any tourist or local and they will tell you about your reputation. your weed is poor quality, your employees are rude and undertrained, and the overall experience is very artificial. you have the potential to become a true dynasty in the business. why are you never in the cannabis cup, surely you have the connections to acquire high quality gear if you chose. you could be setting trends in the industry, but have chosen the path of mismanagement, limited profits, and lowest common denominator. get a clue.

Review by silver, 10-08-02 nice ladies, good atmos, crap weed

a saturday night in the main bar is pretty chilled out- good choons and nice ladies but the weed is awful and there is a tendency to meet english stag party knob ends.

Review by somebozo, 10-03-02 dont even bother...

we went to the bulldog lounge in the mini rld near the rennaisance hotel. the place itself is very nice, nice seats, nice wooden bar. but the staff spoil it, ignorant, make you wait while they finish a combo, constantly checking if you have drink left. hate the place. do yourself a favour and dont even bother. there are plenty of shops top check it, avoid, avoid!!!

Review by smoker bob, 08-06-02 better off going almost anywhere

these places, all of them, are tourist shop rip offs and should be avoided at all costs. bad atmosphere, forced buying of merchandise and lousy people.

Review by a visitor, 07-26-02 strongarm assholes on spuistraat

the bulldog at the top of spuistraat has a short nasty old black man who is the 'hired enforcer' i sat at the computer surfing and chilling, and watched him approach several groups of well-behaved young tourists leaning over the tables in their faces telling them that they hadn't bought anything in over fifteen minutes. lecturing them about the house rules, which seemed to consist of different ways of scaring naive americans when they are drunk or stoned. he approached another table who had just made a purchase at the counter, telling them that they couldn't use their own pipe. he said they would have to buy one from their display or leave. i was so appalled, that i walked out muttering something about dope nazis, ok, i wasn't exactly muttering.

Review by european, 06-01-02 filthy

we sat down outside at the leidseplein shop. all the empty tables were absolutely filthy and were looking as they hadnt been cleaned all day and after waiting ten minutes nobody had come to clean or take our order so we left again.

Review by crystal marie, 04-20-02 they are everywhere

very commercial. was nice though. of course i will go back. but it is very commercial

Review by a visitor, 02-11-02 the first one was nice

there are lots of bulldogs....but the original one in the red light district was fun....sit in the window seat and watch the tourist and the hookers ,,,,,,too much fun.....kinda of a young crowd there

Review by a visitor, 01-28-02 an interesting experiance

a lasting memory, one which will be talked about for many years to come! the coffee was good too! between the joint al a carte and the superskunk, i had a good time!

Review by a visitor, 11-29-01 the first, not the best, maybe the biggest

the bulldog might claim to be the first and the best but i have to say that they are not the best. if you would like to buy good ghanja do not get it here, there are so many other good places to get your shit. the bulldog is a good place to hang out in if you happen to get the right staff, there are many lcations and all are different i found, even the staff varies from location to location.there is appearently a new coffeeshop in the spuistraat geared towards techies, in a english pub setting..cool..but is the smoke still good?

Review by dadoc, 10-12-01 good position

i drank two cups of coffie verkeerd at the leidseplein bulldog, the coffee was good, the first waiter very friendly but the second guy was weird. instead of a cookie he brought me a satchel of coconut tea ! and no saucer for the cup. i didnt sample the weed but for hanging out and watching the invisible man perform on the leidseplein it was good.

Review by a visitor, 08-30-01 not as bad as people say

i stopped at the bulldog a few times on my last trip. i was only able to visit th shop on leidseplein. the location was nice. i was able to relax out front and people watch as i burned a fatty. i was also surprised in the weed that i got. i dont remember what the price was but it was a skunk strain. i hate to say this but... i would visit again.

Review by destroyah, 07-14-01 rude staff and shitty weed

bull-dog? bull-shit is more like it. this was by far the worst coffeeshop i visited the entire trip!!! the people were rude and the weed sucked. i bought 2gm of something that was supposed to be white widow, but smelled like mildew. this is a place for people that don't know their gear. if you've ever bought weed from this dump, i feel sorry for ya. bollocks to the bulldog!!!!!

Review by a visitor, 05-30-01 location location location

the bulldogs are all well located and nicely appointed in typical pub fashon. if they sold better weed they'd get 5 stars from me.

Review by Bon Bon Billy, 04-04-01 For the tourists ... friendly service

Not the best grass but good service is the calling card here. The bulldog staff knows who butters the bread and tourists are treated very well. I had no problems here other than getting a seat sometimes. The place was usually crowded but the staff kept the place moving so there were no long waits. I also will say that because of the tourist atmosphere and crowded tables that your chance at meeting new friends is better here than other more locally oriented shops.

Review by steve , 02-24-01 BULLDOG COFFEE IN THE MORNING !

I stayed near the Leidseplein in Nov. for 5 days and had my morning cup of Bulldog coffee with whipped cream on it and it got so that I looked forward to it everyday. The important part is to get a table outside in the glass enclosed area and fire up your morning smoke and tune yourself in to the excitement of the start of another electrical day in Amsterdam, but don't make the Bulldog your focal point. I was treated very well at the bar each evening also.

Review by Raymond Iwata, 02-21-01 Retraction!

I wrote a good review in 1998 but am forced to eat my words! The place (especially the staff) has gone to hell in a handbag! I'll give them one more chance when I return next month but I fear the worst! Try the Greenhouse! At least they are friendly!

Review by Jim, 02-08-01 one good thing about the liedsplien bulldog:

Its close to the pancake place across from the marriot!! you can use it as a landmark for which way to go as long as it is away from them!!!

Review by KJ, 11-29-00 Changed my opinion

I wrote a good review of the Bulldog on the Leidsesplein and having just returned from my second trip to Amsterdam I am forced to agree with most others, IT SUCKS! The place is torn all to hell and there is no bar downstairs just the gift shop where you buy the weed and tourist crap. The attitude of the staff sucks and with so many good shops within ten minutes walking distance don't waste the time or your money, go to a shop that deserves your business.

Review by skyhigh420, 11-21-00 this place sucks..all locations

what a shitty 'chain' shop. Bad weed, bad prices, just in it for the money. avoid at all costs!!

Review by a visitor, 11-17-00 staff with attitude.

was there in 11/26/00 I asked for a glass of wine and got dish water. the grass was boring,and the staff was obnoxious

Review by a visitor, 11-09-00 The bulldog blows

Shitty staff, shitty weed, shitty atmosphere. Amsterdam has alot of great places to go and hang out, but the bulldog isn't one of them.

Review by george, 11-06-00 eight years smokin( bull )and others

some staff usual nazis at the door others v\good ,barstaff always helpfull,expensive second rate hash with an occasional good piece at an inflated price. grass is also mostly over priced and over rated. but a good place to watch the talent from and in?.

Review by Gaz Edwards, 11-02-00 English pubs

It's just like a pub in england, dead loud music, drunken yobbos and nowhere to sit down. Didn't buy any weed from there as it was expensive for what they'd got. Served the purpose during the afternoon though, game of pool and a smoke. But would avoid at other times as not really a place i'd wanna chill out and chat in.

Review by Veronica W, 08-24-00 Avoid the Bulldog at all costs

I agree with Tracey C. I was present the night of the Fireworks incident. I found the bar staff rude and arrogant, it is like they are doing you a favour by serving you, the management are pigs and quality of the dope, well I have smoked tastier toenail clippings and gotten higher. Leave this tourist cesspit well alone

Review by a visitor, 08-19-00 Good for what it is

I was in Amsterdam in June'00 and I stayed just off the Leidsplein and would go there in the morning for a cup of coffee and a morning toke. I found the staff very friendly and the weed very good and the coffee was actually pretty good. I didn't go upstairs just hung-out in front and watched Amsterdam wake up. Don't discount this place based on a couple of bad reviews, it was great for the time of day I was there, although things may change at night.

Review by Tracey C, 08-08-00 Bulldog is a complete no-no

Had a bad experience in the Bulldog Palace in Leidseplein recently. Firework from a stage show showered over myself and my friends, burning holes in a jacket and a pair of trousers. On speaking to the manager, he got aggressive and the Police had to intervene. Myself and my friends will not be setting foot in there again.

Review by Adam (yes that, 07-18-00 gets a bad rep

I was in the bulldog hotel Nov. '98... nothing to write home about but everyone there was cool. We didn't spend too much time there except to sleep. The 'energy cafe' next door was the day's usual starting spot, one of my buddies spent something like an hour there playing one game of pinball and groups of people were always coming in and out on a regular basis. The other bar next to the narrow alley with the big booths on the lower level was the shit... we tried the Copelandia mushrooms one night and ended up hanging out down there for probably four hours or so and they didn't give us a hard time for taking up space. The TV screens in every corner were key... we watched the end of 'air force one' and then a bunch of sports bloopers. A couple guys came in decked out in military uniforms... I think they were buying weed, i dunno (had too many other things going on in my head). Bottom line, people like to rip on the Bulldog and yes you can better but it doesn't deserve the 'shitty ripoff' label.

Review by Armbar, 06-05-00 Not a bad place to smoke if you're in the area

While I wouldn't buy the weed from here, the smoking area is pretty cool. In the coffeeshop basement, the back room where you can sit on the benches next to the large marijuana plants is a cool place to smoke. The bar right next door is also really cool.

Review by Vibeke, 04-13-00 Overcommercialized dump!

Zes, that*s exactly what it is. Maybe it was a nice place once upon a time, but now it's filled up with loud weed-tourists who also consum too much alc. Was in there once...stood in line for buzing some weed for ages, left again without buzing, and went Abraxas instead, now thats the place to go. Just an advice, stay out of the Bulldog!

Review by Niki Aparicio, 01-24-00 Niki Aparicio, Jan 18-21 2000, Great Times

Jan 23rd 2000, Just got back from the dam with 3 of my friends, we stayed in a perfectly located hotel and did alot of walking. there is lots!! of walking. : ) This Coffeshop though, it rocks. The cheba is good, and good prices that won't empty your wallet. I would reccommend this place to anyone.

Review by Simon Andrews, 11-05-99 Coolest Hotel in Amsterdam

In what other Amsterdam Hotel can you share a joint with the staff and then have full casual sex in the corridors with one of the other guests? The Bulldog hotel symbolizes the very essence of Amsterdam. 'The Bulldog of Liberty'. The manager, Jim, is totally relaxed. Claudia the receptionist is so diplomatic and totally wasted in this place. Claudia speaks three languages fluently and can shout in at least five. They have an english receptionist called Adam who was head-hunted for his knowledge of Narco-tourism. Adam does not speak dutch, but can laugh loud and consistently in three languages. Babs is another receptionist who can single-handedly destroy drunken groups of english hooligans just by scowling at them. The Bulldog is not just a Hotel, but a travel experience in its own right, and should not be missed, however, you must bring your sense of humour with you.

Review by Laurie, 08-23-99 warning!!!! don't stay at the Bulldog hotel

We stayed there in march of 99 and it was the seeediest dive I have ever seen. It (my room) reeked of methane gas forom the open drain in the bathroom, which had no shower curtain so as you are getting clean you get the whole frickin bathroom wet. the curtains over my window were hung with 3 hooks so the moring sun was all you needed to wake up bright and early. The bed was a cot in disguise, no place to hang my clothes and the carpet had not been vacummed. It was a total bummer but since I had paid when I checked in what was I to do? The people working there were cool but it was a totally rotten place to stay. So do yourself a favor and go to the Amstel Botel it is a night at the Rits compared to the Bulldog and is just a few guilders more expensive.

Review by a visitor, 08-23-99 what didn't I do at the bull dog

Got to amsterdam and party my a** off, yet the striptease I did at the bullDog wil be the most memmorable part of my trip..; and if I ever fing the person who gave me the 5 guilders while stripping.... I WILL THANK HER FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART it was an awsome experience and keep on rocking!

Review by a visitor, 07-28-99 Place where good tourist can do bad things

I visited the Bulldog on June 23, 1999 as a curious tourist to experience Amsterdam's tolerant lifestyle. The Bulldog was like a one stop shop for me. Downstairs I purchased 4 high quality reefers and tried them. Then we went Upstairs where there was a guy on stage doing a striptease to the full monty. Sex and drugs in one night. What more can a tourist want?

Review by mike balzer, 07-26-99 SHUT THIS PLACE DOWN

bad aptmosphere, bad service, bad chairs, bad music, bad drinks, bad bad bad bad bad bad bad.... never again. never again. considering the number of decent places to smoke in a half km radius, i can't understand why people are always there. touristy, noisy, annoying, bland and completely lacking identity, this place should be avoided at all costs. the pot we smoked there was quite good. so go ahead and buy a bag, but if you want to enjoy it, take it somewhere else. anywhere else.

Review by SOMA, 04-29-99 comments on the Bulldog.........

Bulldog is like the McDonald's of Amsterdam coffeeshops! Shitty service, very limited and mediocre selection, and jam packed full of tourists (most of which aren't regular smokers and could care less what they're smokin'). The music selection is horrible, the atmosphere is loud and obnoxious.. the exception: the bulldog that's by the Old Church(in the RedLight Dis.) is a great stop if you've been window shopping around Sexy Land and you need someplace to sit, smoke a joint, and contemplate on making a choice of a female. There is a direct entrance downstairs and their are some very comfortable booth type seats. regardz, SOMA visit the Amsterdam Coffeeshop Review at: http://home.sprintmail.com/~guyute/ nuff said.. flavors to savor: not much.....'cept maybe, the Dutch Star = tastee bIo

Review by , 04-27-99 Only tourists go there

The Bulldog is full of loud tourists. If you want to real Amsterdam experience go down the street to the Rockerij.

Review by Bob, 04-20-99 Bad vibes and a shitty attitude

I've vowed never to go back again, the upstairs coffeeshop doesn't server beer, fair enough, but when I asked for a coffee the stroppy kid in the dungarees said only cold soft drinks, fine so I had a cassis, 5 minutes later somebody else came in and the kid serving who seemed to know him made him a coffee! The whole place just gives off bad vibes, I wouldn't dream of buying dope here nor hanging around; advice go anywhere else.

Review by Kiva Z, Brooklyn, 03-17-99 The Bouncers Here are Nazi Psychopaths

The Scene: night, October. Sitting alone in front of Bull. w/hot cocoa. Old Brit Guy: "I say, do they provide service out here?" Me: "Well, I sat here for 20 minutes, then some big guy came out and yelled, 'You can't sit there!' So I made him bring me a hot cocoa. But I wouldn't call that 'service'." Him: "No, nor would I. Quite right." Another time I asked one of them to send a waiter out and he glared at me in a way which left distinct impression he wanted to hit me. This was my final visit.

Review by a visitor, 12-25-98 great place

i was there in march of 98 fun place good atmosphere great music goin to stay there next time

Review by Paul Freeland, 11-25-98 I keep on goin back there!

Would recommend the Bulldog to any new visitor to "alternative" (or maybe "normal") Amsterdam. Excellent atmosphere, good Rock'n'roll, no rip-offs. I just keep on goin back there when I visit, which is normally about once a year. Dank u Vaal (sp?)

Review by Raymond Iwata, 11-20-98 Catering to an older crowd!

The Bulldog "PALACE" is an excellent choice for the over 30 crowd. Over the years I have entertained guests at the Palace over cocktails & a smoke. The music is nice, drinks are large, & the smoking environment definatly catering to an up-scale clientele. I'll go back year after year!

Disclaimer. The reviews listed here are written by the visitors of The Channels website and do not reflect the opinion of The Channels.