Amsterdam: The Bulldog Boat Smoke-Friendly Cruise & 2 Drinks

Amsterdam’s Bulldog Boat is unusual for one clear reason: adults can bring their own weed and smoke during the canal cruise. You get an hour on a half-open boat, two drinks when departing from Central Station, and an English or Dutch-speaking guide who points out the city as you pass.

I like the easy Central Station location and the relaxed format. I also like that you may bring your own snacks, something many canal boats do not allow. Guides including Roman, Rebecca, and Fred have been praised for mixing jokes with useful city facts.

The tradeoff is simple: this is a social smoke-and-drinks outing, not a quiet, serious history tour. The boat is half open, so cold, rain, and wind can affect your comfort. Bring warm layers and rain gear, even in summer.

Key points before you book

• Two drinks are included: This applies to the Central Station departure. Choose the Leidseplein option and you need to bring your own drinks.
• Bring your own weed and snacks: Nothing of that kind is sold on board, though Bulldog coffee shops are nearby.
• The route covers classic Amsterdam waterways: The boat follows the old city wall, reaches the Amstel River, and passes through the UNESCO-listed canal belt.
• The boat is half open: You get fresh air and clearer views, but weather matters.
• The final departure has a useful finish: The last tour at 8 p.m. or 9:30 p.m., depending on the schedule, ends at Leidseplein.
• It is adults only: Nobody under 18 may join, and the boat is not suitable for wheelchair users or people prone to motion sickness.

A smoke-friendly cruise with a clear purpose

Amsterdam has no shortage of canal boats. Most offer similar water-level views, a seat, and commentary. The Bulldog Boat is aimed at a different kind of outing: you can light up, have a drink, eat your own snack, and watch the city pass without rushing from one sight to the next.

That focus makes the experience appealing for an adult group that wants a relaxed hour. You are not being asked to follow a packed sightseeing schedule. The pace is gentle, and the social mood is part of the point.

I would not choose this as my only Amsterdam history tour. The commentary can be informative, but the main attraction is the atmosphere. One direct assessment described the tour as having plenty of good vibes but not much history. That is fair. You should expect useful observations about the city rather than a detailed lecture.

The staff seem to understand the balance. Roman, Rebecca, Fred, and other guides are praised for being funny, friendly, and willing to answer questions. One particularly useful detail is that some departures may take different paths during the day. If you return to Amsterdam and book again, the route may offer a slightly different view.

Finding the boat beside Central Station

The main departure point is right in front of Amsterdam Central Station, but you need to approach the correct side. Do not head toward the Victoria Hotel side. Look for the tram stops, the stairs leading down to the water, and the blue beach flag marking the Bulldog Boat.

Use Google Maps rather than Apple Maps, since the meeting point can be confusing on some mapping apps. I would arrive at least 15 minutes early. Central Station is busy, and a few extra minutes will save you from searching along the waterfront at the last moment.

This location works well at the start of an Amsterdam visit. You can reach it by train, tram, or on foot from the center, then begin seeing the city without arranging a separate transfer. The meeting point is also close to Bulldog coffee shops if you need to purchase your own weed before boarding. The boat itself does not sell it.

There is also a departure from Leidseplein. The important difference is the drinks arrangement. The Central Station departure includes two drinks, while the Leidseplein option does not, so bring your own drinks if you select that starting point. Check the departure details carefully when booking.

Boarding the half-open Bulldog Boat

The boat is half open, which gives you a better connection to the water and the canal-side buildings than a fully enclosed cabin might. You can look around more easily, take photos, and feel the air as the boat moves through the waterways.

That design is also the main comfort issue. Amsterdam can feel cold on the water, even when the streets seem pleasant. The most useful packing list is simple: warm clothing, a waterproof layer, rain gear, and a camera. If you plan to sit toward the open section, dress for the weather rather than the calendar.

You can bring food, which is a real practical advantage. If you like to settle in with a small snack during a drink and smoke, you do not need to rely on onboard purchases. Bring only what you need for the hour and keep it easy to manage in a seated space.

The boat has been described as clean, comfortable, and well organized. That matters here because the experience depends on feeling at ease for the full hour. The relaxed setting works best when you are not cramped or constantly searching for supplies.

The first drink and the old city wall

Once underway, the format is straightforward. You take a drink, settle into your seat, and listen as the guide introduces the city. The route follows the old city wall before continuing toward the Amstel River.

The old wall section gives the tour a useful opening theme. Amsterdam grew from a fortified settlement, and the waterways helped shape how the city expanded. You do not need a long history lesson to understand the basic idea: the canals were not built only for pretty views. They were tied to defense, movement, trade, and daily life.

The guides appear to present this information in an easy way. You may hear a few facts, ask questions, and return your attention to the water. That suits the tour better than a formal speech would.

The first included drink helps the cruise feel like a complete outing rather than a sightseeing boat that happens to permit smoking. You receive two drinks with the Central Station option, so you can enjoy one early and save the other for later. Additional drinks can be purchased on board according to the supplied details.

Following the Amstel into the canal belt

The route then reaches the Amstel River and continues through the canal belt. This is the strongest sightseeing portion of the cruise. From the water, you get a different angle on Amsterdam’s narrow buildings, canal edges, bridges, and passing streets.

The canal belt is UNESCO World Heritage-listed, and seeing it from a boat makes the city’s layout easier to understand. Streets can make Amsterdam feel like a collection of separate neighborhoods. On the water, the connections become clearer. You see how the canals curve, meet, and open into one another.

The view changes with the hour. A 5 p.m. departure may catch sunset, while an evening ride brings illuminated canals and buildings. The night option has been especially recommended for the lights, though the tradeoff is less detail in the darker sections. Daytime gives you clearer architecture and photographs. Evening gives you a softer, more atmospheric ride.

The commentary varies by guide and departure. Roman has been praised for combining interesting information with a calm delivery, while Rebecca and other crew members have been noted for humor and hospitality. You should expect a guide who keeps the conversation moving, not a recorded audio program.

Two drinks, your own snacks, and your own weed

The value of this cruise depends on how much you want its special rules. At $35 per person, the price is reasonable if you would otherwise pay separately for a standard canal cruise and drinks. The two included drinks from Central Station make the calculation better.

The price is less compelling if you do not smoke, do not drink, and mainly want detailed history. In that case, a conventional sightseeing cruise may suit you better. The Bulldog Boat is selling a particular social setting, not just a seat on the water.

You need to bring your own marijuana. It is not sold on board. You can also bring food, and this is one of the more useful details for people who like a casual, unhurried outing.

Please plan your own consumption sensibly. The boat is shared, and the aim is to keep the mood comfortable for the whole group. If you are sensitive to smoke, this may not be the right cruise for you. The smoke-friendly policy is the reason many people book, but it can also be the reason others choose a different boat.

What the guides add to the hour

The crew is a major part of the experience. A good guide keeps a casual cruise from becoming empty time, and the strongest comments focus on that personal touch.

You may hear city facts, local observations, jokes, and answers to questions as the boat moves. The tone is generally relaxed rather than formal. That works well when you are trying to enjoy the canals, a drink, and a smoke at the same time.

The balance is not perfect on every departure. One assessment felt the guide could have offered more. That is worth keeping in mind if you want a detailed account of Amsterdam’s art, architecture, and history. The crew is usually described as well informed and entertaining, but the depth may vary.

The captain also contributes to the mood. Several accounts describe both the guide and captain as friendly and talkative. That combination helps the hour feel personal instead of mechanical.

Choosing the best departure time

Your choice of departure can change the character of the cruise.

Daytime departures give you the clearest look at the canal houses, bridges, and water. Pick this time if photographs and seeing architectural detail matter most.

Around 5 p.m. can offer sunset views, depending on the season. One couple particularly enjoyed watching the sun set over the canal during this departure.

Evening and night departures are best for illuminated waterways and a more atmospheric setting. The last tour, listed at either 8 p.m. or 9:30 p.m. depending on the schedule, finishes at Leidseplein. That makes it useful if you want to continue your night in that part of the city.

The later ride may be colder, especially on the half-open boat. Bring an extra layer, and do not rely on the included drink to keep you warm.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend the Bulldog Boat to adults who want a light, social introduction to Amsterdam from the water. It suits first-time visitors who want to get their bearings, couples looking for an easy evening activity, and friends who prefer a relaxed hour to a formal sightseeing program.

It also works well as a first-day activity. You get a broad view of the canal belt and may notice areas you want to explore on foot later. The route can help you decide where to spend the rest of your stay.

I would be more cautious about booking it for anyone who dislikes smoke, motion, open-air seating, or group conversation. It is not suitable for children under 18, wheelchair users, or people with motion sickness.

If you want a serious history lesson, choose a more traditional canal tour. If you want city views with a drink, your own snacks, and the freedom to smoke, this cruise offers something the standard boats do not.

Booking details that matter

The cruise lasts one hour. That is long enough to see a good stretch of the canal belt, but short enough to fit between other plans. The time can pass quickly, so I would not book it immediately before a fixed appointment.

The tour is offered in English and Dutch. The Central Station departure includes the canal cruise, a live guide, and two drinks. The Leidseplein departure includes the cruise and guide, but you should bring your own drinks.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps your plans flexible. Arrive 15 minutes early, especially at Central Station.

Should you book the Bulldog Boat?

Book it if you want Amsterdam canal views with a relaxed smoke-and-drinks setting, rather than a formal history tour. The two drinks, central meeting point, snack-friendly policy, and friendly crew make $35 a fair price for the right audience.

Skip it if you want silence, detailed historical commentary, enclosed comfort, or a smoke-free boat. For everyone else, especially adults planning an evening around Leidseplein, this is an easy and distinctive way to spend an hour on Amsterdam’s water.

FAQ

How long is the Bulldog Boat cruise?

The cruise lasts one hour.

Where does the main cruise depart?

The main departure is in front of Amsterdam Central Station, on the side with the stairs leading down to the water. Look for the blue beach flag. It is not on the Victoria Hotel side.

Are drinks included?

Two drinks are included when you choose the Central Station departure. Drinks are not included with the Leidseplein departure, so bring your own for that option.

Can I bring my own weed?

Yes. You may bring your own weed, but it is not sold on board.

Can I bring food onto the boat?

Yes. The Bulldog Boat allows you to bring and eat your own snacks.

Is smoking allowed during the cruise?

Yes. This is a smoke-friendly canal cruise where you can smoke your own weed during the ride.

What languages are available?

The live tour guide speaks English or Dutch.

Is the cruise suitable for children?

No. The activity is not suitable for anyone under 18.

What should I bring?

Bring warm clothing, rain gear, food if you want a snack, and a camera. Arrive 15 minutes before departure.