Amsterdam: The Bulldog Boat Smoke and Booze Cruise

Canals, drinks, and a legal smoke break.

The Bulldog Boat offers Amsterdam sightseeing with a relaxed twist: you cruise the old city canals while drinking and smoking your own weed. I like the half-open boat, which gives you better views than a fully enclosed vessel, and I like the friendly English-speaking crews, who add city stories and jokes instead of simply steering in silence. The main drawback is the weather. An open boat can feel cold, especially at night, and heavy rain may cancel the trip.

The one-hour cruise costs about $28 per person, which is fair if you want a canal view plus two included drinks from the Central Station departure. I also like that you may bring your own snacks, something many sightseeing boats do not allow. Just book the correct departure point: the Central Station boat and the Leidseplein boat have different drink arrangements, and your ticket cannot be switched between them.

Key points to know before you go

• Two departure choices: Central Station includes two drinks, while Leidseplein is bring-your-own for drinks, weed, and snacks.
• Smoking is allowed on board: The boat is 420-friendly, but the crew does not sell marijuana or smoking products.
• A short city tour: The one-hour route follows parts of the old city wall, reaches the Amstel River, and passes through Amsterdam’s canal belt.
• Half-open seating: You get open-air views, but you also need warm clothing and rain gear.
• Guides make the difference: Crews are generally friendly, funny, and informative, though some passengers found it hard to hear the commentary.
• Adults only: This is an 18+ activity and is not suitable for children, wheelchair users, or people prone to motion sickness.

Choosing between Central Station and Leidseplein

Your first decision is not the time of day. It is the departure point.

The Central Station option leaves from the main dock in front of Central Station, near The Bulldog. This version includes two complimentary drinks, with beer, wine, or soft drinks available according to the tour information. You still need to bring your own snacks and weed, since neither is sold on the boat.

This is the simpler choice if you want the drinks handled for you. At $28, the two included drinks add real value, especially if you would otherwise buy refreshments before boarding. Central Station is also a practical meeting point if you are arriving by train or spending your first hours around Damrak and the historic center.

The Leidseplein departure is at Leidsekade 100. Here, you bring your own drinks, weed, and snacks. There are no complimentary drinks and nothing is sold on board.

This option suits you if you are already near Leidseplein or want more control over what you drink and eat. It may also be useful if you are staying around the Museum Quarter, Vondelpark, or the nightlife streets west of the canal belt. But check your ticket carefully. The two departure options are separate products, not interchangeable boarding points.

Boarding a half-open Amsterdam canal boat

The boat is designed for relaxed sightseeing rather than a formal dinner cruise. Its half-open layout lets you look up at the narrow canal houses, bridges, and passing streets without viewing everything through a window.

That openness is a major part of the appeal. Amsterdam is best seen at water level, where the canal walls, house fronts, and bridges form a close, constantly changing view. You can watch the city slide by while enjoying your own snack or smoke, rather than sitting in a sealed cabin with a standard sightseeing announcement.

The tradeoff is comfort. Bring a warm layer even in weather that feels mild on land. At night, the cold can be sharp over the water, and one late cruise was described as freezing despite the enjoyable atmosphere. A blanket would be a sensible extra, though the official advice specifically calls for warm clothing and rain gear.

The boat may feel lively as it handles Amsterdam’s tight waterways. One passenger enjoyed the captain’s skilled steering through narrow passages, while another described the movement as part of the fun. If you get motion sick, this is not the right outing for you.

Following the old city wall and the Amstel River

The route may vary, so you should not expect a fixed checklist of landmarks in a precise order. The advertised course follows the old city wall, then heads onto the Amstel River before showing you major parts of Amsterdam’s canal belt.

That route gives the hour some historical shape. You are not only drifting through pretty waterways. You are seeing how the canals relate to the older city, then moving into the wider waterway that helped Amsterdam grow as a trading center.

The Amstel section can provide a welcome change from the narrower canals. On tighter stretches, the boat brings you close to the buildings and bridges. On wider water, you get a little more space to take in the city from a distance.

The guide points out attractions and places of interest along the way. Commentary can include city facts, small stories, and bits of local history. Several crews were praised for being funny and well informed, with Mia receiving particular praise for fun facts and amusing stories. Other guides, including Johan and a captain remembered as Ona, were also singled out for friendly service and confident boat handling.

There is one practical weakness: sound. On some trips, the guide was difficult to hear, either because the boat was handling different groups or because commentary was directed toward one part of the seating area. If learning about Amsterdam is your main goal, a standard sightseeing cruise may offer clearer narration. Here, the atmosphere is at least as important as the facts.

What the guide adds to the hour

The best version of this trip is not a lecture. It is a social canal ride with useful city information woven into the hour.

A good guide may point out famous buildings, explain what you are passing, and answer questions while keeping the tone light. That matters because the smoke-and-drinks idea alone could wear thin after a few minutes. The city views and human storytelling give the activity a reason to exist beyond simply sitting on a boat.

The crews are often praised for being friendly, funny, and attentive. Drinks may be offered at useful moments on the Central Station version, and the staff generally keep the mood calm rather than rowdy. That makes the cruise suitable for couples and small groups who want an easy evening activity.

Still, expectations matter. You may not hear every fact clearly, and the route can change. Some people choose this boat mainly because they want to smoke on the canals, with sightseeing as a bonus. If that describes you, imperfect commentary may not bother you. If you want a polished historical tour, listen carefully before booking.

Smoking and drinking on the water

This is the only Amsterdam canal cruise described here as allowing you to smoke weed and drink on board. The boat is 420-friendly, and you may bring your own marijuana and smoking supplies.

The operator does not sell weed or smoking products. You will need to arrange those before boarding, and the information specifically notes that The Bulldog has coffee shops in the surrounding area. Do not assume that the boat can supply anything once you are on the water.

Food is also bring-your-own. There is no food service on board, but you may bring snacks. That detail is useful for a one-hour cruise because a small snack can make the ride more comfortable, particularly if you are drinking.

The Central Station boat includes two drinks. On the Leidseplein boat, you bring your own drinks and receive no complimentary beverages. This distinction is easy to miss when booking, so check the departure name and inclusions before you pay.

The atmosphere is intended to be relaxed, not a wild party boat. The strongest praise goes to the calm mood, kind crews, city views, and ability to combine a smoke and drink with gentle sightseeing. If you want loud music and a nightclub on water, this may feel too subdued. If you want to slow down for an hour, it is a better fit.

Daylight, sunset, or evening departure?

The cruise lasts one hour, and available starting times depend on the date. An afternoon departure gives you the clearest look at the canal houses and bridges. It is also the safer choice if you are concerned about feeling cold.

A sunset departure can add a memorable backdrop. The water, old buildings, and changing sky give the ride more atmosphere without hiding the details of the city. The timing may also work well before dinner or an evening out.

Night cruises have their own appeal. City lights reflect on the canals, and the relaxed smoking-and-drinking setting can feel especially fitting after dark. Several passengers preferred the evening mood, but the cold becomes a serious factor. Bring a proper jacket, and consider extra warmth if you book a late slot.

Starting times can change, so do not build a tightly packed schedule around an exact cruise hour until you have checked the current availability. Also pay attention to the meeting point. A late booking mistake can mean crossing the city to the wrong dock.

Is $28 good value?

At roughly $28 per person, the cruise offers reasonable value for a one-hour Amsterdam activity.

The Central Station version is the stronger deal if you want drinks. You receive the canal cruise, a live guide, and two drinks, while also bringing your own snacks and weed. The sightseeing is shorter than many traditional canal tours, but the smoking policy and informal setting make it a different product.

The Leidseplein version requires more planning because drinks are not included. Its value depends on your location and what you bring with you. If you are already near Leidseplein, the convenience may balance out the lack of included drinks. If you must travel across town and buy everything beforehand, the Central Station option may make more sense.

You are paying for the setting as much as the route. Amsterdam has many canal cruises, but few let you bring your own food and weed. If that freedom is central to your plans, the price is attractive. If you only want the best historical commentary or the longest possible sightseeing route, compare other cruises before committing.

Comfort, access, and weather limits

This is not a tour to book casually in poor weather. The boat is half open, so wind and rain reach you more directly than on a covered canal vessel. The operator may cancel during heavy rain, with an automatic full refund.

For light rain or cool conditions, dress for the water rather than the street. Warm clothing and rain gear are specifically recommended. A late-night ride can feel much colder than a daytime ride, even if the forecast looks manageable.

The activity is for adults aged 18 and over. Unaccompanied minors are not allowed, and children are not permitted. The boat is also not suitable for wheelchair users, and people with motion sickness are advised to avoid it.

The tour returns to the meeting point, which makes it easy to fit into an evening plan. Still, leave a little breathing room around the one-hour duration. Canal traffic, boarding, and route changes can affect the exact finish time.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would recommend it to adults who want a casual canal experience rather than a formal sightseeing program. It works particularly well for couples, friends, and first-time Amsterdam visitors who want to see the canal belt while enjoying their own drinks and smoke.

It also suits repeat visitors. You may already know the major museums and squares, but a canal ride offers a different view of the city. One passenger enjoyed the cruise so much that they booked it again the next day, and a different route made the second trip feel fresh.

The activity is less suitable for families, visitors with limited mobility, and anyone who needs a fully enclosed boat. It is also not ideal if your priority is a perfectly clear historical narration. Sound can be uneven, and the route is not guaranteed to follow exactly the same path each time.

The crew is a major part of the experience. Guides such as Mia have been praised for lively stories, while other staff members have earned credit for warmth, humor, and attentive service. A good captain also matters in Amsterdam, where tight turns and narrow passages are part of the ride.

Should you book the Bulldog Boat?

Book this cruise if you want a mellow hour on Amsterdam’s canals with your own weed, drinks, and snacks. Choose Central Station if two included drinks and an easy train-side meeting point appeal to you. Choose Leidseplein if you are already in that part of town and prefer to bring your own refreshments.

Skip it if you need a warm, fully covered boat, a wheelchair-accessible vessel, or a serious, uninterrupted history lesson. For everyone else, the combination of canals, friendly guides, city stories, and an unusually relaxed onboard policy makes this a good-value way to see Amsterdam from the water.

Pack a jacket, check the departure point twice, and bring your own supplies before boarding. Those three steps will do more for your enjoyment than any complicated planning.

FAQ

How long is the Amsterdam Bulldog Boat Smoke and Booze Cruise?

The cruise lasts one hour and returns to the meeting point where you boarded.

Where does the cruise depart?

There are two possible departure points: the main dock in front of Central Station near The Bulldog, or Leidsekade 100 near Leidseplein. Check your ticket carefully because the departure options cannot be swapped.

Are drinks included?

Two drinks are included when you choose the Central Station departure. The Leidseplein departure does not include drinks, so you bring your own.

Can I bring weed and snacks?

Yes. The cruise is 420-friendly, and you may bring your own weed and snacks. The provider does not sell weed or smoking products on board, and there is no food service.

Is the cruise suitable for children?

No. This is an 18+ activity, and children are not allowed. Unaccompanied minors are also not permitted.

What should I bring for the boat ride?

Bring warm clothing, food or snacks, and rain gear. The boat is half open, so cold or wet weather can make the ride uncomfortable. In heavy rain, the cruise may be canceled and you will automatically receive a full refund.