The Bulldog Ex-Police Station
CoffeeshopLeidseplein · Amsterdam€€€
Open nowOpen until 01:00
About
A former police-station coffeeshop on Leidseplein, opened by The Bulldog in 1985 with the building's history still central to the experience.
The Bulldog Ex-Police Station is one of those Amsterdam venues where the building does most of the explaining. The coffeeshop sits in the former police complex on Leidseplein, and The Bulldog opened it on April Fools' Day in 1985 as a deliberate piece of theatre after years of clashes with the authorities.
That history gives this branch a very different identity from The First or Energy. You are not coming here for a quiet neighbourhood stop; Leidseplein is busy, central and heavily visited, and the Ex-Police Station leans into that energy. The old police setting, the bars-and-cells story and the Bulldog branding are all part of the point.
It works best as a short, memorable stop when you are already around Leidseplein. The Bulldog Palace is directly next door if you want food or drinks afterwards, and the brand store sits in the same cluster.
Part of The Bulldog
The Bulldog
One of the defining names in Amsterdam coffeeshop history, founded by Henk de Vries in 1975 and now spanning five distinct coffeeshops across the city.
Good to know
The building is the story
The former police-station setting is a genuine part of the venue's identity.
Busy Leidseplein location
Expect a much more tourist-heavy atmosphere than a neighbourhood coffeeshop.
Menu
Observed 30 April 2026
Menus change frequently. Prices and availability may have changed since this menu was observed.
Opening hours
Local time in Amsterdam
- Monday08:00 – 01:00 (next day)
- Tuesday08:00 – 01:00 (next day)
- Wednesday08:00 – 01:00 (next day)
- Thursday08:00 – 01:00 (next day)
- Friday08:00 – 01:00 (next day)
- Saturday08:00 – 01:00 (next day)
- Sunday08:00 – 01:00 (next day)
Location
Leidseplein 17, 1017 PS, Amsterdam
Details last checked 22 Sept 2026