The Bulldog Mack is a British-style pub run by The Bulldog at Oudezijds Voorburgwal 132 in De Wallen, Amsterdam’s Red Light District. It has been open since 1983 and serves Heineken, Guinness, pub food and a full English breakfast. There’s also a pool table, sport on a big screen and seating by the canal in summer.
The Bulldog Mack at a glance
| Address | Oudezijds Voorburgwal 132, 1012 GH Amsterdam |
|---|---|
| Neighbourhood | De Wallen (Red Light District) |
| Opening hours | Sunday–Thursday 09:00–01:00; Friday–Saturday 09:00–02:00 (official listing) |
| Type of venue | British-style pub and bar (not a coffeeshop) |
| Food | Breakfast (served until 14:00), bitterballen including a vegan version, fish and chips, burgers, club sandwiches |
| Drinks | Heineken, Guinness and a full bar |
| Phone | +31 20 625 9864 |
| Opened | 5 May 1983 |
| Official page | The Bulldog Mack on thebulldog.com |
Opening hours can change on holidays and event nights. Check the official page before you go.
What to expect at The Bulldog Mack
You’re walking along the canal in the Red Light District when you spot a pub that looks as if it’s been lifted straight out of London. That’s The Bulldog Mack: a proper British pub, dressed up in The Bulldog’s own style, in one of the city’s best-known neighbourhoods.
I’ve been to plenty of pubs around Europe, and The Bulldog Mack has a character of its own. It’s a classic English pub layout with an unmistakably Amsterdam feel. Inside, it’s warm and easy-going, the kind of place where one drink turns into two.
The decor is what you’ll remember. There are stained-glass features, cow-leather seats and a bar shaped like a dog’s head. The walls are covered in photos of people who shaped the neighbourhood, so it’s worth taking a slow look around before you sit down.
It’s an easy place to settle in. You can watch a match on the big screen, play pool with friends, or sit outside with a pint and watch the crowds go by. Beer-wise, you’ll find Heineken and Guinness on tap. I’ve had both here more than once, and they’ve always hit the spot.
The history behind the Mack
The Bulldog Mack belongs to The Bulldog, the Amsterdam company Henk de Vries founded in 1975. His first coffeeshop, The First, opened at Oudezijds Voorburgwal 90, a short walk up the same canal. The Mack opened on 5 May 1983. It takes its name from the truck maker Mack, which also uses a bulldog as its logo.
According to The Bulldog, the pub was a tribute to De Wallen from the very beginning. Working with the Salvation Army, it offered people from the neighbourhood a warm meal and a safe place to be. That history is on the walls. The photos range from Parijse Leen, a well-known local sex worker, to the neighbourhood greengrocer and members of the De Vries family.
If you’re curious about the area’s past, the photo walls are a good starting point. Ask the staff too, if they have a quiet moment. For more background, read our guide to the Red Light District’s history and etiquette.
Key features
- English pub atmosphere: warm lighting, cow-leather seats and a traditional pub layout with The Bulldog’s own twist.
- Distinctive decor: stained glass, the doghead bar and walls full of photos from De Wallen’s past.
- Drinks: Heineken and Guinness are the headline pints, with a full bar behind them.
- Pub food: fish and chips, burgers, club sandwiches and bitterballen, the Dutch deep-fried snack, including a vegan version.
- Breakfast: a full English breakfast of eggs, sausage, bacon, tomato, beans and toast, served until 14:00.
- Sport on the big screen: big matches are shown in the pub.
- Pool table: good if you’re in a group and want something to do between rounds.
- Canal-side seating: in summer you can sit outside by the water.
- DJ nights: The Bulldog’s events calendar lists DJ nights at the Mack, usually 20:00–02:00.
Best time to visit
It depends on what you’re after. The pub has a different feel at different times of day.
- Morning (from 09:00): come for the full English breakfast. It’s a filling start to a day of sightseeing, and the street is calm before the crowds arrive.
- Late afternoon: usually the quietest time to look at the decor properly and grab a seat outside on a sunny day.
- Evenings and weekends: busier and louder, with a mix of locals and visitors. On Fridays and Saturdays the pub stays open until 02:00.
- Match days: arrive early for big games, because the best spots in view of the screen fill up fast.
Summer is the obvious choice if you want to sit by the canal. But I reckon the pub is at its best in the colder months, when you can come in from Amsterdam’s chilly streets and settle down with a pint of Guinness.
How to get there
The Bulldog Mack is at Oudezijds Voorburgwal 132, 1012 GH Amsterdam, on the canal between The Bulldog’s coffeeshops The First and Energy. The centre of Amsterdam is compact, so walking is usually the easiest way to get there.
- From Amsterdam Centraal: walk south into the old centre and follow Oudezijds Voorburgwal. It takes roughly 10–15 minutes, depending on crowds.
- From Dam Square: many trams stop at Dam. From there, walk east along Damstraat to the canal, then head north along Oudezijds Voorburgwal.
- By metro: Nieuwmarkt station is a short walk away on the east side of De Wallen.
- By bike: rental shops are all over the city. Watch the tram tracks, and expect the canal-side streets to be packed with pedestrians in the evening.
Coming from Schiphol? The train to Centraal is usually the quickest and cheapest option, and you can walk from the station. Our Schiphol train vs taxi guide compares the fares and travel times. I wouldn’t take a taxi for this trip. The streets around De Wallen are narrow and slow, and you’ll miss the walk along the canals. For trams, metro tickets and cycling tips, see how to get around Amsterdam.
Tips for visiting
- Check your bill: some recent Tripadvisor reviews mention billing mistakes and trouble getting a receipt. Check the total against the menu, and ask for an itemised receipt before paying if you’re splitting the bill.
- Order the local snack: bitterballen go well with a beer, and there’s a vegan version.
- Try a Dutch beer: Guinness is great, but order at least one local beer while you’re here.
- Call ahead for groups: if you’re in a big group or it’s a match night, phone +31 20 625 9864 to ask about space.
- Dress casually: there’s no dress code worth worrying about. Wear something comfortable for the cobbles.
- Watch your belongings: pickpocketing happens in crowded tourist areas, especially in the evening.
- Don’t photograph the windows: never take photos of the red-lit windows or the sex workers. It’s disrespectful, and people will object.
- Know the street rules: since 2023, smoking cannabis in the street has been banned in the Red Light District, and the city has cut late-night bar hours in the area.
- Keep the noise down: thousands of people live in De Wallen, so be quiet when you leave late.
- Pace yourself: stay with your friends, drink water, and plan your route back before the night gets late.
Worth knowing before you go
Reviews are mixed. At the time of writing, the pub’s Tripadvisor listing shows a 2.5 rating from 25 reviews. Several complain about service and billing, while others praise the breakfast, the friendly staff and the outdoor people-watching. Go for the atmosphere, the decor and a pint in a historic spot, and keep an eye on your tab.
If you want to make a night of it, The First coffeeshop and The Bulldog Hotel are both nearby. For more places around the canals, browse our De Wallen Red Light District guide or the full list of Amsterdam places.
Frequently asked questions
Is The Bulldog Mack a coffeeshop?
No. The Bulldog Mack is a pub that serves beer, spirits and food. The Bulldog’s original coffeeshop, The First, is a short walk away at Oudezijds Voorburgwal 90.
Can you smoke cannabis on the street near The Bulldog Mack?
No. Since 2023, Amsterdam has banned smoking cannabis in the street in the Red Light District, which covers the canal outside the pub.
Does The Bulldog Mack take reservations?
Its Tripadvisor listing says it accepts reservations. For groups or big match nights, call +31 20 625 9864 to check.
Does The Bulldog Mack serve breakfast?
Yes. The pub opens at 09:00, and breakfast, including a full English, is served until 14:00.
