In the early 70’s purchasing cannabis and hasisch were already possible at a few locations in Amsterdam, such as Paradiso, Melkweg and Mellow Yellow.

Mellow Yellow was at that time a Tea-house and did also use the name “Theehuis” and sold cannabis only to regulars. The transaction was done secretly by a “customer” who happened to be there, the same was done at the Melkweg. The Bulldog was the first coffeeshop with the name COFFEESHOP and the only location to sell openly to everybody, while in a time that selling cannabis was illegal and punishable by law.

This the reason why there were 100’s of raids by the police in the period between 1975 & 1977 in The Bulldog and not by Mellow Yellow. The activities by Mellow Yellow where not known to law enforcement.

To note that The Bulldog is still run and operated after 36 years by the original founder Henk de Vries, while Mellow Yellow and other shops have changed owners numerous times.

This is the reason that The Bulldog is known as The First Coffeeshop.

The First, Best & Biggest!