Xtracold Icebar Amsterdam, 3 Drinks Included

Amsterdam’s Xtracold Icebar turns a simple drink into a short Arctic-style attraction. You start in a warm lounge, then put on provided thermal clothing and enter a room kept at 14°F (-10°C), where the walls, seats, bar, glasses, and sculptures are made from ice.

I like the fact that your ticket includes three drinks, not just entry. I also like the playful setting, especially the ice glasses and colorful lighting that make this an easy place for unusual holiday photos. The main drawback is space: the frozen room is small, and at busy times the queue and crowd can take up much of your limited time.

Quick points before you book

• Three drinks are included: One welcome cocktail or large Heineken, followed by two beers or flavored shots in the ice room.
• The cold is serious: The temperature stays at -10°C, and the supplied coat and gloves are useful, even if you arrive in winter clothing.
• Your visit lasts about 45 minutes: Only part of that time is spent inside the frozen room, usually around 20 to 25 minutes.
• Ice glasses are part of the fun: Drinks are served in glasses made from ice, so hold them carefully and do not expect them to last forever.
• The lounge matters: You can have the first drink before or after the ice-room visit, which helps if you do not want to rush.
• It suits first-time ice-bar visitors best: If you have already visited larger ice bars, this compact Amsterdam version may feel modest.

What the Xtracold Icebar actually feels like

The experience is built around contrast. You arrive at a regular bar, have a drink, chat with your group, and then enter a much colder room where every surface is designed to look frozen. That change is the attraction.

The main ice bar is maintained at -10°C. You are not simply stepping into a chilled cellar. Your hands, face, and feet feel the cold quickly, especially if you are wearing thin shoes or light clothing. The supplied thermal coat and gloves help, but they do not turn the room into a comfortable place to linger.

The setting has a pirate theme, with ice sculptures and colored lighting. It is more playful than polished. You will find an ice bar, carved figures, and a photo-friendly backdrop, but not a large museum-like display filled with dozens of sculptures.

I would approach it as a 20-minute novelty experience rather than a full evening at a cocktail bar. The point is to hold a drink in an ice glass, take a few pictures, laugh at the cold, and get back to the lounge.

Your arrival at the warm lounge

The first part takes place in a normal bar area. This gives you a chance to get organized before the cold-room visit and provides a place to warm up afterward.

Your ticket includes one welcome cocktail or one large Heineken. You can usually use this drink before or after the ice-bar portion, which is helpful. If you are already cold from walking around Amsterdam, have it first. If you want to enter the ice room quickly, save it for afterward.

The lounge also acts as the meeting point for the group going inside. The booking information allows a maximum of 15 people, but the experience can still feel crowded at popular times. Friday evenings, especially around 7 p.m., can be busy, with limited seating and a wait to enter the frozen room.

That timing matters because your total visit is only about 45 minutes. If the lounge is full and the entrance process is slow, you may feel that the actual attraction is shorter than expected.

Putting on the coat and entering at -10°C

Before you enter the ice room, you receive special thermal clothing for the visit. Coats and gloves are supplied, and you should use them even if Amsterdam happens to be having a cold day.

The provided coats are intended for a short stay, not for outdoor winter travel. Some people find them warm enough for the allotted time, while others still feel chilled before their visit ends. The coats may not fasten as securely as a normal winter coat, so wear warm layers underneath.

Your own clothing makes a real difference. Long trousers, socks, closed shoes, and several layers are sensible. Shorts, sandals, and thin fashion shoes are poor choices here. You also need to protect your hands, since holding an ice glass with bare fingers becomes uncomfortable fast.

The cold is part of the challenge, but you should not try to prove anything by staying longer than you want. The attraction limits time in the ice room for comfort and health reasons, with the visit generally lasting about 20 to 25 minutes inside.

Ice sculptures, colored light, and the pirate theme

Inside, the visual effect comes from ice surfaces lit in changing colors. The sculptures and frozen walls look best when you take a moment to look around rather than heading straight to the bar.

The pirate theme adds a fun, slightly cheesy layer to the setting. That can work well for a group of friends, couples, or anyone who enjoys theatrical attractions. If you are expecting an elaborate ice palace, you may find the room underwhelming.

The space is compact. There is little room to sit, and taking photographs can be difficult when several groups are standing near the same sculpture. You may need to wait for a clear moment to get a good picture.

Gloves create another small problem. They are useful for warmth but make it harder to operate a phone. You will probably remove them for photographs, then put them back on quickly. If you want pictures, take them early, before your fingers become too cold.

How the three included drinks work

The drink package is simple:

• One welcome cocktail or large Heineken in the regular bar
• Two beers or flavored shots in the ice bar

The ice-room selection is narrower than the lounge menu. You may choose from vodka-based flavored shots, beer, or sweet mixed drinks, but do not expect a full cocktail list. Some of the flavored options are syrupy, and the taste will not suit everyone.

The drinks are served in ice glasses. This is one of the best details of the experience because it makes the visit feel different from a normal bar stop. The glass can start to melt, so drink it within the allotted time and handle it carefully.

There is also a practical serving rule: you generally receive one drink at a time. If you choose a shot first and a beer second, the order may affect how much you get to enjoy before leaving. The cold can also make you focus on holding the glass and taking photographs instead of drinking quickly.

Do not book this as a serious drinking session. The included drinks are part of the activity, and several are light or sweet. Three drinks in a short time may sound substantial, but the package is more about the novelty than getting tipsy.

Is $24.30 a good price?

At $24.30 per person, the value depends on what you want from a night out. You are paying for admission, the frozen setting, thermal clothing, and three drinks. If you bought three drinks at a regular Amsterdam bar, you could potentially spend a similar amount, but you would not get the ice room or the novelty of drinking from frozen glassware.

The value is strongest for a first ice-bar visit. You get a clear, self-contained activity that fits easily into an Amsterdam sightseeing day. It is also a reasonable pick for a birthday, a couple’s outing, or a group looking for something a little silly and different.

The value is weaker if your priority is drink quality, generous portions, comfortable seating, or a large art display. The room is small, the drink choices inside are limited, and busy periods can create queues. If you have already visited ice bars in Orlando or on a cruise ship, you may find Amsterdam’s version less impressive.

The current rating is 3.6 out of 5 from more than 1,000 ratings, which fits the experience well. The concept earns strong praise, while the small room, cold clothing, crowding, and uneven staff interactions create the lower scores.

Timing, queues, and the 45-minute visit

The stated duration is about 45 minutes. That includes the regular lounge, preparation, waiting, and frozen-room visit. Do not assume you will spend the entire period inside the ice bar.

Some people find 15 to 20 minutes in the cold room is plenty. Others feel rushed because they spend part of the time queuing for a drink or waiting for space at the bar. A single server may be handling several people, which slows things down when a large group enters together.

If you are booking for a busy evening, arrive ready to make quick choices. Decide whether you want beer or shots before entering, keep your phone accessible, and take photographs early. You will get more from the experience if you do not spend the first half of your time working out what to order.

The booking information gives an average advance booking time of 19 days. That suggests you should not leave a popular date until the last minute, especially if you need a particular evening. A mobile ticket is provided, and transportation to the attraction is not included, so you arrange your own way there.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend the Icebar to:

• First-time ice-bar visitors
• Couples wanting a short, unusual stop
• Friends looking for a playful evening activity
• People who enjoy novelty drinks and photo opportunities
• Anyone who likes attractions with a strong visual theme

I would be more cautious if you dislike cold temperatures, crowded rooms, sweet drinks, or short timed activities. It may also disappoint anyone expecting a large, elegant frozen lounge with plenty of seats.

Most people can participate, and the minimum drinking age is 18. Since alcohol is included, you should bring suitable identification if needed. The experience is not presented as a long guided tour, so you are mainly there to enjoy the setting and manage your own time.

Small details that improve the visit

Wear more than you think you need. The supplied jacket and gloves are helpful, but warm socks and proper shoes still matter. Your hands are likely to feel the cold first, particularly when you remove your gloves to use your phone.

Use the lounge drink strategically. Having it before entry lets you relax while waiting. Saving it for afterward gives you something to enjoy while warming up. The choice depends on how cold you are and how busy the entrance area feels.

Do not wait until the last few minutes to claim your second ice-bar drink. The room is small, and the bar can develop a line. Since you are limited to one glass at a time, getting two drinks may take longer than expected.

If you are sensitive to alcohol or sweet mixers, choose carefully. Some flavored shots are sugary, and the drink menu inside is limited. The regular bar offers more choice, but the included package does not turn the visit into a full cocktail tasting.

Free Wi-Fi is included, though your phone battery and touchscreen may be less cooperative in the cold. Keep your visit focused on the experience rather than trying to film every second.

Should you book Amsterdam’s Xtracold Icebar?

Book it if you want a short, memorable Amsterdam activity with three included drinks, colorful ice sculptures, and a clear novelty factor. The ice glasses and extreme temperature give you something you cannot reproduce at an ordinary bar.

Skip it if you want spacious surroundings, premium cocktails, or a relaxed night of drinking. The room is compact, the cold is intense, and busy periods can leave you queuing instead of exploring.

For most first-timers, I think the package makes sense at $24.30, provided you see it as a themed attraction rather than a high-end bar. Dress warmly, use the supplied gloves, take pictures early, and expect about 20 minutes of actual time in the frozen room. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time, so you can book ahead while keeping some flexibility.

FAQ

How cold is the Amsterdam Icebar?

The ice room is kept at -10°C, or 14°F. Thermal clothing is provided for the duration of the visit.

How long does the experience last?

The full experience lasts about 45 minutes. The time inside the frozen room is generally around 20 to 25 minutes.

How many drinks are included?

Three drinks are included. You receive one welcome cocktail or large Heineken, plus two beers or flavored shots inside the ice bar.

Are the drinks served in ice glasses?

Yes. Drinks inside the frozen room are served in glasses made from ice.

Is thermal clothing provided?

Yes. Special thermal clothing, including coats and gloves, is provided for the ice-bar visit.

Can I choose when to have the welcome drink?

Yes. The welcome cocktail or large Heineken can be used before or after the ice-bar portion.

Is transportation included?

No. You arrange your own transportation to and from the attraction.

What is the minimum drinking age?

The minimum drinking age is 18.

How large is the group?

The activity has a maximum of 15 people according to the booking information, although busy periods can still feel crowded inside the compact room.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the experience are not accepted for a refund.