Xtracold Icebar Amsterdam, 3 Drinks Included

If you like unusual Amsterdam stops, this one is hard to top. You step into a bar built from ice, then sip your drinks in minus 10°C while looking at ice sculptures lit in bright colors. What I like most is that the ticket includes actual drinks, not just entry, and you get thermal clothing so you are not dressing like a popsicle on arrival. One thing to consider is that the ice-bar time is short and it can feel cramped and rushed during busy hours.

The flow is simple: you start in a warmer lounge area with a drink, then you go into the cold room for a limited time. Think of it as a quick, sensory Amsterdam oddity, not a long hangout. If you are sensitive to cold, plan extra layering and be ready for a tight time window once you enter the ice.

Key things to know before you go

• Minus 10°C ice-bar time for a short, memorable cold shock (you will want layers)
• 3 drinks included: a welcome cocktail or large Heineken, plus two freezing shots or beers
• Thermal clothing provided (coats and gloves), though warmth can vary by person
• Small group size with a maximum of 15 travelers
• Mobile ticket entry and free Wi-Fi during your visit
• Crowding is real at popular times, especially early evening

Xtracold Icebar Amsterdam: the ice-bar novelty you actually feel

Amsterdam has plenty of canals, museums, and canal-side drinks. This is different. At Xtracold Icebar, the entire vibe is about controlled cold, ice-made décor, and the novelty of drinking from ice glassware. The temperature inside is kept at about -10°C (14°F), and the sculptural details are built to be viewed in that lighting and that cold.

What makes it interesting is that it hits more than one travel sense at once. You look around at ice sculptures, you hold an ice glass, and you feel the temperature change almost immediately when you enter. It is a tiny attraction, but it is very direct.

Also, it is not a “stand around and wait” thing. Your ticket comes with time in the warmer lounge and then time in the cold bar, with a drink plan built in. That matters because you do not have to figure out what to order or when to squeeze photos. You already have a schedule in your ticket experience.

The 45-minute experience flow: warm lounge, then ice time

Plan on about 45 minutes total. That sounds quick, because it is meant to be. The attraction is designed around a short, high-impact visit where the temperature stays stable and groups move smoothly.

Here is how it typically plays out:

1) Warm-up in the main bar area

You arrive and settle into the warmer lounge area first. You get your welcome drink choice included with the ticket, either one welcome cocktail or one large Heineken beer. This stage is where you catch your breath, get your bearings, and take initial photos before the cold hits hard.

2) Enter the ice room in small group batches

Then you go into the ice-bar portion as a group. Inside, the space is much smaller and colder. You will be given thermal clothing for the duration of the ice-bar visit, and you will likely see that you can only take so many photos before your fingers start to protest.

3) Limited drinks inside the ice bar

Your ticket includes two additional freezing drinks, which you take as shots or beers depending on what is available and what you choose. Some parts of the experience limit how long you can stay in the cold, and you should expect a “time to enjoy, then time to move on” feeling once you are inside.

A big practical takeaway: if you are there at peak time, you might feel a bit of queue pressure. People come expecting the novelty and a quick group experience, and it is best to lean into that. Show up dressed properly so you can enjoy the moment instead of fighting the cold and the line at the same time.

What comes with your ticket: 3 drinks and thermal clothing that matters

For the price point, the real value is the included drink set. This is not an entry-only attraction with upsells as the main event.

Your 3 drinks included package works like this:

• 1 welcome drink: either one welcome cocktail or one large Heineken beer
• 2 freezing drinks: two flavoured shots or beers (freezing, and served in the ice environment)

You also get:

• Thermal clothing for the ice-bar visit
• Free Wi-Fi during your visit
• A mobile ticket, which makes entry easier if you hate printing and paper tickets

What to understand is that the drink choices inside the ice room can feel more limited than a regular bar menu. The attraction is designed around the cold setting, the ice glassware, and short timing. If you come expecting a full cocktail menu with tons of variety, you might feel underwhelmed. If you come for the ice experience and do not mind a narrower selection, you will probably enjoy it more.

One more practical note: drinks are part of the experience, but the cold also shapes how you feel. Many people pace themselves, and even with three included drinks you may not end up super tipsy. Plan your evening accordingly.

Dressing for -10°C: coats and gloves, but bring your common sense

This is where most of the “worth it” or “not again” reactions happen. The ice bar is cold, full stop. You are not going to dress like a summer tourist and be fine for long.

The good news: thermal clothing is provided, and that includes coats and gloves. That is a big plus for value, because otherwise you would need to invest in your own cold-weather gear.

The mixed news: warmth can vary by person and by how you fit into the provided gear. Some visitors report the coats are not warm enough or do not seal well, and others say the gloves and coats work great. My advice is to treat the provided clothing as helpful, not perfect.

Do this:

• Wear layers under the provided coat. A sweater under a t-shirt helps a lot.
• Avoid footwear like sandals if you are going to be standing around in cold air.
• If you are easy to chill, bring an extra warm layer in your bag.

If you do that, you will focus on the fun parts: the ice sculptures, the novelty glassware, and the “we are actually doing this in Amsterdam” feeling.

Ice sculptures and lighting: the photos are the point

Ice bars are built for one job: get people to look closely. The ice sculptures in the cold room are lit with bright colors, so the whole space pops even though it is basically a monochrome material.

That makes photos a big part of the experience. But here is the practical reality you should plan for:

• The ice room is small.
• It can get crowded at popular times.
• People are moving in groups.

So your photo strategy matters. I suggest you take a few shots in the warmer lounge area before you enter, then inside the ice room just aim for quick snapshots rather than long photo sessions. Once your hands get cold, changing settings and standing still feels harder.

Also, some visitors mention that there are photo options available for purchase from inside the ice-bar area. If that interests you, be ready for it while you are still in your best shooting window.

Drinks in ice glassware: fun novelty, limited menu, and pacing

Drinking in an ice bar sounds like pure fun, and it is, especially the first time you hold a glass that is basically furniture for your drink. The cold environment changes your perception. The glass gets in the spotlight, and that is the whole point.

Your ticket gives you a welcome drink plus two more freezing drinks, and you get choices like flavoured shots or beers. Ice-bar portions may have rules about how many drinks you can have at once, so you might feel a “one drink at a time” rhythm.

What I like about the way the ticket is set up is that it gives you a structured experience. You are not hunting for the bar staff while cold air bites your face. Your included drinks guide the visit and keep you from overspending in the moment.

What I do not love is the tradeoff. Some people come wanting premium cocktails or a huge menu variety. The ice-bar setting naturally limits selection, and the drinks can feel more like part of the novelty than like a great cocktail crawl.

The best match for this experience is someone who wants:

• A fun, cold, silly Amsterdam activity
• A quick drink with a strong theme
• A few great photos and a story for later

Value check: $24.30 for 45 minutes and 3 drinks

At $24.30 per person, this is not an all-day attraction. You are paying for something very specific: ice-bar engineering, ice glassware, a short visit in a controlled cold room, and three included drinks plus thermal clothing.

That is why it can feel like great value even for a short visit. The cost is largely wrapped into the ticket, so you are not arriving and then discovering that entry is one thing but drinks are where the real money goes.

Is it perfect value for everyone? No. If you want a long sit-down experience, better drink variety, and lots of space to relax, a bar night elsewhere can beat it on comfort and drink quality. The people who tend to love it are the ones who treat it like a timed novelty with a clear theme.

Group size also affects value. With a maximum of 15 travelers, you are not stuck in a huge mass crowd the entire time. You may still queue at busy hours, but the overall operation is built around keeping groups moving.

If you are planning your Amsterdam days and you want one “only-in-Amsterdam” stop that does not take half a day, this fits that role well.

Who should book Xtracold Icebar and who should skip it

I would book this if you want:

• A short, fun activity with a clear theme
• A cold-weather challenge that comes with gear
• A quick drink experience and memorable photos
• Something different from the typical museum, canal cruise, or beer café loop

I would skip it if you:

• Hate cold temperatures or get uncomfortable quickly
• Want a long, relaxed bar experience
• Expect top-tier cocktail variety and zero time limits
• Are going with the idea of staying inside for ages, as time in the ice room is limited

Age-wise, the minimum drinking age is 18. So it works fine for adults, including groups who want something playful but not complicated.

Finally, if you are traveling in a larger night-out crowd, this can be a good “start the story” stop. Go earlier in your evening plan so you have time to warm up after and keep the night going.

My booking advice: timing, mindset, and how to get more fun

If you can choose your time slot, aim for a time that is not the absolute busiest early peak. Even when staff are doing their best, a busy ice room means tighter space, more queue moments, and less patience for people who came expecting unlimited wandering time.

Your mindset matters here. Treat it like a themed experience, not like a regular bar. Dress with layers, use the provided coat and gloves, and accept that you are there for a short cold taste of a unique setting.

One smart tip: plan your drink pacing. With three included drinks and a cold environment, you can still keep a steady pace. You do not have to race. Let the first drink in the warm area do its job, then enjoy the ice-bar portion without trying to rush through everything at once.

Should you book Xtracold Icebar Amsterdam?

Book it if you want a quirky Amsterdam photo-stop with minus 10°C bragging rights, three included drinks, and provided thermal clothing that lets you participate without having to buy gear. It is short, but that is part of the design, and the ice-bar novelty hits best when you treat it like a quick, fun experience.

Skip it if your main goal is comfort, a long lounge hangout, or high-end drink variety. The ice room is cold and the space can feel tight. If you are not into that kind of time limit, another bar or a canal-side drink might make you happier.

If you are on the fence, I would think of it this way: you are paying for the setting, not for a classic bar night. If that is what you want, it is a solid pick.

FAQ

What is Xtracold Icebar Amsterdam?

It is an ice-bar experience in Amsterdam where the ice bar is kept at about -10°C (14°F). Your ticket includes entry and drinks, plus thermal clothing for the ice-bar visit.

How long does the experience take?

It is listed at about 45 minutes (approx.).

What drinks are included in the ticket?

You get 1 welcome cocktail or 1 large Heineken beer, plus 2 freezing flavoured shots or beers.

How cold is the ice bar?

The ice bar is kept at a constant temperature of -10°C (14°C is not the listing; it is -10°C, shown as about 14°F).

Is there a minimum age?

Yes. The minimum drinking age is 18.

What should I wear since it is so cold?

You receive special thermal clothing for the ice-bar portion. Still, you should dress in warm layers so you are comfortable once you enter the cold room.

Is Wi-Fi included?

Yes. Free Wi-Fi is included.

Is transportation included?

No. Transportation to or from attractions is not included.

What is the maximum group size?

The experience has a maximum of 15 travelers.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel for free up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.