Subzero drinks in the heart of Amsterdam. The Xtracold Icebar is a real ice bar kept around -10°C (14°F), where the entire setup is ice-made and you drink from ice glasses while you admire lit ice sculptures.

I especially like the way the experience starts in a warmer lounge first, so you’re not thrown straight into the cold. I also appreciate the included thermal clothing (coats and gloves), because it makes the temperature shock feel manageable even if you’re not a winter person.

One watch-out: it can feel rushed when it gets crowded, and the time in the ice room is limited—so you’ll want to plan a calm, efficient visit, not a slow hang.

Xtracold Icebar Amsterdam at a Glance

Three drinks included: 1 welcome cocktail or a large Heineken plus 2 freezing flavoured shots or beers.

Subzero by design: constant -10°C (14°F) with ice-made bar furniture and décor.

Warm-up lounge first: you can mingle and settle before going into the cold room.

Short time in the ice room: plan on about 20–25 minutes of serious cold.

Group size is small: maximum 15 travelers.

Mobile ticket: easy entry with no paper needed.

Xtracold Icebar: What You’re Really Paying For

This isn’t just a bar in a cold room. You’re paying for a controlled, engineering-style experience: a full ice-made venue where drinks are served in ice glassware and the décor is carved and lit for maximum wow-factor.

For me, the value comes from what’s bundled. Your ticket includes not only entry, but also three drinks across the visit (with one portion in the warm bar area and two drinks tied to the ice-bar portion). That makes it easier to treat this like a fixed-cost activity instead of a “we’ll see how much we spend” night out.

The other big part is the temperature itself. It’s cold enough that you feel it in your fingers pretty quickly, but the place is set up so you can handle it in short bursts. If you’re going expecting a normal bar hang, you’ll feel the limits fast.

The 45-Minute Flow: Warm Lounge to Ice Room

Plan for about 45 minutes total from start to finish. The flow is simple: you enter, you get your included drink tokens, you enjoy a warmer bar area, then you’re guided into the ice room in a group.

First, there’s a lounge/bar area where you can order or claim your welcome drink. You’ll also get the thermal clothing for the ice portion (and yes, it can make taking photos awkward). This is your chance to get comfortable, chat, and reset your brain for the cold.

Then comes the ice room. This is where the temperature does the work: around -10°C. You’ll move through with your group, admire the ice sculptures under colored lighting, and sip your drinks from ice glasses. Expect rules and timing: the experience is designed to be short, and that’s what keeps the cold manageable for everyone.

Ice Room Rules You’ll Want to Know Up Front

The ice bar works like a show with strict timing. Most importantly, your time inside is limited, even if you’re having fun. You should plan on roughly 20–25 minutes in the ice room, based on how the experience is described in practice.

Also, the drink setup is more controlled than a regular bar. Once you’re in the ice space, you’ll get your included drinks, and the service tends to be paced. One practical takeaway from how people describe the visit: you’ll want to decide what you want for each included drink in advance, because you won’t have unlimited chances to change orders on the spot.

Finally, the room can be tight. Some people note that it gets crowded, and there can be a queue feel when groups move through. That doesn’t ruin it, but it does mean you should come ready to stand, look, sip, and accept the schedule.

Drinks at -10°C: Included Choices and What Works

Your ticket includes three drinks total. You’ll start with either 1 welcome cocktail or 1 large Heineken beer, then you get 2 additional freezing flavoured shots or beers for the ice portion.

What you should expect:

• Drinks are served in ice glassware inside the cold room, so they melt a bit as you sip.
• Choice in the ice room can feel narrower than in the warm area.
• The ice-bar drinks are built for the experience, not for “craft cocktail perfection.”

That’s the key mindset. You’re not there to taste like you’re in a cocktail bar. You’re there to feel the novelty of drinking at 14°F (-10°C), with ice sculptures lit around you and everything made of ice.

If you’re worried about the taste of shots, don’t overthink it. Some people mention flavoured vodka options like coconut, while others prefer the beer. The good news is you can often choose between shots and beers for those included drinks, as long as you stay within the included token limits.

Thermal Clothing: What They Provide and What You Should Wear

The ticket includes special thermal clothing for the ice-bar visit. In practice, that usually means a coat and gloves you use inside the cold room.

Even with the gear, you still need to dress smart. I’d treat this like a cold-weather activity, not a casual stop. If you show up in light clothing, you’ll feel it sooner and the “fun cold” turns into “get me warm” faster.

Here’s what helps most based on how the experience feels for different ages and body types:

• Wear layers you can actually move in.
• Choose shoes that work well for a cold, standing-and-waiting situation.
• Avoid short sleeves and especially avoid sandals or very open footwear.

One more note: coats and gloves can vary in how warm they feel, and some people say the coats aren’t great for staying closed or keeping heat in. So keep it simple: wear warm layers underneath even if you’re given gear.

Ice Sculptures and Theme: The Wow Factor

The headline here is the ice art. The ice sculptures are detailed and lit with colored lighting, so they look dramatic even when you’re trying not to freeze. This is a visual experience as much as a drink experience.

Theme can matter too. Some people mention pirate-style theming, which can make the whole thing feel playful rather than purely industrial. If you like quirky, themed attractions, the vibe is more likely to click.

Also, you may find photo opportunities, and some people say photos are available to purchase. Even if the ice room is crowded, it’s still one of those places where you’ll want at least a couple of shots for the memory factor, even if gloves get in the way.

Crowds, Queue Energy, and Service: When It Feels Rushed

Here’s the honest balance: the ice bar can be fun and lively, but it can also feel pressurized when it’s busy.

Why? The experience is timed, the room is small, and there’s limited space to sit or linger while you wait for your group turn. Some people describe long waits or being shepherded quickly so the next group can enter. Others say staff were friendly and helpful the whole time.

So I’d plan your expectations around that. Go in with patience. Don’t treat the visit like you’ll have a leisurely conversation at a normal bar. If you’re the type who likes to hang out and wander, you may find the structure a bit limiting.

That crowd-control structure is also why the ice bar can feel like a highlight on the right night and a letdown on the wrong one.

Is It Worth $24.30? Value for an Amsterdam Night

At $24.30 per person, the value mostly comes from the bundled inclusions. You’re getting entry plus three drinks plus thermal clothing plus free Wi‑Fi.

Let’s translate that into real-life logic. In Amsterdam, even a single beer or cocktail can cost a lot, especially in tourist-heavy areas. Getting one welcome drink plus two additional ice-bar drinks makes the ticket feel like a “fixed-price nightout” deal rather than paying menu prices and hoping it stays reasonable.

Still, check your priorities. If your main goal is a wide drink menu and a relaxed night, you may find the ice-bar portion has restrictions and a shorter time window. Some people also say the drinks inside the ice room can be limited in variety compared to the warm area.

My take: this is worth booking if you want a one-of-a-kind cold-weather novelty with included drinks, not if you’re chasing the most impressive bar selection in town.

Who Should Book Xtracold Icebar Amsterdam

This fits best for:

• Couples and small groups who want a fun, quick, shareable experience.
• People who like themed attractions and don’t mind standing for part of the visit.
• Families with older teens and adults, since the minimum age is 18.

It may not be the best match if:

• You need lots of seating time or a long, slow hang.
• You hate strict timing, queues, or feeling “on the schedule.”
• You’re very sensitive to cold and don’t want to plan for layers.

Should You Book This Icebar in Amsterdam?

I’d book it if you’re curious about the concept and you’re willing to treat it like a short, structured experience. The best version of this visit is when you go prepared, enjoy the warm lounge first, then commit to the cold room for the limited time and make it a quick highlight.

Skip it if you’re only interested in high-end cocktails or if you’ll be upset by crowded conditions and strict time limits. For that kind of night out, Amsterdam has plenty of bars where you can relax longer and order freely.

If you do book, come dressed for winter, arrive with a calm pace in mind, and use the included drinks as part of the experience rather than judging them like a full cocktail program.

FAQ

How cold is Xtracold Icebar Amsterdam?

The ice bar is kept at a constant temperature of about -10°C (14°F).

What drinks are included with the ticket?

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

Do you provide thermal clothing like coats or gloves?

Yes. The experience includes special thermal clothing for the duration of the ice-bar visit.

How long does the ice-bar experience last?

The overall experience is about 45 minutes, and the time in the cold ice room is typically limited to around 20–25 minutes.

What is the minimum drinking age?

The minimum drinking age is 18.

Is Wi‑Fi included?

Yes, free Wi‑Fi is included.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.