Xtracold Icebar Amsterdam, 3 Drinks Included

Amsterdam’s Xtracold Icebar turns a simple drink into a short, chilly spectacle. You begin in a regular lounge, then put on thermal clothing and enter a room held at 14°F (-10°C), where the walls, furniture, glasses, and decorations are made of ice.

I like the fact that your ticket includes three drinks, with one welcome drink in the warm bar and two more inside the ice room. I also like the colorful ice sculptures and the silly, social nature of the stop. The main caution is space: the frozen room is small, queues can form, and the provided coats may not feel warm enough for everyone.

Key points to know

• Three drinks are included: Choose a welcome cocktail or large Heineken, followed by two beers or flavored shots inside the ice bar.
• The cold is serious: The room stays at -10°C, and most people find 15 to 25 minutes plenty.
• Thermal clothing is supplied: Coats and gloves are available, but wear warm layers, trousers, and closed shoes.
• The ice room is compact: It can feel crowded, especially during busy evening periods.
• The warm lounge matters: You can take your first drink before or after the frozen section, so you do not need to rush it.
• The experience lasts about 45 minutes: Transportation is not included, and free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time.

What happens during the 45-minute visit

The experience is built around one attraction, but it has two distinct stages. First comes the warm lounge, where you receive your welcome drink and get comfortable. Then comes the short walk into the ice bar, where you use your remaining two drink tokens.

The full visit lasts about 45 minutes, although the actual time in the frozen room is usually closer to 20 to 25 minutes. Some people find 15 to 20 minutes more than enough. You are not signing up for a long bar session. This is a compact novelty stop, best added between other Amsterdam plans.

The ticket includes free Wi-Fi and special thermal clothing for the ice-bar visit. The venue accepts mobile tickets, and the maximum group size is listed as 15 people. Still, busy periods can feel crowded, with queues forming around the bar and photo spots. I would allow extra time around the scheduled visit rather than trying to squeeze it between two tightly timed attractions.

Starting in the warm lounge

You do not walk straight from the Amsterdam street into a frozen cave. The visit begins in a normal bar area, which gives you time to settle in and use your first drink token.

Your welcome choice is one cocktail or one large Heineken beer. This first drink can usually be taken before or after the ice-bar portion, a useful detail if you want to enjoy it slowly. I prefer having it first. It gives you time to get your bearings, look at the menu, and avoid trying to drink quickly before the cold-room entry.

The warm lounge is also the social part of the visit. It suits groups of friends, couples, and anyone looking for a light evening activity rather than a formal cultural stop. The atmosphere can be lively, though the main bar may have limited seating when it is busy. Do not expect a quiet cocktail lounge or a long, relaxed meal.

The welcome drink is also where you will find the broadest choice. Inside the ice bar, the menu is more limited, with beer and flavored vodka shots among the main options. If you want a particular cocktail, ask about it before you enter the cold room.

Putting on the coat and gloves

Before entering the frozen section, you receive special clothing for the visit. Coats and gloves are supplied, and you should use both. The gloves are especially useful because the drinking glasses are made of solid ice. They also help when you are holding your phone for photographs.

The supplied coats do not suit everyone equally. Some people find them adequate when worn over warm clothing, while others report that they are not warm enough. The coats may not fasten as securely as a winter jacket, so your own layers still matter.

My practical advice is simple:

• Wear long trousers rather than shorts.
• Choose closed shoes instead of sandals.
• Add a sweater or fleece under the supplied coat.
• Keep your fingers covered when possible.
• Take photographs early, before your hands get too cold.

The cold is not a minor decoration. At -10°C, fingers lose comfort quickly, especially if you keep removing your gloves to use a camera. You can enjoy the room much more if you treat the clothing as part of the preparation, not as a substitute for warm clothes.

Entering the -10°C ice room

The frozen bar is the main event. Inside, the room is kept at a constant -10°C, and the bar, walls, seats, glasses, and sculpted decorations are made from ice. Colored lighting gives the room its visual appeal, while the cold creates the joke and the challenge.

You receive two drinks in this section. Depending on the available menu, these may be flavored shots or beer. Some drinks are sweet, with flavors such as coconut, nuts, or nougat. The selection is much narrower than in the warm bar, and the drinks are designed to fit the theme rather than compete with a serious cocktail menu.

Each drink comes in an ice glass. That detail is more fun than it sounds. The glass feels cold immediately, and you need to handle it with care. If you choose a shot followed by beer, check how the tokens work before ordering. Because only one glass may be allowed at a time, the order of your drinks can matter. A second beer may be treated differently from a second shot.

The glasses can also begin to melt. That is part of the novelty, but it means you should not spend five minutes arranging the perfect photograph before taking a sip. Get your picture, then enjoy the drink.

Ice sculptures, pirate theming, and photo time

The room includes detailed ice sculptures lit with colored lights. A pirate theme has been used here, including pirate-style decorations and a carved polar bear in the room. The result is playful, though the theme may feel cheesy if you are expecting a grand frozen gallery.

Space is the bigger issue. The ice bar is compact, with limited room to sit and move around. When several groups enter together, taking a clear photo can be difficult. You may need to wait your turn near a sculpture or keep your camera close to avoid bumping into someone.

Photos are also available to buy inside the attraction. That can be useful if you want a picture without wrestling with gloves and a phone, though it is an extra purchase rather than part of the ticket.

I suggest treating the photo opportunities as a bonus, not the reason to book. The room is best understood as a short, theatrical set with drinks. If you want an expansive ice sculpture exhibition, you may find it underwhelming.

How much time do you really get?

The advertised experience takes about 45 minutes, but the frozen section is limited. The venue limits time in the ice room to roughly 20 to 25 minutes for comfort and safety. Some people last the full period, while others are ready to return to the warm lounge after 15 minutes.

The short time can feel disappointing when you are waiting in line. Entry may involve a group being brought through together, then a queue for the bar. With one person serving at a time, you can spend a noticeable part of your cold-room visit waiting for a drink.

This is why your first drink matters. Take your welcome drink in the lounge, pay attention to when your group is called, and order the first frozen drink promptly. If you want both included drinks, do not spend the first half of your ice time taking photos.

The good news is that you are not trapped in the cold. Once your time is up, you return to the warmer bar area. The stop works best when you see the cold room as a timed attraction rather than a place where you will settle in for the evening.

Drinks and what the price includes

At about $24.30 per person, the ticket is not cheap for three modest drinks. The value depends on what you are buying.

If you judge it as a bar bill, the deal may disappoint. The drinks inside are limited, some are syrupy or mild, and the shots are not designed to make you tipsy. You are paying for the frozen glasses, the temperature, the decorations, the supplied clothing, and the novelty of drinking inside an ice-built room.

If you have never visited an ice bar, the price is easier to justify. You get a clear, unusual experience with no separate admission fee for the frozen section and three included drinks. It also fills less than an hour, making it easy to add to an evening out.

If you have already visited several ice bars, compare this one carefully with your expectations. The room is smaller than some ice bars on cruise ships or in larger entertainment venues. The drinks may feel basic, and the pirate theme is more playful than polished.

I would call the price fair for a first ice-bar visit, especially if you enjoy taking photos and sharing a novelty with friends. I would call it weaker value if your main goal is excellent cocktails, generous portions, or a spacious bar where you can sit for a long time.

Staff and atmosphere

The staff experience can vary. Several aspects of the visit depend on quick service, group movement, and clear instructions, so a friendly team makes a big difference. Many visits include helpful and accommodating staff, including flexibility when travel plans change.

There are also reports of curt or inattentive service at the door and bar. One practical lesson is to ask questions early, before the group is sent inside. Confirm which drink token is for which area and how the two frozen drinks will be served.

The general mood is young, social, and lively. People come for a laugh, a few photos, and the odd sensation of holding a beer in a block of ice. It may feel awkward if you want a calm, refined drink. It works better as a pre-night-out activity or a quick stop during a city break.

Who should book this experience?

I would suggest it to:

• First-time ice-bar visitors.
• Couples who want an unusual photo opportunity.
• Friends looking for a playful evening activity.
• People who enjoy themed venues and short attractions.
• Anyone comfortable with a limited drinks menu and a timed visit.

I would think twice if you dislike cold temperatures, have trouble standing in queues, or want a serious cocktail experience. You should also be cautious if you are counting on the supplied coat to replace a proper winter outfit.

The drinking age is 18, and most people can take part. The experience includes alcohol, so plan your evening sensibly. Three drinks served over a short period may not be strong according to some menus, but individual reactions vary.

Booking, timing, and cancellation

The activity is booked an average of 19 days ahead, so I would reserve before your Amsterdam visit if your dates are fixed. A mobile ticket makes entry simple, and transportation to the attraction is not included, so you need to make your own way there.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund.

Because the visit is short, check the timing against your other plans. A late arrival could cost you part of the warm-lounge time or make the frozen section feel rushed. I would avoid booking it immediately before a train, flight, or timed museum entry.

Should you book the Amsterdam Icebar?

Book it if you want a light, unusual stop and have never tried an ice bar. The included drinks, ice glasses, colored sculptures, and supplied coat make the experience easy to understand and easy to share. The warm lounge also gives the visit more shape than a simple walk into a cold room.

Skip it if you have visited a better, larger ice bar or if you expect premium cocktails and lots of space. The room is small, the drink menu inside is narrow, and queues can eat into your limited time.

My call: good for first-timers and groups of friends, less convincing for repeat ice-bar visitors. Dress warmly, use the gloves, take your photos quickly, and treat the ticket as payment for a playful frozen attraction with drinks, not as a bargain night at a cocktail bar.

FAQ

How cold is the Amsterdam Icebar?

The ice bar is kept at -10°C, or 14°F. Special thermal clothing is provided, including coats and gloves, but you should still wear warm layers.

How many drinks are included?

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

How long does the experience last?

The complete visit takes approximately 45 minutes. Time inside the frozen room is generally limited to about 20 to 25 minutes, and some people find 15 to 20 minutes sufficient.

Are the drinking glasses really made of ice?

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

Is transportation included?

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

What is the minimum drinking age?

The minimum drinking age is 18.

Can I cancel for a refund?

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