Xtracold Icebar Amsterdam, 3 Drinks Included

Amsterdam’s Xtracold Icebar turns a drink into a short Arctic stunt. You begin in a normal lounge, then pull on supplied thermal clothing and enter a room held at -10°C, or 14°F, where the walls, furniture, glasses, and sculptures are made of ice.

I like the clear three-drink setup, with one welcome cocktail or large Heineken and two further drinks inside. I also like the changing themes, including a pirate design, colorful lighting, and ice-carved details that give you something to photograph. The catch is that the ice room is small and the cold is serious, so this works best as a brisk novelty stop, not a relaxed evening at a bar.

Key points to know before you book

• Three drinks are included: One cocktail or large Heineken comes in the warm bar, followed by two beers or flavored shots in the ice room.
• The cold room lasts roughly 20 to 25 minutes: The full visit takes about 45 minutes, but your time inside the ice section is limited for comfort and safety.
• Coats and gloves are supplied: Still wear long trousers and closed shoes. Shorts and sandals are a poor match for -10°C.
• The ice bar is compact: It can feel crowded during busy evening sessions, especially when several groups enter together.
• The atmosphere is social and young: It suits friends, couples, and anyone who enjoys a playful photo opportunity more than serious cocktail culture.
• The booking is capped at 15 people: The exact flow can still feel busy, particularly when groups queue for drinks inside.

What the Xtracold Icebar experience is really like

The appeal is simple: for a few minutes, you are drinking from a glass made of ice in a room that feels like a walk-in freezer. Amsterdam has no shortage of bars, but very few can offer this kind of theatrical change of scene without requiring a full evening.

The experience is split between a regular lounge and the frozen room. That distinction matters. You do not spend the entire 45 minutes shivering. You have time to settle in, take your first drink, and get ready before the staff bring your group into the cold section.

The atmosphere is built around fun rather than refinement. The ice sculptures are lit with colored lights, and the theme may include playful elements such as a pirate setting or a carved polar bear. You will find photo opportunities, but the room is not a grand frozen palace. It is a compact attraction designed to give you a memorable story and a few unusual pictures.

Your first drink in the warm lounge

Your visit starts with a choice of one welcome cocktail or one large Heineken. This drink is served in the regular bar area, where you can warm up, talk with your group, and get your bearings before the colder part begins.

This first drink is important because it gives the visit a sensible rhythm. You are not pushed straight from the street into the ice room. Some people choose to have the lounge drink before entering, while others use it afterward. That flexibility can help if your group wants to take its time.

The lounge is also where the social side of the experience works best. It is a place to mingle before the cold becomes the main event. At busy times, seating can be limited, so do not count on settling into a comfortable table for the entire visit.

The drink selection in the warm bar is broader than the selection inside. If you want a more familiar beer or a better chance at finding a drink you actually like, pay attention to what is available before you enter the ice room.

Getting ready for 14°F temperatures

Before entering, you receive special thermal clothing for the ice-bar visit. Coats and gloves are provided, and you should use them even if Amsterdam happens to feel cold that day. The indoor temperature is far below an ordinary winter evening.

The clothing helps, but it does not turn the room into a comfortable lounge. Several people find the provided coats insufficient, especially around the hands and lower body. Wear layers underneath, along with long trousers and sturdy, closed shoes. Avoid shorts, sandals, and thin clothing.

Your hands are the first problem for many people. Gloves make it harder to use a phone, but bare fingers become uncomfortable quickly. Take photographs in short bursts, then put the gloves back on. The ice glasses can also become slippery or cold to hold.

You should also pace yourself with the drinks. The attraction is built around a short stay, and the alcohol is served within a fairly compressed period. The included drinks are not generally designed as strong cocktails, but drinking quickly in very cold conditions is still a poor plan.

Inside the compact ice room

The door opens into a room held at a constant -10°C. Ice covers the main surfaces, and the sculptures and lighting create the visual effect. You receive one drink at a time, served in an ice glass.

The glasses are one of the best details of the experience. A beer mug or shot glass made from solid ice makes even a basic drink feel unusual. Keep an eye on the glass as it warms in your hand, since it can begin to melt during your second drink.

The cold room is not large. There may be an ice sculpture in one corner, including a polar bear carving, but there is no expectation that you will sit down for a long chat. The attraction works as a walk-through bar with a short drinking session.

The exact time inside can vary in how it feels, but the practical expectation is about 20 to 25 minutes. One person found 15 to 20 minutes plenty, while another managed about 26 minutes. At the end, most people are ready for a warm room rather than wishing for another hour.

Crowding is the chief issue. At busy times, a sizeable group may be taken in together, with limited room to move and only one bartender serving. That can mean queuing for your next drink and waiting for a clear angle for photographs.

Choosing the two frozen drinks

The two drinks inside are usually beers or flavored shots. The selection is narrower than in the lounge, and the style leans sweet and novelty-driven rather than balanced and sophisticated.

Flavored vodka shots may include options such as coconut, nuts and nougat, or other sweet combinations. Some people enjoy the playful choice, while others find the drinks syrupy or artificial. If you dislike sweet alcohol, the frozen bar may not be the highlight of your visit.

The order of your choices can matter. You are generally allowed one glass at a time. If you choose a shot first and then a beer, you may end up holding or drinking the second option in a way that feels less convenient. Ask the bartender about the available order if you want to avoid confusion.

Do not book this for a serious cocktail tasting. The value is in the frozen setting, the ice glasses, the lighting, and the shared joke of trying to drink at 14°F. The drinks support the attraction, but they are not its main reason to exist.

Timing, queues, and the 45-minute visit

The advertised visit lasts about 45 minutes. That includes time in the normal bar, preparation, entry into the ice room, and the final drinks. The frozen section is deliberately limited, so plan on a concentrated experience rather than an open-ended night out.

A small group size of up to 15 people is listed, which sounds manageable. In practice, the ice room itself can still feel crowded because the available space is tight and several groups may be processed close together. Friday evenings around 7 p.m. can be particularly busy.

Arrive with enough time to spare. The ticket is mobile, and confirmation is provided at booking, but a late arrival could make the short schedule feel even more rushed. The attraction does not include transportation, so you need to make your own way to the Amsterdam location.

If you are visiting with friends, agree beforehand on whether you care more about photographs, trying every drink, or simply staying warm. With a short indoor schedule, doing all three at a relaxed pace may be difficult when the room is full.

Is the $24.30 price good value?

At $24.30 per person, the price is reasonable if you want a quick themed attraction with three drinks. One welcome cocktail or large beer plus two frozen drinks gives you a clear package, and the supplied coat and gloves save you from preparing specialist clothing.

The value drops if you are judging the experience as a bar visit. The inside drink list is limited, the room has little seating, and the cold restricts how long you can enjoy each drink. You could spend the same money at another Amsterdam bar and get more choice, more space, and a longer stay.

I would view the ticket as paying for the setting, not for the alcohol. The ice glasses, cold room, sculptures, lighting, and group atmosphere are the product. If you have already visited several ice bars, this compact Amsterdam version may feel less impressive than larger examples you have seen elsewhere.

For a first ice-bar visit, though, the unusual format can justify the cost. You get a normal lounge, a costume-like change into thermal gear, a frozen room, and several drinks without committing half a day. It is a neat addition to a city itinerary when you want something different from museums and canals.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend Xtracold Icebar to couples, groups of friends, and first-time ice-bar visitors who enjoy silly, visual experiences. It also suits a city break when you want one short activity that produces memorable photographs.

The social setting makes it easier to enjoy with a group. The lounge gives you a chance to chat, and the ice room creates an instant shared challenge. Even the cold becomes part of the entertainment for people who treat it as a timed stunt.

It may not suit you if you want quiet service, generous seating, or carefully made cocktails. It is also a poor fit if you dislike cold temperatures or have difficulty standing in a compact space for part of the visit.

The experience can work for older visitors too, provided they are comfortable with the temperature and limited time inside. The practical issue is not age, but tolerance for cold, standing, crowds, and sweet drinks.

Tips for a smoother visit

Wear layers, long trousers, and closed shoes. The supplied coat and gloves are useful, but several people find they need more warmth than the standard gear provides.

Keep your phone accessible but protected from the cold. Gloves make camera work awkward, so take a few quick pictures rather than trying to document every moment.

Use the first drink strategically. You can have it in the lounge before or after the frozen section, so choose the timing that helps your group avoid rushing.

If you want a beer inside, ask about the serving order before accepting a shot. One glass at a time can make the second drink less convenient, especially if you are trying to manage a melting ice cup.

Expect limited choice inside. The flavored shots are part of the novelty, but sweet coconut, nougat, or similar options will not suit every palate.

Do not plan your whole evening around staying inside. The cold section is intentionally short, and 15 to 25 minutes is enough for most people. Add another warm bar or dinner afterward rather than expecting this to replace a full night out.

Booking, cancellation, and basic practical facts

You receive confirmation at the time of booking, and the mobile ticket is convenient for a short city attraction. The activity has a maximum of 15 people, though the physical room may still feel tight at peak times.

The minimum drinking age is 18. Most people can participate, but you should take the extreme cold seriously if you have concerns about it. Transportation to and from the attraction is not included.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that 24-hour window are not refunded or accepted.

Should you book Xtracold Icebar Amsterdam?

Book it if you want a short, photogenic novelty and have never tried an ice bar. The three included drinks, thermal clothing, colorful ice displays, and social lounge make the $24.30 price fair for the right audience.

Skip it if you want a spacious bar, strong or inventive cocktails, or a long, relaxed visit. The room is small, the cold is intense, and queues can eat into your limited time.

My call: a worthwhile first ice-bar experience, especially with friends, but not a must-do Amsterdam sight. Dress warmly, keep your expectations focused on the frozen setting, and treat the drinks as part of the show rather than the main event.

FAQ

Where is Xtracold Icebar Amsterdam located?

The experience takes place at the Xtracold Icebar in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

How long does the experience last?

The full visit lasts approximately 45 minutes. Time inside the frozen room is generally around 20 to 25 minutes.

How cold is the ice bar?

The ice room is kept at -10°C, which is 14°F.

How many drinks are included?

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

Are coats and gloves provided?

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

What should I wear?

Wear warm layers, long trousers, and closed shoes. Shorts and sandals are not suitable for the -10°C room.

What is the minimum drinking age?

The minimum drinking age is 18.

Is transportation included?

No. Transportation to and from the attraction is not included.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes, you can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours in advance are not accepted or refunded.