Xtracold Icebar Amsterdam, 3 Drinks Included

Cold drinks, colder surroundings. The Xtracold Icebar turns a simple night out into a short Arctic-style adventure, with an ice-built room kept at 14°F, or -10°C. I like the ice glasses and detailed sculptures, and I like that your ticket includes three drinks rather than just entry. The main catch is that the icy room is small, and the limited drink choices may not justify the price for everyone.

You begin in a warmer lounge, where you can have a welcome cocktail or a large Heineken. Then you put on the supplied coat and gloves and enter the ice room for two more drinks. The short visit and cold temperature are part of the fun, but they also mean this works best as a novelty stop, not as a full evening at a bar.

Key points before you book

• The room stays at -10°C: You receive special thermal clothing, but several people still found the cold intense.
• Three drinks are included: One welcome cocktail or large Heineken comes with two beers or flavored shots inside the ice room.
• The ice room is compact: It can feel crowded, especially during busy evening periods.
• Your time inside is limited: Expect roughly 15 to 30 minutes in the cold room, within a total visit of about 45 minutes.
• The bar has a pirate theme: Ice sculptures, colored lighting, and ice-made glasses create the main visual appeal.
• The value depends on your expectations: It is a memorable photo stop, but not the place for a broad cocktail menu or a long, relaxed drink.

Starting in the warm lounge with your first drink

The visit begins at Amsterdam Icebar in a regular indoor lounge. This first space matters more than you might expect because it gives you time to settle in before the cold-room portion. You can use the free Wi-Fi, have your first included drink, and get ready for the unusual setting ahead.

Your first drink is either a welcome cocktail or a large Heineken. The timing appears flexible enough that you may have this drink before or after the ice-room visit, which helps if the entrance queue is moving quickly. That small bit of flexibility also means you do not need to gulp your drink before being called inside.

The lounge is not designed as a grand cocktail bar. At busy times, seating can be limited, and the room may feel crowded while groups wait for their turn. Still, it gives the visit a social start. If you are going with friends, this is where the evening feels most like a normal night out.

The drink selection inside the warm bar is broader than the choices in the ice room. If you care about flavor more than novelty, pay attention to this distinction. The two drinks included inside are built around the theme, not around a long list of carefully mixed cocktails.

Putting on the thermal gear

Before entering the cold room, you receive special clothing for the visit. This includes a coat and gloves. The gear is necessary, especially if you arrive in light clothing, shorts, or sandals.

Several details are worth knowing. Some people found the coats less warm than expected, and one noted that the coat did not fasten fully. Gloves can make it harder to use your phone, hold a drink, or take photos, but your fingers will appreciate them once you are inside.

I would dress warmly underneath the supplied gear. Wear long trousers and proper shoes, and bring layers rather than relying only on the loaned coat. The cold is not a minor background detail. At -10°C, your fingers and face will feel it quickly, particularly if you stand still while waiting for a drink or trying to frame a photograph.

The supplied clothing makes the visit possible, but it does not turn the ice room into a comfortable indoor space. Think of the coat and gloves as protection for a short challenge, not as a guarantee that you will feel cozy.

Entering the -10°C ice room

The central attraction is a room built from ice and kept at a constant 14°F. Ice walls, sculptures, furniture, and drinkware create the setting. Colored lighting gives the sculptures more character, and the pirate theme adds a playful story to the room.

This is the part that makes the visit memorable. You are not simply drinking in a cold room. Your glass is made of ice, and the beer mugs and shot glasses add a physical novelty that ordinary bars cannot match. The glass itself becomes part of the activity.

The room is also quite small. That is important because photographs online can make the space appear larger than it feels. When several groups enter together, movement becomes tight, and it can be difficult to find a clear angle for a selfie. A polar bear carving and themed ice details provide visual interest, but this is not a huge gallery of sculptures.

You may be guided through the room in a group. One account described a large group queue and only one person serving at the bar, which made the time inside feel more like waiting than drinking. The listed maximum is 15 people, but the practical feel can vary with the schedule and crowding.

Three drinks, two temperatures, and limited choices

The ticket includes three drinks in total:

• One welcome cocktail or large Heineken in the warm lounge
• Two beers or flavored shots in the ice room

Inside, the choices can include vodka drinks, flavored shots, and Heineken. Some flavors are sweet and syrupy, such as coconut, nuts, or nougat-style vodka options. Some people enjoy trying them as part of the theme. Others find the drinks too sweet or less enjoyable than expected.

The drinks are not intended to be a serious cocktail program. If you are hoping for a carefully balanced martini or a full bar menu, this is the wrong setting. The value comes from sipping something from an actual ice glass while standing inside an ice room.

There is also a practical drinking issue. You are generally allowed one glass at a time inside. If you choose a shot first and then a beer, the ice glass can begin to melt, and you may need to handle the drink carefully. The second drink can also feel rushed if you spend too long waiting for the first.

The included drinks are modest in strength. Three drinks in a short period are unlikely to make you very tipsy, though you should still drink responsibly. The point is the setting, not a heavy night of drinking.

How long you really need inside

The advertised visit lasts about 45 minutes, but the cold-room portion is much shorter. Practical timing appears to range from about 15 to 30 minutes, with some guidance indicating roughly 20 to 25 minutes for comfort and health reasons.

That limit is sensible. At -10°C, most people do not need a full hour inside. After the novelty wears off, your priorities shift toward warm fingers and a normal room temperature.

The challenge is that your usable time can shrink if the room is crowded. Waiting for a drink, taking photos, and moving around may take up much of your allotted visit. If you want the second drink, keep an eye on the clock rather than spending all your time posing.

The warm lounge is available for lingering after the cold-room portion. This makes the total 45-minute visit feel less abrupt, especially if you want to warm up, finish a drink, or chat with your group.

The best and weakest parts of the atmosphere

The strongest part of the atmosphere is the contrast. You start in a normal lounge, put on cold-weather gear, then step into an ice room where the glass, walls, and decorations all fit the same theme. That change gives the visit a clear beginning, middle, and end.

The room’s lighting and ice sculptures are also good for photographs. The pirate theme may appeal to you if you like playful attractions. If you prefer polished design or a more refined bar, the theme can feel cheesy rather than charming.

Staff impressions have varied. Some people found the bartenders friendly, helpful, and fun, while others encountered a rushed or rude welcome. A few comments described being pushed along or ignored at the bar. That inconsistency matters because the room is small and the staff control the timing of entry, drinks, and exit.

I would treat the visit as a lighthearted attraction rather than expect formal cocktail-bar service. A warm, cheerful staff member can make the room feel like a party. A rushed interaction can make the small space feel even more cramped.

Is $24.30 a fair price?

At $24.30 per person, the cost is reasonable if you want a themed activity with drinks included. You are paying for entry, the thermal clothing, three drinks, the ice setting, and the novelty of holding a glass made from ice.

The price is less attractive if you judge it by the drinks alone. The selection inside is narrow, and the flavored shots may not suit your taste. You could spend a similar amount at another bar and have more choice, more space, and a longer visit.

I see the value in this way: you are buying a short activity, not simply buying three drinks. If you have never visited an ice bar, the setting may be worth the admission. If you have already experienced larger or more elaborate ice bars, this one may feel underwhelming because the room is compact and the time is brief.

The best value comes when you visit with friends, take a few photos, enjoy the warm lounge, and treat the drinks as part of the show. It is weaker value for someone who wants strong cocktails, quiet seating, or a relaxed evening.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend the Xtracold Icebar to adults who want an unusual stop during an Amsterdam city break. The minimum drinking age is 18, and most people can participate.

It is particularly suited to:

• Friends looking for a funny group activity
• Couples who want unusual photographs
• First-time ice-bar visitors
• People who enjoy themed attractions
• Anyone who likes trying novelty drinks and unusual venues

You may want to skip it if you dislike cold temperatures, have already visited several ice bars, or want a serious cocktail experience. It is also a poor fit if you expect a large room with plenty of seats and time to linger.

The attraction is not built around Amsterdam culture or local history. Its appeal is physical and theatrical. You enter, get cold, drink from ice, take photos, and leave with a story.

Practical timing and booking advice

The experience is booked an average of 19 days ahead, so reserve early if your Amsterdam dates are fixed. Your confirmation arrives when you book, and you receive a mobile ticket.

No transportation is included. You need to make your own way to the Amsterdam Icebar, so allow enough time to arrive before your scheduled start. The group size is listed as a maximum of 15, though busy periods may still feel crowded around the entrance or serving area.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours ahead are not accepted for a refund, and the cut-off uses local Amsterdam time.

A simple plan works best: arrive in warm clothing, have your first drink without rushing, take the supplied gloves, and save a little time for the second drink and photographs.

Should you book the Xtracold Icebar?

Book it if you want a short, playful attraction and have not tried an ice bar before. The ice glasses, sculptures, colored lighting, and included drinks create a memorable stop, especially with a lively group.

Skip it if you want value measured by drink quality, room size, or service. The interior is small, the cold is serious, and the flavored drinks will not please every palate.

My advice is to book during a less crowded time if your schedule allows. Arrive dressed for winter, keep your phone use brief, and think of the $24.30 as the price of a themed activity with drinks attached. With that expectation, the Xtracold Icebar can be good fun. Expect a full night at a bar, and you may leave disappointed.

FAQ

Where is the Xtracold Icebar experience located?

It takes place at the Xtracold Icebar in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

How long does the experience last?

The total visit lasts approximately 45 minutes. The time inside the ice room is usually much shorter, generally around 15 to 30 minutes.

How cold is the ice room?

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

What drinks are included?

You receive one welcome cocktail or one large Heineken, plus two flavored shots or beers inside the ice room.

Are coats and gloves provided?

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

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