Xtracold Icebar Amsterdam, 3 Drinks Included

Minus ten degrees, major fun in Amsterdam.

Xtracold Icebar Amsterdam keeps the experience at -10°C, with everything inside made of ice, so you’re basically stepping into a literal freezer for a short, memorable stop. I like that you start with a warmer lounge to mix and mingle, then head into the icy room holding a drink in an ice glass.

The catch is time and comfort. The cold part is brief, and on busy evenings you can end up queued and feeling slightly rushed, especially if you’re sensitive to cold or your thermal gear doesn’t fully work for you.

Key Things to Know Before You Go

• -10°C (14°F) ice-bar experience with real ice glasses and ice-made décor
• 3 included drinks set: one in the main bar plus two inside the ice room
• Thermal clothing provided (including a coat and gloves), but you still need smart layering
• Small group size (max 15), which helps the experience feel controlled
• Free Wi-Fi during your visit
• Photo reality: gloves and coats can make selfies harder, but the ice lighting makes it worth it

Entering Xtracold Icebar Amsterdam at -10°C

If you’re looking for one of those Amsterdam experiences that feels a little silly in the best way, the Xtracold Icebar delivers. You walk in to a normal-feeling bar area first, then the temperature drops fast, and suddenly you’re surrounded by ice sculptures lit up in bright colors. It’s part engineering feat, part party trick, and part excuse to laugh while you shiver.

I also like the pacing. You’re not thrown straight into the cold with no warning. There’s a warm lounge area where you can get your bearings, chat with your group, and enjoy the included drink before you head into the ice room.

The overall goal is simple: taste the novelty of an ice bar in Amsterdam without turning it into a long, complicated schedule.

What the 3-Drink Ticket Actually Includes

This ticket isn’t just admission—it’s built around a drink package. You get a welcome drink in the main bar, then you use your included drink entitlements during your time in the ice room.

Here’s the breakdown you should plan around:

• 1 welcome cocktail or 1 large Heineken beer in the main bar area
• 2 additional drinks inside the ice area, either freezing flavoured shots or beers
• Special thermal clothing for the ice-bar portion
• Free Wi-Fi during your visit
• A mobile ticket you can show on arrival

That “3 drinks” structure is part of why the value can work. You get one drink where the atmosphere is more social and comfortable, then two more while you’re in the freezer-cave for the ice-glass experience.

Do note one practical detail: inside the ice room, your drink choices are more limited than in the main bar. If your priority is a huge cocktail menu, the ice room itself may not be where you’ll find the widest selection.

The 45-Minute Flow: Lounge, Tokens, and the Ice Room

The visit runs about 45 minutes total, give or take depending on timing and how the groups move through. In most cases, you’ll spend a chunk of that time in the main bar area first.

A common flow looks like this:

1. Arrive and get settled in the main bar area
2. Enjoy your welcome drink while you warm up and mingle
3. Move as a group into the ice room when it’s your turn
4. Enjoy two included drinks inside the cold room

Many people say the experience inside the ice room is manageable if you’re dressed correctly, but it’s not meant to be a long hangout. You’re going in for the ice-glass moment and the ice-sculpture lighting, not to sit there for an hour.

Also, if you’re picky about not feeling rushed, it helps to choose your timing wisely. Peak evening crowds can mean more waiting, and then you’re suddenly watching the clock.

Ice Sculptures, Lighting, and the Fun Factor

The reason this works as a “must-do” in Amsterdam is the visuals. The ice room is packed with detailed ice sculptures, and the bar lighting makes them pop. It looks like a winter movie set—just with a drink in your hand and a coat trying to keep your fingers working.

This is also where the theme elements can add personality. One review specifically calls out a pirate theme, which matches the general vibe of ice bars as playful, slightly theatrical places—not quiet museums.

I find the best part is the contrast. You go from lively bar energy to an icy environment where your senses feel sharper. Even if you’re not a big drink person, the novelty of real ice around you makes it worth the ticket.

Cold Comfort: What -10°C Feels Like (And How to Dress)

Let’s be blunt: -10°C is cold enough to make you notice your breathing and your hands. People often say the main bar portion feels fine, but once you’re inside the ice room, you’ll feel the chill quickly—even with coats and gloves.

You’ll get thermal clothing for the ice-bar visit, but the fit matters. Some people report the coats are not great at staying closed, and a few say the gear wasn’t warm enough for them personally. That means you should treat the provided clothing like a helpful baseline, not a magic shield.

My practical packing advice:

• Wear layers so you can adapt if you’re warm in line and cold inside
• Skip flimsy footwear; you’ll be moving a bit and standing around
• Dress for warmth first. The ice is not a place for stylish numb toes

If you’re someone who runs cold, you’ll want to take this seriously. For everyone else, it’s usually just an amusing short-time challenge—like taking a cold plunge, minus the lake.

Drinks in the Main Bar vs. Inside the Ice Room

The main bar is where you’ll get the fuller vibe. It’s where you start, it’s warmer, and you can settle in with your welcome cocktail or large Heineken beer. This is the part of the experience where you can actually talk without feeling like your nose is frosting over.

Inside the ice room, the rules tighten. You’ll be drinking in ice glasses, and the drink selection is more limited. If you choose a shot versus a beer inside the ice room, you’re working with what’s available for those included entitlements.

One thing I appreciate is that the drinks aren’t positioned as high-end mixology. They’re positioned as part of the ice-bar ritual. Even if a particular flavored shot doesn’t hit your taste buds, you’re still paying for the setting, the novelty, and the experience of holding a drink in real ice.

A couple of reviews mention that the included shots and beers are not super strong. That can be a positive if you want fun without getting hammered. But if you’re hoping to really feel the alcohol quickly, plan around the fact that the cold environment also changes how you experience everything.

Crowds, Queueing, and Why Timing Matters

On busy nights—think Friday evenings—this place can get crowded. That doesn’t automatically ruin it, but it can affect your comfort.

Here’s what to watch for:

• You may queue to enter the ice room with a group
• Once inside, there’s limited time, so you can feel pressure to take your second drink and enjoy the sculptures before the clock resets
• The ice room is small, so space for photos and movement is tighter

If you hate waiting, aim for a time slot that’s less peak. If you’re going with friends and you like a bit of energy and chaos, the busier setting can feel lively rather than stressful.

Also, photo gear can be tricky. Coats and gloves are part of the setup, and gloves can make screens harder to use. You might find yourself removing gloves more than you expected to get a good shot—then you’ll feel the cold immediately after.

Value Check: Is $24.30 Worth It?

Price can feel like a lot until you break down what you’re actually buying. At about $24.30 per person, you’re paying for:

• entry into the ice-bar environment
• special thermal clothing for the cold portion
• three included drinks across the warm bar and the ice room
• free Wi-Fi

For many visitors, the value is strongest if you would otherwise spend money at another bar that night. Here, the drink cost is bundled with the ice-bar access. You’re essentially buying the novelty, and the drinks are part of that package.

Where value can disappoint people is when they expect a longer, more detailed ice experience with lots of sitting space and minimal time limits. If your idea of “ice bar” is a leisurely lounge, you may feel the visit is too short and too crowded.

So I’d think of this as a high-energy novelty stop. Not a full night plan.

Who Should Book Xtracold Icebar Amsterdam

I’d book this if you:

• want a quick, memorable Amsterdam activity that’s different from canals and museums
• enjoy playful themes and don’t mind dressing for the cold
• want a pre-planned activity with included drinks so you’re not juggling vouchers and menus

I’d reconsider if you:

• get stressed by queues and tight time limits
• strongly dislike cold environments
• expect a huge cocktail menu in the ice room

It can also be a fun group activity since the group size is capped (max 15 travelers). That keeps it from turning into a free-for-all.

Quick Practical Tips That Make the Visit Easier

These tips are the difference between a fun shiver and a long regret:

• Layer up. Your coat and gloves help, but you’ll be happier if you’re already warm.
• If you care about photos, plan for gloves on/off.
• Keep an eye on timing once you’re inside—there’s limited time in the ice room.
• If you’re sensitive to rude service vibes, don’t make this your only plan for the evening. Some staff interactions seem to vary depending on crowd and flow, while others are described as fantastic—so your personal experience can differ on busy nights.

Should You Book Xtracold Icebar Amsterdam?

For most people, I think it’s a yes—especially if you want one iconic Amsterdam stop that’s easy to fit into a night out. The strongest reasons to book are the ice-made setting, the -10°C experience, and the 3 included drinks that make the ticket feel less like a “pay for entry” gimmick.

If you’re chasing a long, sit-down experience or a premium cocktail outing, choose something else. The Xtracold Icebar is short, cold, and a little chaotic at peak times. That’s not a flaw—it’s the whole point.

FAQ

How long is the Xtracold Icebar Amsterdam experience?

It lasts about 45 minutes on average.

How cold is the ice bar?

The ice bar is kept at a constant -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 I get thermal clothing for the ice room?

Yes. You receive special thermal clothing for the duration of the ice-bar visit.

Is there Wi-Fi?

Yes, free Wi-Fi is included.

What is the minimum drinking age?

The minimum drinking age is 18 years.

Is transportation to and from Amsterdam attractions included?

No. Transportation is not included.

Is it a small group?

Yes. The experience has a maximum of 15 travelers.