Xtracold Icebar Amsterdam, 3 Drinks Included

Drinks on ice, in the heart of Amsterdam. At Xtracold Icebar, you step into a room held around -10°C (14°F), where ice sculptures glow and your included drinks arrive in ice glasses. I love that it starts in a warmer lounge so you can mingle first, then you get the full icy shock value without feeling thrown straight into an ice bath. I also like that your ticket bundles thermal clothing (coat and gloves) so you’re not guessing how to dress.

One thing to keep in mind: the cold room time is limited, and it can get busy enough that the whole experience can feel a bit rushed.

Key highlights at a glance

• 3 included drinks, with ice-glass style: 1 welcome drink at the main bar plus 2 more during the ice-bar slot
• Warm lounge first: mix and settle in before you go into the cold
• Ice sculptures with colored lighting: the whole place is built from ice, not just decorated
• Thermal gear included: you’ll get a coat and gloves for the visit
• Small group limits (max 15): better flow, though the ice room can still feel crowded

Xtracold Icebar Amsterdam: What You’re Really Buying

This isn’t a long, sit-and-chat bar crawl. You’re buying a short, high-impact, hands-on novelty: a proper ice bar where everything is made from ice, and your drinks are served in iceware. The value is in the concept and the bundled drinks, not in a wide cocktail menu or a lingering “night out” vibe.

The ticket is timed to last about 45 minutes total, with a chunk of that spent inside the cold room. If you’re expecting a relaxed bar experience, you’ll probably feel a little pressed for time. If you’re excited by the idea of going cold for drinks, it’s a fun way to spend an evening hour in Amsterdam.

The Cold Reality Check (-10°C / 14°F) and How to Prepare

The temperature is the headline: the ice bar is kept at -10°C (14°F). In practice, that means you’ll feel cold fast, even with provided gear. Several people call out that the coats and gloves help, but results can vary depending on how you run cold and what you wear underneath.

Here’s my practical take: dress in layers. Even if you’re coming from a normal Amsterdam evening, add a warm top and long pants. Reviews mention that sandals and shorts aren’t a great idea, and it makes sense: cold air plus limited time in the room can still turn uncomfortable quickly.

One more detail that matters: your hands get cold enough that photos can be tricky when gloves are on. If you’re planning to take lots of pictures, accept that the ice-bar setting may require glove swaps and quick shots.

Your 45-Minute Rhythm: Lounge, Main Bar, Then the Ice Room

The flow is simple, and it’s built around short “slots.” First, you’re in a regular bar/lounge area. You get to have your first included drink there and settle in before you go into the cold section.

Then you transition into the ice bar for your included second and third drinks. People describe the ice-bar visit as roughly 20 to 30 minutes—sometimes closer to the shorter end depending on how the timing works that day. The good news: the outside lounge is the warming buffer, so you’re not trapped in cold the whole time.

One practical warning: inside the ice room, you may have limited choice and limited service pacing. I’d plan your ordering so you don’t get stuck waiting and then feel like you’ve “missed the window” for your next drink. If you know you want a beer and also want a shot, decide that before you enter the ice room.

Drinks, Ice Glasses, and the Limited (but Worth-It) Menu

Your ticket includes 3 drinks in total:

• 1 welcome drink: either a cocktail or a large Heineken beer
• 2 more: either freezing flavored shots or beers

In the ice bar itself, the drink selection is more limited than what you’ll see in the lounge. Some flavors mentioned include vodka-based shots like coconut or nuts-and-nougat style options. The ice-bar menu is built for the novelty, not for fine-dining drink variety.

Do the drinks hit hard? Most reviews point out that with only three drinks across the visit, the alcohol level usually feels moderate. If you’re worried about getting tipsy fast, you likely won’t—but the ice environment can still make you feel different once you’re shivering.

Also, the ice-glass thing is part of the show. Your drink isn’t in a normal cup—it’s in ice, so you’ll experience melting and condensation. That’s normal. Have a plan for how you’ll hold it with gloves, and don’t expect the glass to stay dry or pristine the whole time.

Ice Sculptures and Photo Time Without Dropping Your Fingers

The main visual payoff is the ice sculptures, including detailed pieces lit up with colored lighting. This is where the ice bar feels like more than a gimmick. The room is built like an environment, and the lighting makes the ice textures pop.

Photo-wise, this is both fun and slightly annoying. The ice-bar experience provides the atmosphere, but gloves make it harder to handle your phone smoothly. If you want crisp shots, keep them quick and accept that some of your best photos will happen right after you enter.

One more real-world factor: the ice room can feel crowded, especially on busy evenings. That affects photos because you’ll have less space to frame shots or wait calmly.

If you’re into photos, consider that there are often picture options available to purchase from inside the ice area. That can be handy if your fingers are too cold for your camera skills.

Staff, Service Style, and Why the Vibe Can Split

Service seems to be a mixed bag. A lot of people praise staff as friendly and helpful, especially with the way they guide you through the experience. There are also complaints about a rude, rushed, or vulgar vibe, with some people feeling pressured to move along faster than they expected.

Here’s the balanced way to read it: this is a timed, scripted experience. That means the staff will keep things moving, and during peak times it may not feel like a “chatty bar.” If you want a relaxed, slow interaction, you might be disappointed. If you like organized experiences where you get in, do the thing, and move on, you’ll probably fit right in.

Also, if something goes off-plan during your travel day, some people report staff being accommodating. That’s a good sign if your evening depends on trains or flights running on time.

Is It Worth $24.30? Value for Money in Ice-Bar Terms

At $24.30 per person, you’re paying for three things:

• the ice-bar environment (the cold room and ice setup)
• three included drinks served with the ice-glass novelty
• the thermal gear (coat and gloves), plus free Wi-Fi

If you went to an ice bar without drink inclusions, the math is usually worse. Here, the drinks reduce the “extra cost shock.” You also get a built-in structure that saves you time deciding where to start and what to order.

What could make it feel overpriced? If you expected a long, high-comfort stay or a big menu, you may feel boxed in by the short cold-room time and limited options inside. Some people compare it to other ice bars and say this one is smaller or less varied—so manage expectations accordingly.

My rule of thumb: this is worth booking if you want the ice experience for an hour-ish, and you’re happy with the included drink set being more about fun than sophistication.

Who This Suits Best in Amsterdam (and Who Might Skip It)

This works best for:

• people who enjoy quirky, photo-friendly experiences
• groups who want something different between dinner and late-night wandering
• anyone okay with short bursts of cold followed by a warmer lounge break

The minimum drinking age is 18, so plan accordingly. Reviews also suggest the experience tends to feel more enjoyable for younger groups, largely because the energy is playful and timed.

If you’re very sensitive to cold, you should weigh the risk. Some reviews say the provided coats weren’t warm enough. If you know cold climates beat you up, dress extra warmly and consider whether you’d rather spend your hour in a warmer Amsterdam spot.

If you’re traveling with someone who hates crowds, know the ice room can get busy. That doesn’t stop you from having fun, but it changes the comfort level.

Getting There and Timing Your Night in Amsterdam

Transportation to and from attractions isn’t included, so you’ll want to plan your own route to the ice bar. That’s normal in Amsterdam, but it matters because the visit is time-based. Don’t schedule it as a “maybe we’ll arrive whenever” activity.

Pair it with something that doesn’t require a lot of timing precision right after. Since you’re cold (and possibly slightly buzzed), you’ll want an easy transition to warm surroundings. Many people treat this as a warm-up event before later plans, and that makes sense.

Also, because it can get crowded around evening times, arrive a bit early. People mention being let in with enough time to start without stress, and that’s how you get the best experience.

Should You Book Xtracold Icebar Amsterdam?

Book it if you want a short, memorable Amsterdam moment where the gimmick is the point. I think it’s a solid value because your ticket includes three drinks, ice-ice style service, and the thermal gear—so you’re not paying extra to make it happen.

Skip it if you want a long bar hang, a huge menu inside the ice room, or a super relaxed pace. Also skip it if cold comfort is a big deal for you; even with coats and gloves, the room is still seriously cold.

If your trip includes a couple of “must-do” items and you want one that’s different, this is a good pick. It’s not a whole night. It’s an ice-cold hour of fun, and that’s exactly what you’re paying for.

FAQ

How cold is Xtracold Icebar Amsterdam?

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

What’s included with the ticket?

Your ticket includes 1 welcome cocktail or 1 large Heineken beer, plus 2 freezing flavoured shots or beers, along with special thermal clothing for the ice-bar visit and free Wi-Fi.

How long does the experience last?

The total duration is about 45 minutes.

How many drinks can I have, and when?

You get three drinks total: one at the main bar and two associated with the ice-bar portion of the experience.

Are there age restrictions?

Yes. The minimum drinking age is 18.

What gear do I get for the cold room?

You receive special thermal clothing for the ice-bar visit, which includes a coat and gloves.

Is transportation included?

No. Transportation to/from attractions is not included.

Is there a limit on group size?

Yes. The experience has a maximum of 15 travelers.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel for a full refund if you cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience start time.

Is it a mobile ticket?

Yes. The experience uses a mobile ticket. Confirmation is received at the time of booking.