Xtracold Ice Bar Amsterdam: how to buy, prices and discounts

This Ice Bar is, in more ways than one, the coolest place in Amsterdam. With walls, furniture and even glasses made of natural ice, the sculpture work alone is worth the entrance fee. But if these things plus the -10°C temperature are not enough incentive, add to that the cultural attraction around explorer Willem Barents, vibrant atmosphere all year round and a variety of delicious cocktails and free beer!

In this publication you will learn everything you need to know about the Xtracold Icebar, an establishment divided into two themed environments with opposite temperatures and the journey to the North Pole as the ultimate inspiration.

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Amsterdam Ice Bar Experience Tickets

Tickets for the Amsterdam Ice Bar.

Skip-the-line entry to the famous Xtracold Icebar, Amsterdam's coolest experience at minus 10 degrees Celsius with free cocktails in a bar carved out of ice.

From RM143 at Hellotickets

A guided tour through the secrets of the Netherlands' most famous explorer is included with your ticket to Amsterdam's ice bar, plus you receive 3 tokens - two silver and one gold - which can be exchanged for 3 free drinks of your choice. The first setting is a warm tavern that serves a wide range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks while you are introduced to Willem Barents, the famous Dutch explorer who discovered Svalbard in 1596.

Once you learn his story, you'll be provided with warm clothing for the journey to the North Pole, the heart of this icy experience, where everything from the furniture to the glasses to the walls and art is carved entirely from ice. The place is made of 35,000 kg of ice to evoke the archipelago of New Zembla, where Barents and his crew were shipwrecked for almost a year. Here you can use your two silver tokens to order beer, shots or orange juice.

Recommended if... you want to be transported to the atmosphere of the North Pole in Amsterdam's coolest experience.

Tickets to Amsterdam's Xtracold Icebar are one type only and include three drinks, change of clothes for the ice lounge bar and talks about the star of the place, Willem Barents, who discovered Svalbard in 1596, the first discovery to approach the Northeast Passage to the Indies.

Although you can buy your tickets in person, please note that seating is very limited and ideally you should secure your queue-free ticket by buying in advance online.

Unfortunately, tickets to the Amsterdam Icebar are not included in any of Amsterdam's top tourist passes. However, you may want to do a combination tour, in which case you can find guided tours with the Amsterdam Ice Bar included as the Amsterdam Ice Bar Cruise and Tickets package.

Yes, some of the best Amsterdam bike tours, other attractions such as Amsterdam's weirdest museum, Ripley's Believe It or Not!, as well as other tours with the best experiences in the capital of the Netherlands include the ice bar among their stops, and between them, they are well worth it:

• Xtracold Icebar Combined Ticket and Canal Cruise: Looking for a unique way to explore Amsterdam? Try this self-guided tour of the city's most famous sights - from the water! The cruise often takes you along the canals. Sights include the houseboats, passing the Anne Frank Museum, the Magere Brug or Skinny Bridge between the Keizersgracht and Prinsengracht canals, as well as other monuments and museums. Finally, the cruise will take you to one of its most famous attractions: the Xtracold Icebar. Here, even the glasses are made of ice!
• The combined pass to the XtraCold Ice Bar, cruise and Amsterdam sightseeing bus: This pass includes a tour of the city centre on the sightseeing bus, a cruise along Amsterdam's canals and the XtraCold Icebar experience. The tour is flexible, the cruises usually leave every 15 minutes, and on the bus you have a map with the route of the stops. And if that's not enough, the ticket includes 3 drinks at the ice bar. This is an ideal all-in-one tour for those interested in seeing Amsterdam in 1 day at the best price.
• Combined tickets to Amsterdam's XtraCold Ice Bar and Club Escape: Amsterdam has an exciting nightlife and a wide variety of clubs, bars and other venues to choose from. But if you're in the mood for an unforgettable night out, book your visit to the XtraCold Icebar and Escape Club. This package will take you on an unforgettable journey through time and space as you explore the Arctic with Dutch explorer Willem Barents before dancing the night away in one of the Netherlands' trendiest clubs.

The Amsterdam Xtracold Icebar is an adults-only experience. Since 2018, entry to the Amsterdam ice bar has been limited to those over 18 years of age and you may be required to show a valid ID, especially if you're like Thomas Brodie-Sangster, who has kept his boyish face since Nanny McPhee.

You know what's better than a trip to Amsterdam? A trip to Amsterdam with an extra cold stop at the city's Xtracold Icebar, but can everyone enjoy the experience? That's not guaranteed as the place is quite crowded.

If you want to be sure to get in, and who doesn't, then you'll want to book your ticket to the Amsterdam Ice Bar as well as the time of entry and avoid the queue at the ticket office. This bar has a limited capacity and is often packed on weekends and public holidays. It is one of the top attractions on any list of things to do in Amsterdam in the summer, so it is advisable to book in advance.

Another advantage of booking tickets is that you can organise your group visit, either with your friends or family to share the experience at the same time.

Please note that when booking your ticket to the Amsterdam Icebar, there is no food on offer and to maintain the cleanliness of the venue it is advisable to avoid food. What about drinks? Being a drinks-only tavern, you can expect signature and classic cocktails with the signature Xtracold Icebar.

With your ticket you receive one gold and two silver coins, the first to be exchanged at the Lounge Bar, the entrance bar, and the others to be exchanged at the ice bar.

What kind of drinks are on offer in the Lounge Bar

The Front Lounge Bar is the first stop for all visitors to the Xtracold Icebar Amsterdam, and is the place where most of the time is spent. Here you can enjoy a wide variety of drinks, including alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails. Check out their menu here.

Most visitors recommend trying the 'Amsterdamned', a mix of gin, peach liqueur, cranberry juice and freshly squeezed lime juice, but you can also opt for the classic Heineken beer or their 'Artic Ice Bar' cocktail. The most popular non-alcoholic cocktails at the Front Lounge Bar are the Mojito, the Sex on the Beach and the non-alcoholic Amsterdamned.

And if one drink is not enough for you, you can buy additional drinks, or wait for your second stop on this tour, the ice bar.

What kind of drinks are on offer at the Ice Bar

After a few drinks in the Front Lounge Bar, you're ready to enter the Ice Bar. After putting on the coat and gloves provided by the bar, you will enter a world like no other, where both your drinks and your surroundings are frozen.

Once inside, you will be able to exchange your silver tokens for two drinks of your choice. You can choose from five shots: vodka shot with nuts and nougat, vodka shot with whipped cream, white vodka shot, vodka shot with coconut and sambuca. If you prefer something lighter, opt for a Heineken beer and enjoy your personalised Heineken experience.

The experience goes up a notch when you receive your drinks served in fully frozen themed glasses and just like in the entrance lounge, here you can also purchase additional drinks.

Monday to Sunday between 11.45am and 1am. Please note that the recommended experience is 40 - 60 minutes and last admission is one hour before closing time.

Important: Amsterdam Ice Bar is closed on 27 April for King's Day.

The Xtracold Icebar is located at Amstel 194-196, 1017 AG Amsterdam, 450 metres (6 minutes walk) from one of Amsterdam's best museums, the Jewish Museum. How to get there:

• By metro: trains 51, 53 and 54 stop at Waterlooplein metro station, from there it will take you three minutes to get to the bar.
• By tram: Take trams 4 and 14 from Amsterdam Central Station and get off at Rembrandtplein (two stops), then you will find the bar a three-minute walk away.
• By sightseeing bus: stop number 4 (Waterlooplein) is part of the regular route of Amsterdam's best sightseeing buses, it's a four-minute walk to the bar. Buy your Amsterdam sightseeing bus pass and take advantage of this means of transport to get to the rest of the places on your trip.
• By car: This is not the most popular option in the Dutch capital. However, if you feel like it, the closest car park is the Mercedes parking inprotant, which you can find at Herengracht, 1017 CJ, a 150-metre walk along the Amstel. Another option is to park at the Waterlooplein car park, which is located at Valkenburgerstraat 238, 1011, 190 metres walk from Blauwbrug and Waterlooplein. Here is a map with their locations.

Please note when purchasing your ticket to the Amsterdam Icebar that the experience is designed to be enjoyed for 40 - 60 minutes between the two environments.

You often spend about 30 minutes in the Lounge bar and, after warming up with your first drink, you change your clothes to enter the heart and soul of the place, the ice bar, where you have a couple of extra drinks for free.

It is important to mention that, for the duration of your visit, 60 minutes from your entrance, you can go out for a smoke or do anything else you feel like, you just need to keep your ticket with you to show at the entrance on your return.

• The XtraCold Icebar experience is a must on your list of things to see and do in Amsterdam. Entry is by appointment, which means it is timed. The duration time is 40-60 minutes (if you can resist it), the important thing is that you arrive in time to make use of your reservation. Please note that once your entry time arrives, they only wait three minutes and if you are not there it is considered a "no-show" so you lose your ticket. The recommendation is to arrive early, at least 10 minutes before your time.
• Amsterdam's XtraCold Icebar is a cheap adult experience, starting at €28. However, there is no special discount policy for students, seniors or people with disabilities.
• The two atmospheres of this ice bar are cramped and between the lights, drinks and sounds, it might be too loud for people with special sensitivities such as adults on the autistic spectrum.
• Bring your ID, you may be asked for it at the entrance.
• Self-photography is allowed on the premises, but if you prefer professional photos, a professional photographer is also available for an additional fee so that your only occupation is to enjoy the experience.
• The XtraCold Icebar provides you with the clothing to enter the ice bar. It is XXXL in size, so it will fit almost anyone, however, be aware that if you are very slim or have a wider waist, you may not feel as comfortable. You can wear whatever clothing you feel is appropriate. In any case, keep in mind that you will spend approximately 20 minutes inside the ice bar.
• Smoking is not allowed, the vice for before or after the visit.
• I don't think you have any doubts, but if you do, I can confirm: it is one of the most original things to do in Amsterdam.