If you’re looking for a truly unforgettable sensory experience, you should really consider XtraCold Icebar tours in Amsterdam.

Located in central Amsterdam, this chilly outing takes you into the heart of an ice cavern, where everything is frozen — the walls, the furniture, the decor and the glasses. In fact, the only thing that isn’t as cold as ice is the hospitality!

Don’t worry about the freezing temperature, entrance into the Icebar includes high-quality, cold-weather clothing, so you’ll enjoy your drinks in comfort. Similarly, if you’re not a drinker, the bar will still cater to you with a number of non-alcoholic options.

Sit your chilly behind down on a frozen barstool and enjoy a drink at -10 degrees Celsius — you literally won’t find a cooler bar than this!

Here's all you need to know about XtraCold Icebar, one of the most exciting gastronomic experiences in Amsterdam.

What are the best XtraCold Icebar tours in Amsterdam?

Skip-the-line XtraCold Icebar tour

The XtraCold Icebar is a popular destination, especially during the evening when a number of Amsterdam food tours make a point of stopping at the bar. If you don’t want to spend your night queuing in the cold before you embrace the cold we’ve got you covered — XtraCold Icebar fast-track tickets!

These tickets allow you to choose your timeslot and skip the queue when you arrive. You don’t need to worry about tickets being sold-out or whether or not you’ll get your preferred timeslot.

XtraCold Icebar plus Amsterdam canal cruise

Exploring Amsterdam canals is a wonderful way to warm up for your XtraCold Icebar visit, either before or after you put your lips to an icy cup. First, you’ll enjoy all that the frozen depths of the bar have to offer — knocking back a couple of drinks with your friends and marveling at the intricate ice sculptures.

After you had your fill, head out on a canal tour, exploring many of Amsterdam’s most famous attractions. Look out for the Anne Frank House, the Rijksmuseum and the Heineken Brewery, home to the celebrated Heineken Experience.

The cruise will also take you through the infamous Red Light District, as well as other famous areas like the historic Jewish Quarter.

What are the highlights?

Apart from being the coolest bar in Amsterdam, the XtraCold Icebar is also a popular stop for other tours. Amsterdam walking tours and hop-on hop-off bus tours frequent this bar, as well as some Amsterdam pub crawls and nightlife tours.

The inside of Amsterdam’s coolest bar is something you have to see to believe — everything is made of ice, from the chair you’ll be sitting on to the glass you’ll be sipping from. You’ll need to arrive at the XtraCold Icebar 20 minutes before your chosen timeslot to check in.

After checking in, you’ll be led to the Icebar lounge and while it’s not refrigerated, it’s still pretty chill. Here, you’ll enjoy a drink, while donning the cold-weather clothing that will keep you nice and cozy. Then it’s on to the XtraCold Icebar propper — a winter wonderland that is constantly kept at -10 degrees Celsius.

Your guide for this experience is Captain Willem Barent — commander of the Mercury, an arctic exploration vessel that got stuck during her search for the legendary northwestern passage.

Help him find a way around the island of Nova Zembla and to the warm shores of the West Indies — all while having a couple of drinks, of course.

The XtraCold Icebar combines roleplaying with a modern-day feat of engineering to create a truly unforgettable experience. You’ll spend 45 minutes aboard the stranded Mercury, and you’ll enjoy two drinks while there. If you don’t drink alcohol, don’t worry — non-alcoholic options are available for you to enjoy.

After enjoying your drinks in the Icebar, you may exit or return to the Icebar lounge for some more drinks. The bar is the perfect start to an evening and is great when combined with an Amsterdam food tour.

How much do XtraCold Icebar tours cost?

XtraCold Icebar tours with skip-the-line ticket cost around €25 per person, and the price includes three drink tokens that you can use inside the bar. Your entrance fee also includes the thermal clothing you will wear to withstand the freezing temperatures.

You can choose to enjoy the Amsterdam canal cruise before or after your visit to the XtraCold Icebar and the combination ticket costs about €40 per person. The cruise takes an hour to complete, so bear that in mind when choosing your XtraCold Icebar timeslot.

What is included?

Most XtraCold Icebar tours in Amsterdam include the entrance ticket, three free drinks at the Icebar and the use of special clothing to enjoy the Xtracold experience. The combo tours include an Amsterdam Canal Cruise for 1 hour with audio guide available in several languages.

Where does it start?

Make your way to the XtraCold Icebar at Amstel 194, located on the shore of the Amstel River in central Amsterdam. You can only enter at your booked time.

The bar is a 15-minute walk from Amsterdam’s Central Station and it will take you past landmarks like the Rembrandt House Museum, the Portuguese Synagogue and the Red Light District.

The additional 1-hour Amsterdam canal cruise departs and ends near Amsterdam Central Station.

How long does it last?

Most XtraCold Icebar tours typically last around 2.5 hours.

Are children allowed?

Participants under aged 18 are not allowed to enter the bar, and as such, there are no tickets for children.

What are the opening times?

The XtraCold Icebar is open every day of the week from 11:45 AM to 1 AM. The last admission into the bar is at 12:20 AM.

When is the best time to visit the XtraCold Icebar?

The best days of the week to visit the XtraCold Icebar are Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays with the bar becoming increasingly busy towards the weekend.

The best time of day to visit the Icebar is just as it opens at 11:45 AM or anything from 10:00 PM onwards. During these times the bar isn’t as busy making for a more pleasant experience.

What are the other gastronomic experiences in Amsterdam?

Travel tips

The XtraCold Icebar is busy during the hours of 5:00 PM and 9:00 PM. You may want to consider booking another time slot, especially over the weekend.
The XtraCold Icebar experience lasts for 45 minutes, but after that visitors may remain in the lounge bar until closing time.
You will need to check in 20 minutes before your timeslot, to confirm your reservation.
Take your ID, as it may be necessary to produce it upon entry.
Children, including infants, are not allowed.
Right of admission is reserved and the bar may refuse entry to visitors if they are intoxicated, underage or if they lack proper identification.

XtraCold Icebar: Gastronomic Tours & Experiences