- On July 1, 2026
- Bezienswaardigheden
The Ice Bar Amsterdam sounds gimmicky, and plenty of visitors worry it is a tourist trap with tiny drinks and a short spell in the cold. Prices and hours online contradict each other, so it is easy to overpay or turn up at the wrong time. Here is the honest, up-to-date rundown: what XtraCold Icebar actually includes, what it costs, and whether the sub-zero room is worth your evening.
Last reviewed: September 2026. Prices and opening hours change by season and demand, so always confirm on the booking page or the official site before you go.
What Is the Ice Bar Amsterdam?
When people say the Ice Bar Amsterdam, they mean one place: XtraCold Icebar. There is no separate rival venue, so treat the two names as the same thing. It is a bar where the walls, the tables, the chairs, the art and even the glass you drink from are carved out of real ice, kept at around minus 10 degrees Celsius (about 14 degrees Fahrenheit) all year round.
The theme leans into a polar expedition. A few tellings tie it to the Dutch explorer Willem Barentsz and his push toward the North Pole, and the styling runs with that frozen, far-north feel. Expect illuminated ice sculptures and ice furniture rather than a full ice palace or ice hotel. It is a novelty bar first, so keep your expectations sized to a bar, not a museum.
How the Two-Part Experience Works
This is not just one cold room. Your visit comes in two halves, and that design is a big part of why it works.
You start in a warm lounge done up as a themed sailor’s tavern. Your first drink is served here, at normal room temperature, so you can settle in and warm up before the cold. When you are ready, staff hand you a thermal cape or poncho and a pair of gloves, both included, and you step through into the actual ice bar.
Inside, the temperature drops to that year-round minus 10 or so. Your drinks here come in glasses made of ice. It is loud, blue-lit and genuinely cold, which is the whole point. After your time in the freeze, you head back out to the warm lounge, where you can stay as long as you like.
Ice Bar Amsterdam Prices, Hours and What Is Included
A standard ticket is built around three drinks: one in the warm lounge and two served in ice glasses inside the cold room, with cocktail, beer or shot options. The thermal cape and gloves are included, and you can buy more drinks once your three are done.
Prices and hours are the two things that shift the most, so hedge them and check before you commit. Here is the current picture based on what the venue and the main booking sites report.
| Detail | Wat u kunt verwachten |
|---|---|
| Online ticket price | Around 22 to 28 euros; off-peak online deals can be a little lower. Confirm on the booking page. |
| Door / walk-up price | Usually higher than booking online in advance. |
| Drinks included | Three: one in the warm lounge, two in ice glasses inside the ice bar. |
| Provided gear | Thermal cape or poncho and gloves. |
| Temperature | Around minus 10 degrees Celsius (about 14 degrees Fahrenheit), year-round. |
| Time in the ice room | Up to about 20 minutes before it gets too cold. |
| Total visit | Roughly 30 to 45 minutes including the warm lounge. |
| Openingstijden | Vary by day and season. Often mid-afternoon on weekdays and earlier on weekends; last admission is usually around 40 to 45 minutes before closing. Confirm current hours. |
| Age policy | Strictly 18 and over. No children, no strollers. |
| Locatie | Amstel 194-196, by Rembrandtplein in the city center. |
Booking online is the best value and it locks in your slot on busy nights. If a source shows a hard price, treat it as a rough guide, since the numbers move around.
Check XtraCold Icebar tickets →
How Long Do You Actually Spend Inside?
Here is a common mix-up worth clearing up. The whole visit runs around 30 to 45 minutes, but the time inside the cold room itself is shorter: up to about 20 minutes. That cap is not a rule so much as your body making the call, because minus 10 degrees stops being novel fairly quickly.
Once you have had enough of the freeze, you return to the warm lounge with no timer. That is where the flexible part of your evening lives. So if you were picturing an hour surrounded by ice, adjust: the ice bar is a short, sharp hit, and the tavern is the hangout.
Who Is It For? Strictly 18 and Over
Read this before you plan around it. XtraCold Icebar is an adult, alcohol-focused venue, not a family attraction. It has been strictly 18 and over since 2018. Children and babies are not admitted, and strollers or prams are not allowed inside.
That matters, because a generic “ice bar” can sound like a fun stop for kids who want to see ice sculptures. This one is not that. Bring photo ID, because you may be asked for it at the door. If you are traveling with children and want something frosty and family-friendly, this is the wrong pick.
Where it shines is groups of adults: friends, a birthday, a stag or hen night, couples after dinner, or anyone who wants a quick, photogenic something-different between other plans. It sits neatly inside a night out rather than filling a whole afternoon.
Is the Ice Bar Amsterdam Worth It? An Honest Take
Reviews land around 4.1 stars, which is a fair summary: mixed but leaning positive. As a one-off novelty it delivers. The photos are great, the staff are often funny and welcoming, and it is an easy crowd-pleaser for a group.
The honest downsides are worth knowing so you are not caught out:
- The ice room is small and your time inside is short, so it can feel over quickly.
- Drinks are modest in size, which is normal for this kind of venue but still surprises some people.
- It can get crowded and feel touristy; the phrase “walk-in freezer” comes up in critical reviews for a reason.
- Souvenirs are pricey, so decide in advance whether you want them.
- There is a no-personal-camera policy. Staff take photos inside that you can buy afterward, so do not expect to shoot your own gallery in the cold room.
My take: go in treating it as a fun 30-to-45-minute novelty with drinks and a few good pictures, and it is easily worth it, especially at the online price. Go in expecting a grand ice palace or a long night, and you will feel short-changed. Booking ahead online is the move that keeps it good value.
Where the Ice Bar Amsterdam Is and Getting There
The address is Amstel 194-196, right in the city center along the Amstel river and a stone’s throw from Rembrandtplein. That location is a genuine plus. You are surrounded by bars, restaurants and terraces, so it is easy to fold into an evening rather than making a special trip.
It is very central and walkable from most of the old town, and the square out front is a well-known meeting point with plenty of tram links nearby. Because it is so short, the ice bar pairs well with dinner around Rembrandtplein first or drinks in the area afterward.
Combine It With a Canal Cruise or the City Card
Since a visit is quick, it is a natural add-on. A popular pairing is a canal cruise plus the ice bar: you get an hour on the water and then a warm-up drink turned cold-room novelty, often bundled at a friendlier price than booking each separately.
Book the canal cruise + Icebar combo →
If you are stacking several attractions, it is also worth checking the I amsterdam City Card, which bundles transport and entry to many sights and can change the maths on a trip like this. For a wider plan, our guide to the best things to do in Amsterdam helps you slot the ice bar around the rest of your days.
Tips for Visiting the Ice Bar Amsterdam
- Book online in advance. It is cheaper than the door and secures your time on busy weekend evenings.
- Dress in normal layers. The cape and gloves are provided, but long sleeves, closed shoes and warm socks make the cold room far more comfortable.
- Bring ID. The 18-and-over rule is enforced, so carry proof of age.
- Know the camera policy. You cannot use your own camera in the ice room; staff photos are available to buy, so budget for that if you want a keepsake.
- Watch the clock inside. The cold is fun for a short burst; retreat to the warm lounge before you are shivering rather than smiling.
- Confirm the hours. Opening times swing between weekdays and weekends and by season, so check the current schedule before you head over.
Veelgestelde vragen
How much does the Ice Bar Amsterdam cost?
Booked online, XtraCold Icebar tickets usually run around 22 to 28 euros, with off-peak deals sometimes a little lower and walk-up prices at the door higher. Prices shift by season and demand, so check the current price on the booking page before you go.
How cold is the Ice Bar in Amsterdam?
The ice room is kept at around minus 10 degrees Celsius (about 14 degrees Fahrenheit) all year. You wear a provided thermal cape and gloves, so it is manageable for a short visit, but it gets cold fast.
How long do you stay in the Amsterdam Ice Bar?
Plan for around 30 to 45 minutes in total. You can stay in the actual ice room for up to about 20 minutes before the cold sends you back to the warm lounge, where you can linger as long as you like.
Is the Ice Bar Amsterdam worth it?
As a fun one-off novelty it is worth it for the photos, the friendly staff and a group night out, with reviews landing around 4.1 stars. Just keep expectations realistic: the ice room is small, drinks are modest and it can feel touristy. Booking online is the best value.
Where is the Ice Bar in Amsterdam located?
It is at Amstel 194-196 in the city center, right by Rembrandtplein and along the Amstel river. It is very central and easy to reach on foot from most of the old town.
What is included in the XtraCold Icebar ticket?
A standard ticket includes three drinks (one in the warm lounge and two served in ice glasses inside the ice bar) plus the thermal cape and gloves you need for the cold room. You can buy extra drinks afterward.
Is there an age limit for the Amsterdam Ice Bar?
Yes. XtraCold Icebar is strictly 18 and over, and has been since 2018. Children and babies are not admitted, and strollers or prams are not allowed inside. Bring ID.
Do you need to book the Ice Bar Amsterdam in advance?
It is smart to book online in advance. Online tickets are cheaper than the door and pre-booking secures your slot on busy weekend evenings. Confirm the current hours before you travel, as they change by day and season.