Step inside XtraCold Icebar, the world’s first ice bar, and you’ll find everything made entirely of ice. From the walls and bar to the stools and even the glasses, it’s a fully frozen world that’s as fun to explore as it is to admire.
Your visit includes three complimentary drinks served in ice glasses. Each icy cocktail is crafted to perfection, making every sip a cool, refreshing, and playful part of the experience.
Look around and you’ll spot stunning ice sculptures and carefully designed furniture, all brought to life with colourful, lighting. It’s a magical space that makes for unforgettable photos and a truly unique vibe.
The Icebar pays tribute to Dutch navigator Willem Barentsz and his Arctic adventures. Every detail tells a story of polar exploration, giving your visit a sense of history, discovery, and a little bit of adventure
Ease into your visit in the cozy front lounge before stepping into the cold. With nautical touches and expedition-themed artifacts scattered around, it feels like a charming pub. Gear up in thermals, redeem your drinks, and enjoy warm moments before the Arctic adventure begins.
Once you enter the Icebar, the temperature drops to −10°. Every surface, from the benches and bar counter to the walls, is carved from crystal-clear ice. The glowing white and blue hues make you feel like you have been transported straight to the North Pole.
Every corner of the Icebar is filled with detailed ice carvings inspired by the explorer theme. Spot the giant polar bear, a ship’s wheel, and other Arctic elements illuminated by pastel and blue lights. It is a dream for photos, so take your time exploring and capturing memories.
The bar’s design celebrates Barentsz’s 1596 Arctic expedition. Staff members act as ship officers, ringing bells to signal the start of your icy journey, while signs share the story of how the crew survived the harsh conditions. It is a fun mix of history and immersion.
The Icebar offers a full drink menu including cocktails, beer, flavored shots, vodka, and juices. Every beverage feels extra refreshing when served in an ice glass, adding a playful twist to the experience.
Colored lights dance across the ice, creating a surreal glow throughout the chamber. The Icebar updates its theme twice a year, ensuring that each visit feels unique and visually stunning.
XtraCold Icebar Amsterdam opened in the early 2010s and quickly became one of the city’s most distinctive themed attractions. The venue was created as a novelty bar experience combining sub-zero temperatures with immersive storytelling. A major renovation took place in 2015, during which the bar introduced its now well-known theme inspired by Dutch explorer Willem Barentsz and his Arctic voyage. Over the years, the Icebar has refreshed its sculptures, décor, and ice installations to maintain the frozen environment, regularly rebuilding the interior with freshly carved ice.
XtraCold Amsterdam is operated by a commercial entertainment group that manages several tourist experiences in the city, and the Icebar was developed internally as a themed concept rather than attributed to a single designer. The interiors, including ice sculptures and structural ice elements, are produced by specialist ice artists who periodically rebuild and refresh the frozen environment.
The construction of XtraCold Icebar Amsterdam relies on a controlled environment built to maintain a constant temperature of around –10°C. The interior is recreated regularly using tons of natural ice, carved into walls, furniture, décor, and serving glasses. The bar uses insulated chambers, industrial cooling systems, and layered safety structures behind the visible ice to ensure stability and prevent melting. The result is a compact but fully immersive frozen space that blends thematic storytelling with practical engineering to recreate an Arctic-style atmosphere year-round.
The full experience lasts about 45 minutes including time in the warm lounge and roughly 20 minutes in the ice chamber
Your ticket covers thermal clothing (coat and gloves) plus three drinks: one in the lounge and two in the ice chamber
No. Drinks must be from the Icebar and are served in ice glasses; outside drinks or food are not permitted inside the ice chamber
Yes. Only guests 18 years or older are allowed, and a valid ID is required at entry
No. The icy section is limited to about 20 minutes for comfort and safety. After that you return to the warm lounge
Yes. The Icebar sits at Amstel 194–196, near the Amstel River and just a short walk from Rembrandtplein
