June 14, 2024
There is no other bar in Amsterdam that is anything like the Icebar. It really is a unique experience in the city, that is fun for everyone over 18. A ticket is required for this bar and they do sell out, so be sure to book your visit in advance.
Fun facts about the Amsterdam Icebar
- The Amsterdam Icebar first opened in 2010 to promote Heineken’s Extra Cold Beer.
- In 2015, a complete renovation brought a whole new world to the bar. From February 2015, visitors have been joining Willem Barentsz on his journey to the Arctic.
- Every year, the ice in the bar gets replaced to keep everything looking its best
- Since 2018, over 1 million people have visited the Amsterdam Icebar
- After the ice glasses have been used, they are melted down
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An Arctic adventure in Amsterdam
When you step into the Amterdam Icebar, you leave behind the modern streets of the city and find yourself in a late 16th-century bar to get ready to explore the Arctic. You’ll join the crew of Willem Barentsz as he prepares for his third attempt to find the Northeast Passage, a possible shorter route to the Indies. Every time Barentsz attempted the trip, he was thwarted by ice, and this third attempt was worse than the first two.
While you will only spend about 20 minutes in the actual frozen icebar, Barentsz and his crew were stuck on Nova Zembla for almost a year. They had limited supplies, were constantly under threat from polar bears and hypothermia. You will be able to stay warm with the coat and gloves the bar provides you with, and the polar bears in the icebar are already frozen solid.
Willem Barentzs didn’t make it back to Amsterdam from his trip. Only 12 of his crewmembers did make it back in November 1597. We are sure you will have no problem surviving your adventure!
A look at the Xtracold Icebar Amsterdam's Drinks Menu
Your visit to the Icebar includes 3 free drinks. The first is in the front bar, before you enter the actual ice bar. Then the two other drinks are served in the frozen world of the icebar. Of course, there are different options for you to choose between.
In the front bar you can choose between several cocktails and a large beer or you can ask the bartender for another option, see all the options here. For your two drinks in the icebar, you can choose between different types of shots, an Extra Cold Heineken or a non-alcoholic option. If you are not quite ready to end your adventure there, you can order more drinks in the front bar from the drinks menu.
Prepare for your Icebar visit
Before you visit this top Amsterdam attraction, we recommend you keep the following things in mind:
- You should show up 20 minutes before your timeslot, as the timeslot indicates when you can enter the actual Icebar. Most visits last about 45 minutes, including the time before the timeslot.
- It is -10° Celsius in the Icebar, so it is recommended to where closed shows and long pants or something that covers your legs.
- You can take as many photos and videos as you like in the bar. Be sure to share them online with us or the Icebar themselves.
- Book your Icebar tickets now to make sure you don’t miss out on this frozen adventure in the heart of Amsterdam!
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