Experience the XtraCold Ice Bar in Amsterdam

Posted by Rachel in Amsterdam on 09 7th, 2010 | No comments yet - be the first one!

Have you got what it takes to endure an ice cold bar? If you’re heading to Amsterdam, then one unusual bar that’s worth the experience is the XtraCold Ice Bar.

Located in the heart of Amsterdam, the XtraCold Ice Bar is a specialist bar that is entirely made out of ice. The Ice Bar was created by Dutch designer Jan des Bouvrie and aims to illustrate the differences between hot and cold. The ice sculptures in the bar are contributed by artists from around the world.

Amazingly, the walls of the bar, the bar stools, the glasses you drink out of and the interior décor are all sculpted out of frozen ice. Each year the Ice Bar is entirely rebuilt, using a massive 30 tons of ice and every six years it’s given a different theme inside.

Entrance to the Ice Bar is in the form of a ticket, currently costing Euro19.50 per person. When you first arrive, you’ll enter a normal looking bar, with the logo, “Some Like it Hot,” adorning the wall. It’s cosy and warm, with a stylish interior. You can have a drink here, just like at any other bar, catch up with your friends, have some food and relax.

The Ice Bar itself has temperatures of minus 10C, so in order to cope with the dramatic change in temperature, you need appropriate clothing. Don’t worry, you don’t need to cart your own winter woollies with you, as the Ice Bar provides specialist thermal clothing for you to wear, including space-like thermal silver jackets, warm gloves and insulated warm boots.

When you’re suited and booted, it’s time to enter the Ice Bar! As you walk through the bar you’ll be greeted by an ice cold atmosphere and the words, “Some Like it Cold” – it’s exceedingly chilly and the rock hard ice creates an interesting effect. The bar is livened up by incredible life-size ice sculptures and you can sit on bar stools made of ice.

Included in the Ice Bar ticket price are two free cocktails in the Icebar. Choose between a Smirnoff Vodka cocktail or a Heniken XtraCold beer. Once you’re in the bar, it’s not just a case of enjoying your drinks – there’s also an exhilarating 4D Ice Xperience. You’ll be given special goggles to wear and will get to see a 3D animation, that will transport you for a ride through an icy landscape.

The whole ice experience lasts 30 minutes, then you’ll be able to get back to the comfort of the hot zone.

XtraCold Ice Bar