The official Opening Party of the new Amsterdam's hotspot took place last Thursday, the 7th of September. Unfortunately I could join only after 21.00, so I was not able to enjoy the afternoon events.

Amsterdam Xtracold

I was told that some selected guests reached Xtracold by water taxi, boat, canoe, (what about Venetian Gondola?) and at their arrival they were entertained by a 'polar bear jumping from an airplane and swimming in the water of the Amstel' '

I arrived with some friends just after the speech of the designer Jan des Bouvrie. At the entry to welcome guests the two ladies had more clothes than last Tuesday: no bikini with black and white body paint, but a lovely white outfit. Of course 'my friend' Alfons, the butler was there too. 

The Some like it hot cocktail

The beginning of the Opening party

Once inside the 'Some like it Hot' lounge I realized that reaching the bar was a little bit difficult: the place was completely packed and there were many photographers and local TV as well as Dutch celebrities. When finally I was able to order my drink, my choice was between (guess what?) the 'Some like it hot' and the 'Some like it cold' cocktail. I found the 'Some like it hot' very interesting: prepared with Smirnoff vodka and red pepper/mango juice, it is served with some red peppers on the top. I decided to try it ' very hot and spicy , just what you need before entering the Ice Bar!!! 

Wilfred Hunsel (Ditems Ent. Group)

With my friends we decided to go to the back of the warm lounge where the Ice Bar entry is. Just like last time before we entered we were dressed up with thermo jacket and gloves. Of course we were thinking about the cold temperature (minus seven degrees), but once inside, we forgot about that looking at the ice furniture: the bar, walls, tables, benches and of course, glasses.

The party inside the Ice Bar

 
Glasses are basically ice cubes with a hole and you really need your thermo gloves to hold your glass of vodka. Some barmen claim that vodka served in ice glasses has a unique taste, but for me the Ice Bar is great because you can dance all night and never sweat! You can stay inside the Ice Bar around 30 minutes, but then it is better for you to go out, if you don't want to become part of the furniture'  

The ice bench

Sara, part of the furniture?

While enjoying my drink in the Ice Bar, I saw somebody familiar'   Yes it was him, the football player Ruud Gullit! Well, how could I not recognize the 'ex rasta hair guy', who has been playing for so many years in Italy?

Ruud Gullit

I dared to say some sentences in Italian to Mr. Gullit. To be honest, I asked for a picture with me and my friend Sara. He replied to me in Italian and was very kind to accept my request. I also got to take a picture of the Dutch famous chef and owner of several restaurants, Herman den Blijker, with some of his team.

Herman den Blijker

Then it was really time to go back to the Some like it Hot area to recover from the polar experience. At the warm lounge I ordered a Some like it cold cocktail, made with Smirnoff vodka and lychee juice: nice taste, but my preference stays for the Some like it hot one.

The Xtracold staff

The party was still going on when I left just before 1.00 am. Certainly it was a long day for the organizers and the staff!

For more information about Xtracold you can visit the website www.xtracold.com