Raising the bar: Five Orlando watering holes where form is just as important as function
By Erin SullivanPage 2 of 6
The Big Chill: IceBar Orlando
The first thing you need to know about Icebar, opened by Orlando resident Patz Turner in 2008 after she visited an icebar in Sweden, is that you will absolutely want to wear the parkas and gloves the “ice princesses” at the front door offer you with your admission fee ($12.95 if you buy online, $19.95 and up at the door).
It’s literally freezing inside the Icebar, which is a permanent room constructed from 70 tons of carved ice – from the walls to the bar decor to the glasses from which you sip your icy cocktails, everything in the bar is made of ice, which means they keep that room cold.
The thermometer measured a frigid 20 degrees during our recent visit, and even though they cover the barstools – also made of ice – with faux-fur pelts, sitting down is something of a chilling experience. Don’t worry – the entire building isn’t an ice palace. The icebar is actually just one room in the larger facility, which also houses the less dramatic – but far warmer – Fire Lounge where you can recover after your foray into the arctic.
Icebar Orlando, 8967 International Drive | icebarorlando.com
We welcome readers to submit letters regarding articles and content in Orlando Weekly. Letters should be a minimum of 150 words, refer to content that has appeared on Orlando Weekly, and must include the writer's full name, address, and phone number for verification purposes. No attachments will be considered. Writers of letters selected for publication will be notified via email. Letters may be edited and shortened for space.
Email us at feedback@orlandoweekly.com.
Orlando Weekly works for you, and your support is essential.
Our small but mighty local team works tirelessly to bring you high-quality, uncensored news and cultural coverage of Central Florida.
Unlike many newspapers, ours is free – and we'd like to keep it that way, because we believe, now more than ever, everyone deserves access to accurate, independent coverage of their community.
Whether it's a one-time acknowledgement of this article or an ongoing pledge, your support helps keep Orlando’s true free press free.
Related Stories
Latest in Food & Drink Stories
-
Prime burgers go great with real talk about the pandemic, racial injustice and the fantasy football waiver wire
Sep 16, 2020 -
Special orders are Michelle Hulbert's specialty at Orlando bakery Michelle, Maker of Sweet Things
Sep 9, 2020 -
The fare at Mia’s Italian Kitchen knocks us out in every sense of the word
Sep 2, 2020 - More »
More by Erin Sullivan
-
Yes, it’s still legal to visit Cuba. Here’s how I did it
Apr 25, 2018 -
Goodbye, Billy
Aug 2, 2017 -
Rapper Riff Raff brings the 'Peach Panther' to Backbooth
Jan 11, 2017 - More »
Most Popular
-
FK Your Diet, Moge Tee, Coterie Coffee and more new restaurants in Orlando Read More
-
Lombardi's Seafood in Winter Park expands its cafe menu with sushi, poke and more Read More
-
Nikki's Place in Parramore plates a ladleful of history with their meat-and-threes Read More
-
West Colonial Drive's Tokyo Ramen Fusion Cuisine offers global riffs on the classic slurp Read More
-
Orlando restaurant openings: What the Chuck, Russell's on Lake Ivanhoe, Da Sun Ramen and 14 more Read More
