Orlando will soon be home to the largest ice bar in the country, maintained for 365 days a year, when Icebar Orlando opens on October 1. The venue, which broke ground on August 13, will feature 4,000 square feet of functional meeting space; in the highlight ice bar, everything within the room-including walls, sculptures, tables, and the bar itself-will be made of ice, approximately 50 tons of it.
The undertaking is mostly a local effort, as managing partners Ron and Pat Turner brought in local vendors and architects, including Bill Whidden of Bill Whidden Designs and Ice Magic, to assist with the design and construction of the space, as well as the talents of Aaron Costic, world-champion ice sculptor.
"We are estimating that it is going to take five to seven days to build the ice in the freezer. We will be using 15,000 gallons of water to create the 50 tons of ice and will be changing the design every six months," said Whidden.
Icebar temperatures will be kept at 27 degrees Fahrenheit, and as many as 50 guests at a time will be welcomed for 45-minute increments. Though guests will be given special capes and gloves, as well as vodka served in individual ice glasses, the time limit is the longest proprietors expect guests can endure the cold and still have a good time.
When patrons arrive at the venue, they will enter through the 3,000-square-foot Chill Lounge, featuring chandeliers and metal bead curtains paired with color-gel lighting and plasma TVs.
The venue also offers outdoor space in the form of an iceless 750-square-foot patio. Icebar welcomes children and offers them discounted rates, as well as nonalcoholic beverages.
Reservations are strongly encouraged, though walk-ins are allowed. Guests are asked to arrive 30 minutes before the time they would like to enter. Both the bar and lounge are available for buyout either separately or together.
