Minus 5 Ice Bar

Things heating up a bit too much for you with all the adrenalin activities in Queenstown and you need to chill out; In the need of an ice cold drink; Or you just want a different experience of drinking out of a glass made of ice in the freezing cold? Then head to Minus 5 degrees Ice Bar.

Right on the boardwalk near where the TSS Earnslaw steam ship docks, you will find the ‘booking office’ for the Ice Bar. This is where you make your reservation, ‘check in’, get all rugged up in the winter jackets and boots (if you are not wearing your own closed in shoes) and yes they are sheepskin boots... well, we are in New Zealand. Once everyone has checked in and is suitably attired, a member of the staff takes you through an arcade to the entrance to the Ice Bar where you pass through one set of doors and then another, (this part of the procedure is a little like herding sheep) and into the baa... I mean, into the bar we go.

There are approximately a dozen people in the bar at any one time. It is a small area and everything you see except the cash register and the bottles holding the alcohol, has been carved out of ice. There are many ice sculptures scattered around the room, a couple of seats that I found people only use for photo ops and some tall tables that came in handy for holding your drink while you got snap happy with the camera. The word that I kept hearing in the bar and each time I showed my photos to anyone back home was “Cool!”, and it was so cool. Yes, literally cool, but it was a really cool thing to do.

As Lauren was running late, I chatted to anyone and everyone and ended up making friends with a lovely couple from Canberra who had forgotten to take their camera, so I offered to take some photos of them with mine and send copies to them. Brian was a character and ended up eating his glass, as he correctly stated, there were no nibbles provided. You would think for NZD25 for half an hour and one drink there might be at least a peanut to eat, but then you do need two hands to hold your drink, and your hands are enclosed in woollen gloves, so it might get a little messy.

I enjoyed two drinks; the first that came with the price of admission, was the ‘Arctic Sunrise’ – Absolute vodka, cointreau, pineapple juice and passionfruit pulp. The second drink which cost an extra NZD12 was the ‘Morning Frost’ – Absolute Vanilla, peach schnapps, peach juice, mango juice and passionfruit pulp. Both drinks were Y.U.M.M.Y! It was a little pricey, but it was a great experience, and we did have a great half hour; and I have made some new friends. :)

At the end of the half hour, as you leave the bar, because the ice glasses don’t fair too well in the dishwasher, you get to smash them in a bin as you leave, it all adds to the experience.

A fun half hour! The jackets and gloves are supplied. One drink is included in the admission price if it alchohol based or two if non alchoholic. You can buy more if you have time. I found it hard to get through 1 drink. The glass is made of ice like everything else in the freezer. They have some beautiful ice sculptures. On the way out you can throw the glass into the bin and smash it. A great way to spend a half hour. It is some thing I would recommend for people of any age. If you need to sit down, the ice seats do have throw rugs on them. :-)