This Orlando, Florida Ice Bar Uses 70 Tons Of Ice And Serves Cocktails In Frozen Glasses
Somebody in Florida keeps a room at 22 degrees every single day of the year. On purpose. The walls, the seats, and the art inside are all carved from more than 70 tons of ice.
Even your drink shows up in a glass made of ice. I love that detail, because it turns the cup into part of the show. It’s hard to forget sipping from something that matches the walls.
Staff hand out thermal capes and gloves before you head inside. Then, when your fingers beg for mercy, a warm lounge with music and food waits right next door.
I can’t imagine a smarter way to dodge a sticky Florida evening. It feels like a vacation inside a vacation. So how cold are you willing to get for a great photo?
Pack A Sense Of Humor, Because The Thermostat Reads 22 Degrees
Most Florida spots brag about air conditioning, but ICEBAR Orlando takes the idea much further. Its main room stays at a frosty 22 degrees Fahrenheit all year long.
That number holds steady in July, in January, and during every sticky afternoon in between. Outside, you might be sweating through your shirt.
Inside, the whole space works like a giant walk-in freezer with far better decorations. The cold side sits right beside a warm lounge.
The contrast is the whole point. You get two very different rooms under one roof, and you can bounce between them.
ICEBAR Orlando opens its doors at 5 PM every day of the week. Closing times shift, with later nights on Fridays and Saturdays.
Plan your visit for the evening, then. It works well after a long day at the theme parks, when cool air sounds like a gift.
My advice is simple: treat the cold room like a short adventure, not a place to camp out all night. Your nose will thank you for that plan.
And yes, Florida really does have a room this chilly. It’s one of the stranger, more delightful facts about the Sunshine State.
Seventy Tons Of Ice Never Looked This Artsy
Over 70 tons of ice went into this place. That’s roughly the weight of several loaded school buses, and every bit was shaped on purpose.
The walls are ice. The seats are ice, and so is the bar where your drink gets poured.
Sculptors carve the frozen blocks into detailed art pieces around the room. The designs can change over time, so a second visit might look different from the first.
Colored LED lights glow through the clear carvings and shift across the walls. The effect turns the room into something like a frozen cave at a laser show.
Photo lovers, this is your moment. The glowing ice makes a striking backdrop, and you’ll want more than one shot.
A quick tip: keep your phone in a pocket between photos. Batteries can drain faster in cold air, and gloves make tapping a screen tricky.
Take a slow lap before you pick a favorite carving. Small details are easy to miss when you’re busy shivering and grinning at the same time.
Remember that all of it stays frozen thanks to that steady 22-degree chill. In a state famous for humidity, that alone feels like a magic trick.
Your Glass Is Made Of Ice, So Hold It With Gloves
ICEBAR Orlando serves its signature cocktails in custom-carved glasses made entirely from ice. No plastic, no glassware, just a frozen cup in your gloved hand.
It sounds like a gimmick until you hold one. Then it becomes the most memorable cup you’ve ever used.
The ice glass keeps whatever is inside cold from start to finish. In a 22-degree room, it isn’t melting anywhere fast.
Non-alcoholic specialty options are on the menu as well. That means nobody in your group gets left holding an empty glove.
Snap a picture of your frozen glass before you take a sip. It’s the kind of detail friends back home will ask about.
Hold it with your gloves on, not bare fingers. Ice and skin aren’t great partners for long, and the gloves are there for a reason.
ICEBAR Orlando offers several packages, including a date night option. Looking over the choices before you go makes planning the evening easier.
Think of it as a cup that matches the walls, the seats, and the bar. Talk about a serious commitment to a theme.
Capes, Gloves, And A Faux Fur Upgrade For Fancy Shivering
Nobody expects you to pack a parka for a Florida vacation. ICEBAR Orlando solved that problem a long time ago.
With admission to the ice side, you get an insulated thermal cape and gloves. They go on right before you head into the cold.
Want to look like a movie star at a ski lodge? Faux fur coats are available for an extra charge.
The fur option is a fun pick for photos. It adds a dash of glamour and pairs nicely with glowing ice walls.
Your feet matter here too. Closed-toe shoes are the smart choice, since flip-flops and icy floors are not a winning team.
For clothing, the venue suggests dressy casual, resort casual, or nightclub style. Think nice night out, not hiking trail.
Long pants are a friendly move for your legs. The cape covers your top half, but your knees will notice the chill.
Go hands-free if you can. You’ll want both hands ready for your ice glass and your camera.
Everyone looks a little funny in matching capes. That’s honestly half the charm.
The gear goes back when you leave the cold room. Then you’re free to warm up and plan your next round of frozen photos.
The Fire Lounge Is Where Your Fingers Get Their Feeling Back
Right next to the frozen room sits the Fire Lounge, and the name tells you everything. It is kept at a comfortable room temperature, offering a warm contrast to the 22-degree ice bar next door.
This is actually the largest part of the venue. It’s where people dance, eat, and hang out between trips into the cold.
Red lighting and faux flame accents give the room a fiery look. It’s a playful opposite to the icy glow next door.
There is typically no cover charge for the Fire Lounge, although special events may have one.
DJs often spin music here, and the venue hosts theme nights. Checking the event lineup ahead of time helps you pick the right night.
The lounge also has room for dancing, which is a clever way to warm up fast. Few things fix cold toes like a good song.
I like how the two spaces play off each other. You freeze, you thaw, you laugh, and then you go back for more.
If someone in your group isn’t into the cold, they can relax here comfortably. Nobody misses out on the fun of the night.
Flatbreads, Burgers, And Tacos Keep The Shivers Company
All that shivering can work up an appetite. Luckily, the Fire Lounge serves a full food menu.
The lineup includes flatbreads, slider trios, and tacos. It’s casual, crowd-friendly food that fits a fun night out.
Flatbreads are easy to share around a table. Pass a few slices, compare notes on the ice room, and plan your next trip inside.
Beef sliders bring a heartier option for anyone who skipped dinner after the parks. Tacos land somewhere in the middle, perfect for snacking between dances.
Eating in the warm lounge makes sense for another reason. Your fingers work better, and nobody has to juggle food with thick gloves.
ICEBAR Orlando also offers a date night package. It’s a handy pick for couples who want food and the frozen room planned together.
Groups can look into catering for private events too. That makes the space a solid choice for birthdays, office outings, and other celebrations.
My tip is to eat first, then head to the ice side. I believe a full stomach makes the cold room even more fun.
Hungry and curious is a great combination here. The food keeps the evening going long after your first frozen photo.
Kids Can Join The Frozen Fun Before 9 PM
Families get a nice surprise here: kids are welcome on the ice side at certain times. Guests ages eight and up can visit between 5 PM and 9 PM daily.
That window makes ICEBAR Orlando a cool stop after a day at the parks. Young visitors get the same capes, gloves, and frozen scenery.
Non-alcoholic specialty options mean kids get their own frozen-glass moment. Few souvenirs beat a photo of a kid holding a cup made of ice.
After 9 PM, the place shifts toward adult nightlife. So if you’re bringing children, plan an early evening visit.
Talk about the cold before you go, especially with younger kids. Twenty-two degrees is a big jump from Florida heat.
Dress them in closed-toe shoes and long pants if possible. Small details like that make the visit more comfortable for everyone.
Turn it into a science lesson while you’re inside. Ask kids how they think 70 tons of ice stays frozen in a state this warm.
Kids will likely love the colorful lights most of all. Grown-ups will love that the whole thing fits into one easy evening.
Arriving close to opening gives you the most time. That family window goes by quickly.
Right On International Drive, With Free Parking Out Back
Location is a big win here. You’ll find ICEBAR Orlando at 8967 International Dr, Orlando, FL 32819.
That address puts it in one of the busiest entertainment areas in Florida. International Drive is packed with restaurants, shops, and attractions.
The venue sits within walking distance of the Orange County Convention Center. Conference attendees can swap name tags for thermal capes in minutes.
Driving in? Free parking is available behind the building, which is a welcome treat in a tourist zone.
Many hotels and attractions line the same stretch of road. That makes it easy to pair a frozen stop with dinner, a show, or a ride.
Plan to visit in the evening, since doors open at 5 PM. It’s a nice way to cool off after a hot day of sightseeing.
The spot also works for travelers who want a quick, quirky outing. You don’t need a full day, just a free evening and some curiosity.
Keep the address handy in your map app. International Drive gets busy, and knowing exactly where to turn helps.
Once you park, the cold is just steps away. Not many places on this road can say that.
America’s First Permanent Ice Bar Opened Its Doors Here
Back on October 1, 2008, ICEBAR Orlando opened its doors. It became the first permanent ice bar in the United States.
That’s a big claim for a spot in Florida, of all places. Building a frozen room in a land of palm trees took serious planning.
Ohio-based ice artist Aaron Costic crafted the original sculptures. Ice sculptor David Berman later worked on expanding the space.
The venue has kept refreshing its frozen art over the years. That’s part of why it still feels exciting to first-timers.
Today, it’s also a popular place for private events and big celebrations. VIP services and group packages cover corporate gatherings, birthdays, and parties.
Hosting an event here gives guests something to talk about for weeks. Few venues can offer a dance floor and a freezer in one booking.
I believe that history is what makes a visit feel special. You’re stepping into a piece of American nightlife history, not just a cold room.
More than fifteen years later, the idea still surprises people. A room made of ice in Orlando sounds impossible until you see it.
So bring your curiosity and your best winter pose. This frozen pioneer still knows how to make a Florida night feel brand new.









