Note from Karen, August 2022: It is temporarily closed.

The idea of checking out — notice I didn’t say checking in– the Hotel de Glace (ice hotel)  in Quebec  always had appeal, but I’ve never made it. Happily, now I was able to don my faux fur coat, Ugg boots and mitten loaners and experience the Ice Bar Miami, part of what’s called the new Drinkhouse Fire Lounge & Ice Bar, 1672 Collins Avenue T. (305) 534-2423. And what an experience it is.

It’s Miami’s first Ice Bar and Experimental Cocktail Fire Lounge, with an impressive 23-degree Ice Bar built with more than 100,000 pounds of ice. Precious stones, radiant gems and rare crystals from around the world are embedded within the ice as well as within the separate Fire Lounge decor.

The ice is in the form of art, including table sculptures, an ice throne, an ice jetski and changing sculptures each season, a walk-up bar, and bench seating.  When I went there was a visiting ice sculpture artist who was enroute to a world competition in Slovakia (now wouldn’t that  be an interesting event). The maximum time permitted is 45 minutes which hasn’t been a problem. No one has asked for an extension, though a surprising number of people stay for the whole allotted time, especially I’m told, guests from the Midwest.

The best thing is to get fired up with some of the warm specialty cocktails in their aptly named Fire Lounge which features a resident mixologist who specializes in flaming drinks.  There’s the “Winter’s Kiss” that’s caramel vodka with hot chocolate, chocolate caviar and homemade whipped cream; “Hot Buttered Rum”;

and the “Fire & Spice”, cinnamon whiskey with apple cider and salted caramel (a favorite).One of the coolest things are the ice cubes shaped like the Titanic and the companion cube, a blue glacier.

Then, you don one of the fake furs which come in white, hot pink, black, and other fun shades, along with Ugg like boots and mittens and a cap, and off you go to the 1100 square foot ice lounge. Go up to the vodka bar, get your ice glass, and choose from among 40 different permanently chilled vodkas, from spiced pumpkin flavored  and ancho chili to coconut, hemp flavor, and an organic variety from Hawaii.

It’s all about something different and fun, especially good to go with a group of friends or a family with children (note that the very plain outside facade is no indication of what’s inside). They have private parties, too, with custom made ice glasses.

No food is served, so go before or after dinner. If you choose to exclusively go to the Fire Lounge, there’s no admission charge, just the price of drinks. Going to the ice lounge? There are two plans. Buy admission to the ice bar for $17 and pay for drinks separately (prices are standard) or $34 which includes admission and two drinks of your choice. Kids are welcome too, before 7:30 p.m.
Price of the Ice Bar Miami is $14 per child for entry which includes use of fur coat, socks, gloves etc. plus one juice/soda.

Hours:
Monday-Thursday: 6PM – 2AM
Friday: 6PM – 4AM
Saturday: 5PM – 4AM
Sunday: 5PM – 2AM