After writing the past few posts on New Zealand, I’m actually starting to get nostalgic about the place that I think I should use this focus to keep writing about it! I really can’t emphasise how beautiful Queenstown is, but for this post, I will move towards other awesome things you could enjoy other than it’s iconic lake, mountains and overall landscape.
I will be touching on of the most talked about spots for tourists in Queenstown, “Minus 5 Ice Bar”. As the name suggests, this place is a bar, and it really is minus 5 degrees centigrade. I’ve heard of what is quite a new trend with ice bars and ice hotels, but have never seen or been to one myself. Now that I was in Queenstown, we really had to go check out this amazing ice bar.
Basically, you have a chat with reception - who are really cool people as with all Kiwis - and discuss the different plans they have for you. The prices are quite simple and straight forward. We paid for a ticket for an adult plus one cocktail. Although it is bar, it is also seen as an attraction. Children, babies and toddlers are all welcome to experience the bar, as it holds many cool things such as ice-carvings and sculptures, as well as the other cool things made from ice. Not to mention the experience of drinking from a glass made out of ice, this place is really a must do if you’re ever in town.
Going back to the prices, there is the basic fare. A ticket for a child will cost you $15, in which also includes a mocktail. Do not be alarmed! The bar does practice responsible service of alcohol, hence the mocktail. They are essentially a mixed drink with no alcohol, so ingredients such as juices, syrups, cordials, fruits and other creatives are used. Adults will pay slightly higher, at $25 for entrance and a mocktail. If you’re up for an alcoholic beverage, you could go for the entry plus cocktail package for $5 more at $30. What if you want two cocktails rather than just one? Not a problem. An entry and two cocktails would be $36. There is also a family package which includes two mocktails and two cocktails, a definite win win situation.
It is an Ice Bar and the name is Minus 5 but you don’t have to pack your thick winter clothes just for the visit. Also at reception, the friendly staff will help organize a coat, a pair of gloves and/or other items to keep you warm throughout your experience. The temperature, as mentioned to us by the staff member, is often in the range of minus five to minus ten degrees.
My friends and I had a really good time at the ice bar. Various types of mocktails and cocktails are available with the full menu and description of the drinks at the bar. The bartender who assisted us with awesome information and our delicious cocktails was also lovely. This place simply is more than just a place to have a drink. The ice sculptures were impressive and there were many things we could play around with. I clearly remember that we all took turn to sit on a huge ice-carved armchair, of course with a little piece of carpet on the seat to help the cause. They also keep the lights in the bar quite dark, which was great as they played around with the different colours of lighting. It kind of felt like we were watching the sky somewhere north close to the Arctic - not that I’ve been there either!
Queenstown’s Minus 5 Ice Bar is nothing short of a cool place - pun intended. You can find them at Steamer Wharf, on the ground floor (88 Beach Street). Just to add a little bit more to the place, there are quite a few other options for food and drinks within this complex. Minus 5 Ice Bar has what is a sister-bar just right across. This would be the place for you to use the toilet facilities, but other than that, it’s another cool place to hangout. This other bar, The Boiler Room, is a full-on bar so I’m not too sure how that would work with minors. For more information on what’s happening at Minus 5, as well as important details on its operating hours, be sure to check them out at the link below. I will also add a link for The Boiler Room, if you’re up for drinks after your cool experience at Minus 5 Ice Bar - I think that’s a really good plan, cheers!
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Minus 5 - http://www.minus5icebar.com/
The Boiler Room - http://theboilerroom.co.nz/
