Inside the new Minus5 Igloo
From the outside, the new Minus5 Igloo in Power Plant Live is nothing special: A big blue box with a couple tiny windows on the side.
But setting foot inside Baltimore's new ice bar is like walking into another world. It's shocking. And cold. Definitely cold. If I've got my math right (which isn't guaranteed), Minus5 is about 23 degrees Fahrenheit, constantly.
As soon as you walk in, you see a thick wall of fog. Step past it and everything is drenched in a blue light. The walls, bar, glasses -- everything except the ceiling and floor -- are made of ice. There's even an Orioles and Ravens logo, and a life-sized statue of Ray Lewis. ...
I hung out there for a couple hours last Saturday, talking to people about the experience. I'm writing a story for our new Sunrise section, which comes out on Mondays. Everyone's reaction seemed to be the same bad pun:
"It's really cool."
Har har har.
Here's the deal -- you pay $18, which gets you a jacket, gloves (boots if you need them) and one drink inside. There are about a half dozen specialty drinks, all using liquor such as vodka and juice, because water/tonic/soda would freeze almost immediately. I had to duck outside every few minutes because the ink in my pen kept freezing.
Erik Maza is a features reporter at the Baltimore Sun. He writes for several sections of the Sun paper and contributes weekly columns on music and nightlife. He also writes and edits the Midnight Sun blog. He often covers entertainment, business, and the business of entertainment. Occasionally, he writes about Four Loko, The Block, the liquor board, and those who practice "
Comments
You need one of those space pens, Sam.
I'm sure The Sun will spring for that..........
Posted by: bryanintowson | June 22, 2010 11:35 AM
actually, $18 gets you 2 drinks inside. 2 very fruity, sweet drinks.
Posted by: dave | June 22, 2010 11:45 AM
Dave, on paper, it's supposed to be $18 for one drink and entry. But they were giving away two drinks and entry for $18 to the first few people, to help get things rolling, on Saturday night.
Posted by: Sam Sessa | June 22, 2010 11:51 AM
Just what you want in the summer...... a bar where all the girls put thick winter coats on over their short shorts and mini skirts.
This has got to be the dumbest, most gimmicky idea since Planet Hollywood.
Posted by: Kevlar | June 22, 2010 12:11 PM
$18 for one drink and entry. How much for a second drink? If you can only have 2 drinks, how are they going to make it. I am guessing $30 per person is a decent check average, but how many people can get in to the place. Good luck.
Posted by: anon;) | June 22, 2010 12:20 PM
I'm going to recommend using a pencil.
Posted by: JTK | June 22, 2010 1:09 PM
Pencil? Space pen? What are these things?
Posted by: Sam Sessa | June 22, 2010 1:10 PM
Of course, Sam is just following Sunpapers policy and pricking his finger and writing in his own blood.
Saves money. Good thing they don't allow big words!
Posted by: bryanintowson | June 22, 2010 1:48 PM
1- Girls wont want to put bulky coats on over their "cute" outfits. And if they're wearing shorts or skirts and sandals, they will be uncomfortably cold.
2- After your one drink, you will probably want to leave and find another place to spend the rest of the evening since it is too cold to hang there for several hours.
3- How much is that 2nd drink?
4- obviously no beer... hmmm....
I think this place will not be able to sustain a crowd. It'll be more a stop over on the way to the regular hang out.
People will probably be there less than one hour before leaving.
Posted by: CalicoGal | June 22, 2010 2:02 PM
I'm curious about what the bartenders/staff are wearing and how long their shifts are. That's gotta be an unpleasant gig!
Posted by: Dave the wave | June 22, 2010 4:49 PM
its funny that people are railing against an obvious gimmick/tourist trap. "This will never last!!!!"....your right, thats why its housed in a temporary structure.
I doubt their business model expected people to hang out all night and get roudy.
$30....hang out for a few minutes....move on.
The people of Baltimore dont like anything thats new.
Posted by: But For Serious.... | June 23, 2010 11:14 AM
That is without a doubt the most retarded thing I have ever heard of. I'd say it was a joke and just a Saturday night live sketch but I know it's not. It kills me that someone has this much cash to burn to do something like this.
Posted by: Johnnycat | August 4, 2010 5:46 PM
At least there's no TVs in there, JC
Posted by: TheBeav | August 5, 2010 1:25 PM