Las Vegas is known for its glitz, glamour, and over-the-top experiences. But when the desert heat is just too much to handle, what better way to cool off than by sipping on a drink in an ice bar?
That’s where Minus-5 (degrees) Ice Bars come in. With three locations in Las Vegas, all bundled up on the Strip, Minus5 offers visitors the opportunity to step into a winter wonderland and enjoy a chilly beverage in a one-of-a-kind setting; when they say everything is made of completely frozen ice, that includes the chairs and drinking glasses.
In this complete guide, we’ll take a closer look at Minus5 Ice Bars, exploring what makes them so unique, and what to expect when you visit. Read on to get some insider tips to make the most of your frozen adventure.
The Backstory & History of Minus5 Ice Bars in Vegas
When it comes to unique experiences in Las Vegas, few can match the wonder and excitement of stepping into an ice bar. And for those looking to cool off in the desert heat, there’s no better destination than Minus5 Ice Bars.
Minus5 Ice Bars are venues made of tons of ice, all kept frozen and cool at -5 degrees Celsius (23 degrees Fahrenheit) using temperature control systems. Hence the name ‘Minus5º’. The Las Vegas locations are among the best-known ice bar experiences in the United States.
But where did this icy oasis come from? And how did it become such a popular attraction in Sin City?
The origins of Ice Bars can be traced back to the late 1980s in Sweden. For Minus5, its roots started in 2001 in Auckland, New Zealand, where founder Craig Ling was inspired by the country’s breathtaking glaciers and frozen landscapes.
Craig Ling was fascinated by the idea of creating a bar made entirely of ice, a concept that had never been done before.
In 2001, Ling opened the first Minus5 Ice Bar in Queenstown, New Zealand. The response was overwhelmingly positive, and Ling soon expanded the concept to other locations throughout the country including the first Minus5 Ice Lounge in Auckland, New Zealand in 2002.
Ling then opened another one in Australia in 2005 but it wasn’t until 2008 that Minus5 made its way to Las Vegas.
With its booming tourism industry and constant demand for new and exciting attractions, Sin City proved to be the perfect destination for an ice bar.
The first Minus5 Ice Bar in Las Vegas opened at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, offering visitors a unique and unforgettable experience. The bar’s interior was crafted entirely from 90 tons of ice, with walls, seats, and even glasses made from the frozen substance.
Guests were given heavy coats and gloves to wear, as temperatures inside the bar were kept at a chilly -5 degrees Celsius (23 degrees Fahrenheit). But the cold didn’t deter visitors, who were thrilled by the novelty of sipping a drink in a frozen wonderland.
In the years since, Minus5 Ice Bars have become a staple of the Las Vegas experience. A second location later opened at the Monte Carlo Resort and Casino, and the Las Vegas lineup has since shifted to the current three Strip locations at Mandalay Bay, The Venetian, and The LINQ Promenade.
Today, Minus5 offers a range of packages and experiences for visitors, including private events, VIP packages, and even wedding ceremonies. And while the concept of an ice bar may have seemed outlandish at first, it’s clear that Minus5 has found a special place in the hearts of Vegas tourists and locals alike.
What to Expect When Visiting a Minus5 Ice Bar
If you’ve never been to an Ice Bar before, it’ll be an experience like no other! Here’s what to expect when you visit.
1. It Is Not As Cold As You Would Think
Despite the -5 degrees Celsius temperatures, Minus5 Ice bars are not as cold-shivering chilly as you might think. The temperature-controlled venues ensure the degrees are low enough to keep everything frozen and icy but also warm enough to keep you from shivering.
Warm parka clothing is the order of the day and wearing gloves will ensure your hands stay warm to prevent accidents from shivering. To continue keeping you warm, the bars also offer faux fur coats for extra heat.
You do not have to come prepared with heavy clothing but if you tend to get cold easily and require more clothing at such temperatures, then wearing something heavier beforehand would be best.
2. Lots of Interactive Ice Sculptures
There is no shortage of ice sculptures around the bar. Each one has its own unique story and many of the items are constantly getting changed to give the ice bar a new look and cooler stories.
What’s even better is that some of the ice sculptures are interactive. You can sit on icy thrones, put your head on silhouettes or play games on the ice. Take multiple selfies with the penguins and other animal sculptures while talking about the glass art pieces from Local Las Vegas artists.
3. Drinks at The Minus5 Ice Bar
Inside, you’ll find a range of cocktails and mocktails. The bar specializes in creating Vodka-based drinks, since it has one of the lowest freezing points. You’ll usually find a flavored vodka paired with fruit juice.
Drink prices at the Ice Bar vary by location, package, and current menu. Many visitors buy an upgraded ticket that includes cocktails, while basic entry packages let you purchase drinks separately inside.
Even though it’s a bar, Minus5 is a family-friendly experience earlier in the day. Kids ages 7–12 are welcome before 9 pm when accompanied by an adult. After 9 pm, the Minus5 Ice Bar is adults only, serving classic vodka, tequila, bourbon, and rum cocktails.
Try the signature Minus5 Old Fashion Bourbon cocktail made with a blend of bourbon whiskey and orange bitters plus cherry, and sweetened barrel.
4. There’s A DJ And Other Entertainment
Like any other Las Vegas bar, you wouldn’t really be having a good time without a good roster of DJs, music, and upbeat tunes to set the right tone.
The indoor bar is a temperature-controlled heaven, serving drinks that get colder the longer you hold onto them.
LED lighting displays make for a great ambiance at night. Marvel at how the lights strike through the ice-filled bar, creating a colorful atmosphere fit for a good night’s fun.
Minus5 Ice bars also invite the occasional performers and host a couple of events including the vodka tasting sessions.
5. You’ll Find Something New Every Time You Visit
Just because you’ve been to the Ice Bar in Vegas once, that doesn’t mean you’ve seen it all. To keep things fresh, the bar is constantly adding new sculptures and interactive features.
At least once a year, the whole bar is melted down completely and rebuilt again.
So, the next time you’re in Sin City and looking to beat the heat, be sure to stop by Minus5 Ice Bars and experience the magic for yourself. Below are the three locations and what they offer:
Which Minus5 is Better in Vegas?
There are three Ice Bars scattered around Vegas, all located on the Las Vegas Strip. They all provide a fairly similar experience but to help you decide which one is better for you, here’s everything you need to know.
1. Mandalay Bay, South Strip
- Address: Inside the Shoppes at Mandalay Place, 3545 S Las Vegas Boulevard, Unit L23, Las Vegas, NV 89109
- Phone: 702 632 7714
- Hour: Mon – Thu 11 AM – 12 AM, Fri & Sat 11 AM – 1:30 AM, Sun 11 AM – 12 AM
- Age: Kids ages 7–12 are welcome before 9 pm; minors must be accompanied by adults
The Minus5 Ice Bar at Mandalay Bay was the first ever ice bar to open in Vegas. Since it opened back in 2008, it’s been expanded for a bigger and better experience.
Choose your ticket from a range of the Minus5 standard packages, similar across all Minus5 Ice Bars and proceed to enter the ice experience. A ticket to one of the Minus5 Ice Bars usually gets you entry and use of a parka and gloves. You can upgrade to packages that include cocktails, souvenir gifts, faux-fur coats, and photos.
Package names and prices can change by location and booking channel, so check the official ticket page before you go. The current package structure generally includes:
- Basic entry – entry to the ice experience with use of a parka and gloves.
- Cocktail packages – entry with cold-weather gear plus included cocktails.
- VIP-style packages – entry, faux-fur coat upgrade, drinks, souvenir items, and photos.
- Kids packages – entry with warm gear and a non-alcoholic mocktail or souvenir option, depending on the package.
- Adults-only combo packages – at Mandalay Bay, some packages may bundle Minus5 with nearby bar experiences such as 1923 Prohibition Bar.
A unique aspect of Minus5 Ice Bar at Mandalay Bay is the Fire & Ice experience package that gives you access to the speakeasy next door, 1923 Prohibition Bar. You can also use the ticket to get some daiquiris from the Daiquiri Bar when you exit the premises.
If you’re traveling in a group of more than 12 people, contact the venue for a special price. They’ll make the occasion even cooler – which is perfect for hen or bachelor parties. Corporate events can even have their own logos made from the ice.
2. The Venetian, Central Strip
- Address: Inside the Grand Canal Shoppes, 3377 S Las Vegas Boulevard, Ste 2140, Las Vegas, NV 89109
- Phone: 702 293 3388
- Hour: Hours vary by day; check the official ticket page before visiting
- Age: Kids ages 7–12 are welcome before 9 pm; minors must be accompanied by adults
Nestled in the Venetian Resort is the second Ice Bar in Vegas. You’ll find the Minus5 Venetian Ice Bar in The Grand Canal Shoppes on the 2nd Level of the hotel across from Sketchers.
It is a cool Minus5 Ice Bar to visit in Vegas if you’re staying in the hotel, or you want to hit the most extensive selection of slots and video poker machines in the city at the casino later.
The Venetian also has a food court and lots of restaurants to eat at after your visit.
Like the Mandalay Bay location, the one at Venetian also offers gloves, warm parkas, or faux-fur coats depending on your package. They also feature electrifying LED light shows that dance along to the lively music.
Packages are similar to the other Minus5 locations, with basic entry, cocktail-inclusive options, and upgraded photo or faux-fur packages available through the official ticket page.
3. The LINQ Promenade, Central Strip
- Address: Between Brooklyn Bowl and In-N-Out Burger, 3545 S Las Vegas Boulevard, Unit L23, Las Vegas, NV 89109
- Phone: 702 586 8925
- Hour: Hours vary by day; check the official ticket page before visiting
- Age: Kids ages 7–12 are welcome before 9 pm; minors must be accompanied by adults
The third Ice Bar in Vegas is on LINQ Promenade, located between Brooklyn Bowl and In-N-Out Burger. It is not the oldest but it has the heaviest ice at about 100 tons of custom carved frozen ice.
The LINQ Promenade Minus5 Ice Bar sets itself apart with a more exciting cocktail menu and a separate mocktail menu for the kids 15 and under.
It’s a family-fun-filled venue earlier in the day, with mocktail options available for kids before the evening adults-only cutoff. For adults, the cocktail menu focuses on colorful frozen-bar drinks served in ice glasses.
Since LINQ Promenade is one of the most entertaining spots in Vegas, it’s a great bar to also visit if you’re planning on spending a night drinking, gaming, eating or checking out the major rides and concerts afterwards.
Vegas Minus5 Ice Bar Map:
Tips to Remember When Visiting A Minus5 Ice Bar In Vegas
There are lots of myths around visiting the Ice Bar, like that you can’t bring your phone, or you have to wrap up warm. Here are our top tips to help you make the most of your visit.
1. Drink Quickly!
One of the coolest things about the Ice Bar is that your drinking glass will be made of ice. It’s the only place in Vegas where your drink will get colder the longer you hold it.
The glass is specially made to withstand you holding it, so it won’t melt immediately. However, you’re advised to drink quickly to prevent things from getting messy. Plus, the quicker you drink, the quicker you’ll warm up!
2. Book In Advance
Everyone is welcome at the Ice Bar in Vegas – even kids (although they have to be over 4 and accompanied by an adult). To avoid a hefty wait at the door, it’s best to book in advance.
If you’re looking for a bargain, consider subscribing to their email list to hear about promotions and discounts.
3. Take Your Phone Or Camera With You
It used to be a rule that you couldn’t take your phone into the Ice Bar. But that changed and you can now take as many pics as you like on your phone or camera.
If you prefer to leave your phone outside, you can still capture the experience. For a small charge, ask the photographers floating around to snap some great shots of you and your friends.
4. You Can Stay For Longer in The Ice
Most guests stay for about 30–45 minutes, enough time to enjoy the sculptures, take photos, and finish a drink before the chill starts to set in.
However, do not let the cold cut your time short too quickly. If you get too cold, step back out to warm up in the lounge area before continuing your night on the Strip.
Keep the party going with a few drinks, or just warm up by the open fire to get your temperature up to a comfy level.
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Conclusion
Minus5 Ice Bars are a family-friendly experience that offers something unique for everyone. If you’re looking for a once-in-a-lifetime experience in Las Vegas, visiting a Minus5 Ice Bar is an excellent choice.
Expect to see lots of interactive ice sculptures, enjoy drinks in frozen glasses, and wear warm parka clothing to stay comfortable in the chilly temperatures. Also, although the bars are kept at -5 degrees Celsius, they are not as cold as you might think, and wearing gloves or faux fur coats can provide extra warmth.