Sydney Ice Bar Minus 5

It was a nice once-off thing, although I don’t see it as something I’d do often, even if I was willing to spend or had the money to. The scultptures are beautiful and it’s a fun 30 minutes of hanging out in an usual, almost fairy-tale like, icy, flourescent-pink-lit fridge! Very worth it.

Is is the coolest place!... literaly.

was definatly worth it

Minus5 has to be Sydney’s coolest bar – literally. If the name doesn’t spell it out for you, the below-freezing-point temperature certainly will.
Swathed in frosty mist and blue lighting, this surreal icescape beckons, with an ice-slab bar, frosty walls and elaborate frozen sculptures at every turn. Even the drinking glasses are made of pure ice.

Yes, it’s an eskimo’s dream drinking spot brought to life. Everything is hand-sculpted, and the only liquid that’s not frozen solid is poured straight into the vodka cocktails. Fashionistas: beware. Designer attire and chic stilettos are wasted here. You’ll need to swap anything with open toes or heels for expedition-like boots. Guests must also don an official furry hooded jacket and thick gloves before the exploration begins.

Minus 5 is built entirely of ice; the bar, walls, chairs, and even the glasses are ice. The bar offers a plethora of vodka-based cocktails, with the first one included in the $30 entry fee. Due to the Arctic temperatures, tours last 30 minutes and there is an Eskimo-themed dress code with guests required to wear overcoats, gloves and hats – all supplied. When you are sufficiently chilled, and depending on how much you’ve had to drink, you can move on to either Lenin (a vodka bar serving more than 70 types of vodka) or Fino (a wine bar and dining room offering a sumptuous menu of contemporary European cuisine).
Shelley Hepworth, December 2005