The idea of how good it would feel to be transported into an igloo built on an ice shelf or some similarly exhilarating subarctic surrounding is a notion not uncommon to people suffering sweltering summertime temperatures. Until the 21st century, few people had the means to escape, without a major commitment of time and expense, to an environment where frigid air provided relief from seasonal heat. Minus5 Ice Experience’s three Las Vegas destinations offer just that.
The newest location at The Linq Promenade, Icebar, joins older siblings at The Venetian and The Shoppes at Mandalay Place. Five degrees below zero Celsius, equivalent to 23 degrees Fahrenheit, is the optimal temperature for storing and serving vodka; it’s also adequate for sustaining furniture carved from ice, or any other sculpture carved from frozen H2O.
That includes highball glasses supplied by the bartenders at Minus5, who pour drinks made from a variety of distilled liquors in case an Old-Fashioned is more up a customer’s alley than an Icy Mudslide or Polar Breeze built on a foundation of flavored Skyy. Freshly cleaned parkas and faux-fur coats are supplied upon entry, and banquettes have a layer of faux-fur insulation as well. If the urge to smash an ice glass after finishing its contents becomes overwhelming, accommodations can be provided.
The room at The Linq Promenade is more conducive to standing while socializing and slowly rotating to take in the art and décor. The location at The Venetian contains a magical forest, while Palm Springs inspires the theme at Minus5 inside The Shoppes at Mandalay Place. A companion speakeasy, 1923 Prohibition Bar, enables a “fire and ice” experience involving vodka and bourbon to be added to options at Mandalay Place, where live music and burlesque are part of the scene Friday and Saturday nights.
It doesn’t have to be sweltering out to enjoy the Minus5 Ice Experience, but it’s sure nice to know it’s there during Vegas’ six-month summers.
The Venetian, 702.293.3388; The Shoppes at Mandalay Place, 702.740.5800; The Linq Promenade; 702.586.8925
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