Cold ones easy to get at ice bar
DRUMS, Pa. — At one eastern Pennsylvania restaurant, getting a cold one is no problem since everything is on ice — and under it, and surrounded by it.
Damenti's Restaurant in Luzerne County has set up a temporary freestanding bar in its backyard that is almost completely made of 50 tons of ice — including walls, roof, serving bar, benches and decorations.
The pirate-themed bar is one of the few ice bars in the country, and owner and chef Kevin McDonald says he knows of no other freestanding one. He's hoping the novelty will bring in the crowds.
"Who's had the coldest drink in town in a house of ice?" McDonald said.
To keep the ice from melting, air conditioning brought the mercury down to about 20 degrees Saturday inside the bar. McDonald says he thinks the average customer might spend 20 or 30 minutes inside before leaving to warm up.
Over the past week and a half, McDonald, his employees and friends shaped, molded, carved and smoothed the 480-square-foot structure, which can accommodate about 40 people. Guest bartenders are being sought to volunteer a shift serving grog — which is poured through bone-shaped ice luges — as well as beer, coffee, cider and other drinks.
The decor includes a skull and crossbones that covers an entire wall, computer-etched signs and pirate motifs and sayings etched into the inside and outside walls. An ice cannon was fired — and shattered — on Friday and another may be built. A functional ice xylophone is in the works.
There's no cover, but customers are encouraged to leave a $5 donation that, along with a portion of drink sales, will go directly to the "Survivors of Hope" American Cancer Society Relay for Life team in Hazleton.
McDonald said he hopes to keep the building up through Valentine's Day — and he's not sure what he'll do when all those tons of ice begin to melt.
More in Pennsylvania News
