This review is for the front staff and not the place itself. The front staff is very rude and putting off. It doesn’t matter how great the place is, if they do not treat their customers well. We were extremely disappointed with the staff’s behavior and chose to walk away. We heard great reviews about the place and wanted to go check it out. We were just returning from the ferry from a nearby island and hence were not very formally dressed. The wait staff were rude and did not care to welcome us or even answer our questions. We weren’t able to get in because we did not have passports on us, which I understand. However, the way the two guys in the reception handled us, we probably wouldn’t have gotten in, even if we had our passports.
Chris R.
Place rating: 3 Auckland, New Zealand
Theoretically the idea of an ice bar is pretty good, cold drinks from ice cups in a bar made of ice. In practice it’s just a bit of a pain in the neck. Firstly you have to dress up in loves, coat and booties so you don’t get too cold. 15 dollar cocktails are pretty nice but the ice luge is the most fun. Dribble your shot down the ice and drink at the bottom adds a little drama to the usual standard method of smashing them back standing at the bar. It’s a novelty but nothing more. They do have a few food items on the menu, but eating somewhere so cold never entered my head.
Ruby W.
Place rating: 3 Auckland, New Zealand
Bad puns aside, tis a pretty cool place. Practically everything(other than the floor) is made out of ice. The benches, the seats, the glasses… even the table hockey thing is ice! Good for some novelty, a bit of fun. You can pour shots down one of the sculptures and drink it when it gets to the bottom… the only way to get wasted. Obviously it is a bit more expensive to get inside the joint, but your entry fee covers the cost of a warm jacket to wear inside(you will need it… despite how much alcohol you intend to drink. No one wants to catch a cold after a night out). When I went it wasn’t very busy which was nice, because it’s not terribly big… it’s well lit, don’t come here expecting a club, this is a bar to sit at and pose with ice sculptures.
Sarah B.
Place rating: 4 Auckland, New Zealand
I think the Ice House is good for tourists or a novelty once in a while. It’s definitely an experience worth trying at least once, to rug up and go and drink inside an ice cave before your night out, or at any time from lunchtime when they first open for those early starters. I liked the ice sculptures, the lighting effects, and the fact that even the glasses were made out of ice. By the end of our 30 minute time slot we’d about had enough though, the novelty and the temperature were both wearing thin!
Alana J.
Place rating: 5 Auckland, New Zealand
I was lucky enough to have a girlfriend once work at Freddy’s Ice House, so it was always very exciting to go in and experience the ‘cool’ environment she called work. It’s such a fantastic bar, suitable for all ages, to come into and have a look at. My 11 year old sister and I went a few months ago and we had a wonderful time! A cocktail for me, a mocktail(non-alcoholic) for her, then at the end you’re able to slide your glass down a barrel shoot and watch it smash against the ice and break into a bucket. It’s rather exciting! There is also the option of ordering food and bringing it into the bar to eat. Freddy’s Ice House will gladly hold birthday parties or private events in their bar. Just make sure you call and arrange prior to ensure there are enough woolly jackets for everyone. Mon, Tue, Wed and Sun — last entry at 11pm Thur — last entry at 12am Fri and Sat — last entry 1am
Belinda S.
Place rating: 4 Auckland, New Zealand
Freddy’s Ice House, formerly known as Minus 5 has come upon new owners, and has not changed the theme or quality of the bar. A must do stop for visitors to the city of sails looking for something slightly askew, or perhaps for the local who wants to be wrapped up in a warm cosy coat whilst sipping on delicious cocktails in a freezing indoor ice bar. I love the themed bar idea, brings festivity to the atmosphere, and I had to stop myself from thinking I had walked into the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe novel somehow. Staff are well trained experts at making the most exotic cocktails you can imagine, as well as mocktails too for the non drinker. Feels like a tourist attraction, maybe it is, but its all fun and games, so worth a visit.