Ice bars return to Milwaukee's Third Ward
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A Milwaukee winter favorite is returning to the Third Ward on Friday, January 17.
Ice bars are opening at Cafe Benelux and The Wicked Hop.
On Friday morning, ice sculpters from Art Below Zero were putting together the installations. The sculpture at Cafe Benelux is made up of two tons of ice and features an ice throne.
At The Wicked Hop, five tons of ice are being used to create the sculpture including a bar made completely out of ice.
Check it out! The ice bars at @CafeBenelux and @thewickedhop are being installed right now. They open tonight. See the process at noon on @CBS58pic.twitter.com/EkgNH1uXuJ
— Emily Thornton (@EmilyThorntonTV) January 17, 2020
This marks the fourth year Art Below Zero has worked in the Third Ward and they hope to continue for years to come.
“There’s some traditions with ice because there isn’t anything that can make you feel as wondrous as an ice sculpture," Art Below Zero vice president Jeanne Zuleta said. "There’s other types of mediums, but ice, it really stands alone in the whimsical realm of things."
Here’s a look at the @thewickedhop’s bar made completely out of ice! pic.twitter.com/rQumgrfffr
— Emily Thornton (@EmilyThorntonTV) January 17, 2020
Weather permitting the ice sculptures should last at least three weeks. A portion of sales from The Wicked Hop's ice bar will be donated to the ALS Association and Courage MKE. Portions of Cafe Benelux's proceeds will be donated to Milwaukee Area Domestic Animal Control Commission.
Both ice bars plan to open at 4 p.m.