Licking the wall at Minus 5
I checked out Minus 5 Ice Lounge, the new everything-is-frozen vodka bar at Mandalay Place. It is located right near the House of Blues end of Mandalay Bay. Admission includes a drink ticket and the loan of a parka, hat and gloves. Inside, everything -- the bar, the seats, the walls -- is made of ice. The temperature is kept at 27 degrees Fahrenheit with zero moisture so you don't stick to anything. In addition to the bar, Minus 5 seems to have an ample side business in selling tourists photos of themselves, heavily covered, standing next to slightly dressed hostesses. You cannot bring your own camera inside (or cellphone), because allegedly the cold could destroy the electronics. I suspect it also helps with the monopoly on the photos, which were taken by an employee, whom I asked what was so special about her camera: "It's a Nikon," she said. So, there you go. Buffet photographer Sarah Gerke uses Canon; rather than argue the point, I asked Gerke simply to shoot the entrance.
Anyway, as you can imagine, the expense to keep a room that frozen in the middle of the desert of Las Vegas means this is not one of the larger bars in Vegas. But, for comfort and safety, guests are allowed only a 30-minute visit. So, it was not that crowded while I was there, and it was easy to explore without a wait to get inside. Also, you are allowed no more than three drinks. I think I would classify Minus 5 as much as an attraction as a bar. You go to Minus 5 for the experience and not to watch football on a television (of which there is no ice version in the bar).
OK, so here is the part where I do something that is really stupid. Not drinking seems to have been key to the problem. The hostess felt I needed to lick something-- since I was not having a drink --to test the zero humidity, making sure my tongue wouldn't stick. There were ice-sculpture decorations, and I was urged to lick an Elvis. Then, for some reason, I let the Minus 5 employee persuade me to lick the wall. It was a quick lick; that is the best I can say for myself. And my idiocy was rewarded with her telling me: "Carrot Top licked the wall at the same spot. I have photos of him. Do you want to see them?"
No, I did not want to see them. I needed to be at home just then with mouthwash and toothbrush. But at 27 degrees Fahrenheit any Carrot Top germs would be dead, right?
Photo credit: Sarah Gerke
It seems that the Carrot Top joke is a standard there; they told VegasRex the exact same thing. You didn’t mention the cover charge, $30.00 I believe which seems a bit steep. I can understand not showing football (well maybe the Packers) but you would think ice hockey would be a good fit.
As for not allowing cameras that has to be a nice little side earner, I live in the far North of Canada and regularly take my Cannon out when it’s 40 below, the only thing extreme cold has ever done to it is drain the battery really quickly.
But it definitely sounds like one of those must go just to say you’ve been places.
Posted by: Jim W | November 13, 2008 at 01:55 PM
Actually, it is worse than that. I was the guy with Vegas Rex that he mentions in his account of Minus 5. I am the one who licks the wall while he cuddled with the hostesses. I was following him for a story that came out today in Las Vegas Weekly. Thanks for reading. Yrs., Richard
Posted by: Richard Abowitz | November 13, 2008 at 02:07 PM
I would think you probably won't find too many locals hanging out there. Mostly because we're side slithering desert creatures used to 102 degree in the shade weather in the summer. A local goes in there, they'll catch pneumonia...or turn into a popsicle or something... Sheesh.....
And no way am I licking any walls..... Easier to just ask for ice with my drink...
Posted by: ColinFromLasVegas | November 13, 2008 at 02:26 PM
lolol. What will they think of next. The mental image of Richard licking the wall is just too much...lolol. The hostess that talked you into that must of been an excellent hired gun.
Posted by: Debbie | November 13, 2008 at 07:01 PM
It would've completed the experience if, after you licked the wall, the employees looked paniced and made sign of the cross before telling you Carrot Top had licked that spot.
I don't see the point of this over-priced (even for Vegas) experience when Ice Bars are popular in many major cities now (usually sponsored by a vodka brand of some sort).
The camera scam sounds like the Grand Canyon Skywalk (which I hope goes bankrupt).
Posted by: Bobak | November 14, 2008 at 11:17 AM
As a longtime Vegas local, I am all about new and fresh ideas, and Minus 5 takes the ice bar at Red Square to a new level. However, I am also a passionate environmentalist, and Minus 5 sure is increasing the city's carbon footprint...We are pretty wasteful with resources here in Vegas.
Posted by: Judy Jenner | November 14, 2008 at 12:03 PM
The cold doesn't cause problems with the camera, but going from the cold back into the warm could. Moisture from the cold gets into the device and causes condensation when it warms up. Making the camera wet from the inside out, it's commonly called "sweating." Maybe too maybe people claimed that Minus 5 ruined their camera.
Posted by: mjc | November 14, 2008 at 03:44 PM
THAT is a funny write up.
Yes, Living in Canada we lick weird things all thetime in the winter.
Send Carrot Top! Somebody might lick him in a dare.....
Posted by: H.Peter | November 15, 2008 at 08:06 AM