By Matt Mueller Culture Editor Published Jan 19, 2023 at 2:56 PM Photography: The Corners of Brookfield Facebook

The holidays may be over, but the Wisconsin winter has barely begun. Sure, that means the return of back-breaking shoveling, frosty forecasts and four-wheel-drive-testing travels – but on the positive side, it also means the return of ice bars, chilling out for a third year in a row at The Corners of Brookfield.

Planned once again for the market square space in front of BelAir Cantina, the ice bar will pop-up starting tonight, Thursday, Jan. 19.

The frosty fun was originally expected to begin on Thursday, Jan. 12, but unfortunately – due to the surprisingly temperate forecasts – the opening was postponed until now. Things are now chilly enough to chill out, with the ice bar remaining open at The Corners until Mother Nature decides it's last call for the frozen hotspot.

The main frozen feature will be a 20-foot, 10,000-pound ice bar serving up specialty cocktails – including boozy hot chocolate, several flavorful variations of margaritas and shots chilled via a ride down an ice luge. Non-alcoholic options include regular hot chocolate as well as churros for snacking.

The main ice bar will be surrounded by similarly hand-carved chilled creations for photo ops, as well as heated outdoor seating in case alcohol alone isn't enough to keep away the cold. 

“After a wonderful holiday season at The Corners, we are excited to bring the community back together to embrace Wisconsin’s winter and have some frozen fun,” said Chelsea Roessler, director of marketing and events at The Corners of Brookfield, in a release.

“We are thrilled to be bringing back this event for the third consecutive year,” said Matt Roman Lopez, director of operations at BelAir Cantina, in the release. “There’s no better way to kick the winter doldrums than to ‘chill’ with friends while enjoying delicious cocktails.”

The ice bar at The Corners of Brookfield will be open on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 4-9 p.m.; Saturdays from noon until 9 p.m.; and Sundays from noon until 6 p.m. For more information on the ice bar – including info on how to reserve a 90-minute VIP experience complete with a private heated booth, a complimentary drink package and cozy blanket – visit BelAir Cantina's website

And stay tuned to OnMilwaukee for more winter fun to come!

Matt Mueller Culture Editor

As much as it is a gigantic cliché to say that one has always had a passion for film, Matt Mueller has always had a passion for film. Whether it was bringing in the latest movie reviews for his first grade show-and-tell or writing film reviews for the St. Norbert College Times as a high school student, Matt is way too obsessed with movies for his own good.

When he's not writing about the latest blockbuster or talking much too glowingly about "Piranha 3D," Matt can probably be found watching literally any sport (minus cricket) or working at - get this - a local movie theater. Or watching a movie. Yeah, he's probably watching a movie.