People usually picture Rome as all about sun, ruins, and endless gelato. But just a few minutes from the Colosseum, there’s something way cooler (literally) hiding in plain sight: Ice Club Roma. Imagine stepping off a buzzing cobbled street into a room frosted over at -5°C, surrounded by walls and sculptures carved from crystal-clear ice. Even the glass you’re sipping your cocktail from? Made of ice.
This isn’t the kind of bar you stumble into for a quick espresso. Ice Club Roma is an experience, smack in the historic center, and it’s perfect if you need a break from Rome’s heat or you’re just looking to surprise your group with something wild. It’s open year-round, so you can go there to escape the summer sun or just because you want to do something you won’t find in any regular guidebook.
They hand you a thermal cape and gloves at the door—trust me, you’ll need them. The whole idea is to chill, literally, so don’t even think about showing up in shorts and a tank top. Photos are fair game (your friends won’t believe you otherwise), but your phone might die from the cold if you’re not quick about it. And yes, kids can come along in the early hours, so families on an adventure have an excuse too.
- What Makes Ice Club Roma Special?
- How To Visit and What To Expect
- Tips for Your Ice Experience
- Why It's Worth a Stop in Rome
What Makes Ice Club Roma Special?
You can find quirky bars all over Rome, but nothing compares to the frosty world inside Ice Club Roma. This place nails the ice bar concept: every inch, from the bar counter to the furniture, is built out of pure Scandinavian ice. They bring in 40 tons of it to keep things icy and fresh. If you’re picturing just a chilly room, think again—they go all in on the experience with ice sculptures, colored lighting, and a soundtrack that shifts from lounge to upbeat party vibes on the weekends.
It’s the only ice bar in Italy, and it’s been freezing tourists and locals alike since 2011. The temperature stays locked at -5°C (23°F), no matter if Rome outside is sweltering or rainy. What’s wild is that you never worry about your drink getting warm; your cocktail glass is also carved from ice, and you just chuck it in a special bin when you’re done.
Here’s the thing: a visit isn’t just about cold drinks. The bar designers switch up the look with fresh ice art every season, so you’ll see new sculpted walls or a frozen Roman helmet each time you go. This also means the place feels different through the year—a hit for folks who like regular surprises.
- Location: Via della Madonna dei Monti, right in Monti—the trendy neighborhood loaded with bars and trattorias.
- Size: Holds about 60 people, so it can get lively but won’t ever feel overcrowded.
- Age groups: Fun for everyone, from brave kids (before 10pm) to groups of friends or even couples wanting the most unique date in Rome.
- Entry: Flat fee gets you a cocktail, cape, and gloves. If you want a second round, it costs less, since the cape is already yours.
Ice Club Roma even hosts themed nights and private parties, so you might walk in on a DJ session or a frozen birthday bash. The novelty makes it great for Instagram too—the lighting is totally set up for bold, wild photos, not dark blurry ones.
| Quick Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| Opened | 2011 |
| Temperature | -5°C (23°F) |
| Ice source | Scandinavia |
| Capacity | 60 people |
| Location | Monti, Rome |
People come for the chill, but they stay for the vibe: where else in Rome can you hang out under glimmering lights surrounded by frozen gladiators and sip from glasses you can smash when you’re done? Ice Club Roma keeps things fresh in a city better known for heat and history.
How To Visit and What To Expect
Finding Ice Club Roma is easy—it’s tucked away on Via della Madonna dei Monti, just a few blocks from the Colosseum. It’s open daily from 5:00 PM to 2:00 AM, so you can swing by after a long day exploring, or kick off your night there before moving on to other bars.
Entrance isn’t free, but it covers more than just a look around. As of this year, the adult entrance is €15. That gets you your own ice glass plus a signature drink—either alcoholic or non-alcoholic. Kids under 12 pay around €10, and yes, they get a soft drink in a frosty cup too.
Here’s what the visit looks like:
- Show up with your booking (walk-ins allowed, but booking online means you’re not stuck outside if it’s crowded—it’s a small place).
- Get kitted out with a big thermal cape and gloves—they fit right over your clothes, no changing rooms needed.
- Step inside the ice lounge, which stays at -5°C (23°F) all year.
- Order your drink. Most cocktails have a little Roman twist, and there’s a decent mocktail list for anyone skipping alcohol.
- Snap your photos. Staff don’t mind, as long as you’re careful not to slip on the floor—it gets frosty fast!
You don’t want to linger for hours—the average visit is about 30-40 minutes, since the cold catches up to you. There’s a cozy room outside the ice bar where you can warm up and finish your drink if you’re not ready to head straight back out.
Here’s a quick look at the basics:
| Opening Hours | Entrance Fee | Location | Average Visit Time | Age Policy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5:00 PM - 2:00 AM, Daily | €15 (adults), €10 (kids under 12) | Via della Madonna dei Monti, near Colosseum | 30-40 minutes | All ages welcome before 9 PM |
Don’t worry about language barriers—the staff speak solid English and are used to tourists dropping in from all over. It’s not a fancy crowd—expect travelers, locals, and plenty of people just curious about sipping in subzero temps.
Tips for Your Ice Experience
Visiting Ice Club Roma doesn’t require expert planning, but a few simple tips can turn your night from just cold to seriously cool. Let’s get straight to what matters—comfort, timing, cost, and how to make the most of those subzero vibes.
- Dress for the Cold: Layer up before heading out. Ice Club Roma gives you a thermal poncho and gloves, but your legs aren’t covered. Wear long pants and closed shoes—leave the flip-flops back at your accommodation.
- Pick the Right Time: This place gets busiest after 9 pm and on weekends, especially when tourists are thick in Rome. If you want to avoid the crowds (or grab the best photo spots), hit up the club right as it opens, usually around 5:30 pm. Early evening is usually calmer–and better for families.
- Bring the Right ID: They check ID if you look under 18, and no entry for anyone younger than 8 years old in the evenings. During the day, it’s more flexible for kids, but always carry some form of identification, especially if you’re traveling from outside the EU.
- Know the Price: Entry runs about €15-€17 per person. That covers your first drink and all the icy gear. Keep in mind, cocktails and other drinks run between €7 and €12—cash and cards are both accepted, so you’re covered either way.
- Don’t Linger Too Long: The cold is fun until it’s not. Most folks last about 30-40 minutes before wanting out. Take plenty of photos, check out all the ice sculptures, and then thaw out somewhere warmer with a pizza nearby.
| Tip | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Arrive early | Smaller crowds and better photos |
| Wear long pants | Thermal cape covers torso only |
| Charge your phone | Batteries die fast in the cold |
| Check happy hour | Occasional drink specials pre-7pm |
| Ask about group deals | Sometimes discounts for 6+ people |
Quick heads up: Take it easy with drinks. The alcohol hits harder in the cold, and nobody wants to get tipsy and fumble around an ice cave. Want to impress? Ask a bartender how they shape ice glasses—some have fun stories behind them. Finally, snap your selfies fast, because icy fingers and dying batteries are real problems in here.
Why It's Worth a Stop in Rome
Let’s be straight—there are loads of bars in Rome, but only one where you can sip drinks inside a freezer and snag photos that look straight out of a Nordic adventure. Ice Club Roma is the spot. If you’re the type who’s tried every pasta dish and wandered every piazza, hitting the ice bar gives you a story nobody else at home will have. Seriously, how many people can say they threw back a Negroni while their eyelashes frosted over in the middle of Rome?
This place isn’t just a gimmick for tourists either. Ice Club Roma landed on the scene back in 2011 and has managed to draw both travelers and locals looking for something fresh. The whole place uses about 40 tons of pure ice, shipped in from Northern Europe, and you can see that the sculptures inside aren’t cheesy—they get redone every few months so there’s actually new stuff to check out each time you come by.
Besides just being a cool escape (pun intended), it actually makes sense if you look at the numbers. Summers in Rome regularly hit 35°C (that’s 95°F), and the city’s nightlife is packed with crowds and heat. Ducking into a solid block of chill is a genuine relief. Here's a quick look at why Ice Club Roma stands out compared to your average Roman bar:
| Feature | Regular Rome Bar | Ice Club Roma |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 22-28°C (room temp) | -5°C (frosty!) |
| Drinks | Glass or plastic cups | Ice glasses |
| Ambience | Usual bar vibes | Unique, immersive icy world |
| Photo Ops | Standard interiors | Instagram gold |
It’s also right in the Monti neighborhood, which is actually one of Rome’s hipper areas—you can just roll out the door into a whole lineup of restaurants and clubs. And they allow groups, birthdays, and even bachelor parties, so you’re not just stuck with a date night. Don’t forget, entry includes your first cocktail, so you’re not paying just to stand around. If you care about different, fun experiences (or just need to escape Roman heat and noise), Ice Club Roma is pretty much a no-brainer.
