During the fall and winter of 2020, when outdoor dining was in peak demand, many restaurants and bars added “igloo experiences” on their patios to keep guests warm even in the coldest temps. Today, these heated domes remain popular because, well, hanging out in your own private snow globe is fun! These spots all offer igloos during the colder months, plus stellar whisky selections, meaning you can continue your patio drinking long after the height of summer.
Rowdy Tiger Whiskey Bar & Kitchen—Atlanta
Featuring panoramic views of midtown, this modern Southern rooftop restaurant and bar offers two igloo experiences from November through February: lounge igloos that seat up to six guests and dining igloos that seat up to four. Each igloo comes equipped with cozy furniture, an individual heater, and a Bluetooth speaker, allowing guests to control the music and temperature to their liking while sipping a dram from the venue’s list of more than 130 whiskies. Reservations are required for a 2 1/2-hour slot beginning at either 5 or 8 p.m., and there’s a $250 food and beverage minimum Sunday through Thursday and a $300 minimum Friday and Saturday. For groups, the venue allows the entire rooftop, including igloos, to be booked for parties and events on Sundays and Mondays.
Bridges & Bourbon
Bridges & Bourbon—Pittsburgh
Although this restaurant and cocktail bar retired its dome-style igloos due to wear and tear, this year they debuted new outdoor enclosures called BridgeHouses—a permanent addition to the venue’s patio dining. There are five BridgeHouses available that seat up to four guests; each offers faux sheepskin coverings on the chairs, indoor lighting, a Bluetooth speaker, and a tabletop fire pit. In addition to eclectic small plates, there are around 200 different whiskies to choose from, plus more than 20 cocktail options, such as the popular Waterfall in the Woods ($16), an applewood-smoked drink featuring rye, toasted banana mint syrup, and cranberry bitters. Reservations for a 2 1/2-hour slot are required, and from October through March a $200 spend minimum is also required.
Lookout Rooftop—Boston
Perched atop the Envoy Hotel, this rooftop lounge offers views of the city skyline and Boston Harbor all winter long, with igloos available by reservation beginning November 26th. Each igloo accommodates up to ten people for a maximum of two hours, with the spend minimum dependent on time of day. Light bites are offered, as well as a whisky list that ranges from $16 for a 2-ounce pour of labels like Noble Oak rye and Smooth Ambler Contradiction bourbon up to $65 for Johnnie Walker Blue Label.
King & Rye
King & Rye—Alexandria, Virginia
Located at The Alexandrian Hotel in the heart of Old Town near the waterfront, this spot offers igloo experiences on its patio beginning December 1st, with reservations for them opening November 1st. The four igloos each accommodate up to eight guests and can be reserved for a maximum of 1 1/2 hours. On Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sunday brunches, the rental fee is $50 with a $100 food and beverage minimum, and on Friday and Saturday nights the fee is $100 with a $200 minimum. The menu features scratch-made, seasonal Southern American cuisine alongside a selection of around 60 different bourbons, ryes, and American whiskeys, including a section labeled “Hard to Find,” which includes such bourbons as Old Fitzgerald Bottled in Bond 17 year old ($100 for 1 1/2 ounces), Pappy Van Winkle Family Reserve 15 year old ($100), and Heaven Hill Parker’s Heritage Collection 17 year old barrel proof ($125).
The Next Great Whisky Bar
The Next Whisky Bar—Washington, D.C.
Located at the infamous Watergate Hotel, this bar makes an immediate impression with an undulating wall of 2,500 illuminated whisky bottles at the entrance. The reservation-only igloos are on the patio from October 22nd through early spring and are decorated according to the season or closest holiday, with each featuring stylish lounge-style seating for up to six guests. There’s a rental fee and per-person food and beverage minimums, which are based on the day and time of reservation and size of party. The menu includes elevated pub fare, 120-plus whiskies, and specialty cocktails, including the high-end Watergate Manhattan ($35), which has rested a minimum of 30 days in charred American oak barrels that have been rinsed with amaro.
