Organizers announce bar lineup for Rochester's 8th annual SocialICE
The "hottest" cold event of the year is one month away.
SocialICE, which started in 2009 with just one ice bar, has quickly become one of Rochester's signature winter events. Despite the frigid temperatures, more than 46,000 people attended the three-day event last year, according to the Rochester Downtown Alliance.
On Monday, the RDA announced the names of the seven local bars and restaurants that will be competing in this year's event: Chester's Kitchen & Bar, The Loop Bar & Restaurant, Victoria's Restaurant, Grand Rounds Brewpub, Salute Wine Bar, Kathy's Pub (the defending champion) and The Tap House.
Because there were more entries than spots, pubs were selected through a blind jury process. Each will have its own custom ice bar and hand-crafted drinks.
For entertainment, there will live DJs and an ice sculpture garden featuring displays from a number of local businesses and organizations. If that's not enough, the RDA is promising life-size sculptures of the Hulk and Willy Wonka.
Like last year's event, organizers are encouraging attendees to take photos and share them on Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #SocialICE. Select winners will receive gift cards to participating businesses.
Event details:
8th annual SocialICE
Thursday, Feb. 18 from 5-9 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 19, and Saturday, Feb. 20, from 4-10 p.m.
Peace Plaza in downtown Rochester
Correction: A previous version of this article incorrectly stated that the seven pubs were selected at random. They were, in fact, chosen through a blind jury process based on specific criteria.
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(Cover photo: 2015 event / The Med City Beat)
