The Cliff House Ice Bar Is the Ultimate Maine Winter Experience

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The Cliff House Ice Bar is one of the coolest ways to experience winter on the Maine coast, with ice luge cocktails, fresh oysters, local beer flights, and live music right by the sea. Keep reading for my full review of what it’s really like, what’s included with your ticket, and why this event is such a fun winter night out in Maine.

The Cliff House Ice Bar

The Cliff House has been a staple on the southern Maine coast for generations.

Sitting high above the ocean in Cape Neddick, with some of the best views in the entire state.

While it’s always been known as a classic seaside getaway, it’s also become a really fun place to visit in the winter!

Thanks to seasonal events like the Ice Bar at Nubb’s Lobster Shack.

A few times each winter, the outdoor space is transformed into a cold-weather celebration

My Experience at Nubb’s Ice Bar at Cliff House

Here’s a closer look at my experience attending the Cliff House Ice Bar, from checking in at Nubb’s to sipping cocktails through an ice luge right on the Maine coast.

Checking In at Nubb’s Lobster Shack

Once you arrive at Cliff House, you’ll make your way up from the parking area toward the main hotel.

Then you’ll start seeing signs pointing you in the direction of the Ice Bar.

One of the carved ice sculptures on the lawn, with the ocean stretching out behind it on a clear winter day.

The event takes place outside at Nubb’s Lobster Shack, and when you step inside, you’ll check in and receive your Nubb’s Ice Bar boarding pass.

Your Nubb’s Ice Bar boarding pass at Cliff House Maine, comes with tickets for the cocktail luge, brewery tasting, and fresh oysters.

At the bottom of the pass are three small tickets you tear off throughout the night, one for the cocktail luge, one for the brewery tasting, and one for your fresh oysters.

Beer Tasting at Baxter Brewing

After checking in, we headed straight to the brewery tasting portion of the event, which featured Baxter Brewing.

I love this brewery, and we visit often, so it was especially fun seeing them involved in the Ice Bar celebration.

Trying the Baxter Brewing “Following Seas” beer, a special Cliff House Maine brew.

The beer flight includes three samples, which is a perfect way to try a few different pours without feeling rushed.

Baxter even has their own Cliff House beer called Following Seas, which felt very fitting for the setting.

Cheers to local beer flights at the Cliff House Ice Bar, with the Atlantic Ocean just beyond the cliffs.

Once we grabbed our samples, we went back outside and enjoyed them near the pool, with the ocean stretching out just beyond the cliffs.

Freshly Shucked Mere Point Oysters

After sipping our beer, we made our way over to the oyster station for our Mere Point Oysters.

Mere Point is based in Brunswick, Maine, and each ticket includes two oysters per person.

Nothing beats a freshly shucked Maine oyster with toppings, especially with the ocean nearby.

There were plenty of toppings and accompaniments to add on top too.

Honestly, there’s just something about eating a freshly shucked Maine oyster while standing near the ocean that feels so special, especially in the middle of winter.

For a fun summer experience, You Have to Try This Oyster and Wine Sail in Portland, Maine!

Ice Luge Cocktails at the Ice Bar

Next came my favorite part of the entire event, the ice luge cocktail served at The Ice Bar!

TheCliff House Ice Bar, where drinks are poured straight down the ice luge.

Your drink is prepared right in front of you, then poured down the ice luge into your cup, which is such a fun experience and makes the Ice Bar feel truly unique.