It was a rainy Tuesday in Madrid when I found myself casually sipping sangria at a bar made entirely of ice. Yes, ice—walls, chairs, glasses, even the bar itself. Imagine Elsa’s castle from Frozen, except instead of belting out “Let It Go,” you’re clutching a parka that smells faintly of mildew while trying not to frostbite your rear end. When my study-abroad roommate suggested we check it out, I thought, “Sure, why not? What’s a little frostburn in the name of adventure?” Turns out, stepping into a glorified freezer would become one of the more bizarre experiences of my life—and a surprisingly poignant lesson on connection, culture, and enduring the unexpected.

Freezing First Impressions

The place was aptly named Icebar Madrid, and stepping inside felt like entering your ex’s heart: cold, unnervingly quiet, and bizarrely decorated. The main chamber was a kaleidoscope of glowing blue lights and sculptures of penguins carved into the walls. It was the kind of spot you could easily imagine popping up in a Bond movie, with Daniel Craig ordering a martini from the bartender who, in our case, looked about as unenthused as someone who puts up with tourists speaking broken Spanish on the daily. To his credit, serving cocktails in thermal gloves doesn’t exactly scream “dream job.”

I stood awkwardly in my assigned parka, too flimsy to block out the relentless chill, thinking, “Am I paying 20 euros to hang out in the walk-in fridge of an Olive Garden?” But the absurdity gave way to hilarity. Within minutes, I was laughing with my roommate over how ridiculous the whole concept was—bundled up like marshmallows, spilling sangria from chunked-up ice glasses. It felt like a fever dream, or maybe a fever nightmare, except we were distinctly freezing.

Dating Advice…From a Bar Made of Ice?

At some point—probably halfway through my second frozen mojito—I realized Icebar Madrid was basically the improbable metaphor for dating no one asked for but everyone needs. Think about it: dating is often like willingly walking into an unfamiliar, uncomfortable environment, not entirely sure what you’re in for. It’s a little awkward at first (kind of like figuring out where to sit when the chair itself is ice...pro tip: don’t overthink it). But then something clicks—a shared laugh, a weird but endearing story—and suddenly the cold doesn’t feel as unbearable. You start to warm up.

It also taught me an underrated rule about relationships: the unexpected surprises tend to leave the biggest impact. You’ll forget another swanky rooftop bar or “perfect” date restaurant faster than you realize, but something truly offbeat? That stays with you. Icebar Madrid wasn’t romantic in the slightest—it was more of a deep-freeze-themed amusement park—but the lesson stuck. Embrace the strange. Those are the moments you remember.

Take It From Me: Try The Weird Stuff Together

If I can survive laughing in sub-zero temperatures while clutching a melting ice mug, I promise your date in a niche escape room or goat yoga class won’t be that bad. Here’s what I learned from my chilly escapade:

  1. Quirky = Memorable
    Skip the same ol’ movie-and-dinner night or endless debates about where to go. Trying something bonkers—whether it’s axe-throwing or, I don’t know, a cooking class where you make sushi blindfolded—will not only break the ice (pun intended) but also lead to some solid bonding. Even if it flops, you’ll both have a funny story to tell.

  2. Don’t Be Afraid to Get Uncomfortable
    Relationships, like life, get weird. No one grows or thrives in a constant state of comfort. Whether it’s enduring an ice chair or putting yourself out there emotionally, the willingness to feel discomfort often brings deeper intimacy in the long run. I mean, I didn’t expect to feel connected to penguin ice sculptures—but despising the cold together forged a bizarre comradery.

  3. Laugh Through the Awkwardness
    Holding your drink with gloves, only for it to freeze to the cup? Thrilling. Tripping over frost-covered floors? Comedy gold. The unscripted stuff—like stumbles or even misunderstandings—can turn a simple experience into something special. Be open to laughing off less-than-perfect moments. You’re human, not Elsa.

The Big Chill (Metaphorically Speaking)

That icy night in Madrid didn’t end in romance. It ended in chili peppers. (Fun fact: Spaniards believe eating spicy food warms you up—a claim I can now confirm is science-adjacent.) Still, walking home that evening, cheeks stinging from the cold, I realized how important it is to step outside of familiar routines. That strange little bar taught me that sometimes the most surprising places, people, or situations are the ones worth remembering.

So, here’s my advice: the next time life—or your date—invites you to try something completely out of your element, take the leap. Whether it’s an actual ice bar, a random karaoke contest, or just an unusually candid conversation, stay curious. Leave room for surprise. You might laugh, you might cringe—and you’ll definitely never forget it. And isn’t that what connection is all about?