Starting January 15, La Peg’s outdoor beer garden will be transformed into Pegsicle, an ice bar and ice-sculpture garden, back this winter by popular demand.

La Peg chef-owner—and amateur ice-sculptor—Peter Woolsey will “pick off” Pegsicle at noon on Monday, wielding chainsaws and chisels to craft a bar out of 16 huge blocks of ice. Spectators at La Peg, which is located in the FringeArts building across from Race Street Pier, can order drinks from the bar inside, bundle up and head out to watch Woolsey work his magic. At 5pm, the sculpting will cease—and the ice bar will be open for business.

The bar will be open from Monday until the structure melts (they're projecting Friday, or so) during La Peg’s regular business hours—including happy hour from 5 to 7pm. Pegsicle goers can warm up with a drink from a special winter menu alongside three fire pits—all while enjoying views of the Ben Franklin Bridge overhead. For the ultimate experience, swing by at 5pm from Tuesday on to catch local artists creating ice sculptures to complement Woolsey’s bar-on-the-rocks.

Guests can view these lit-up sculptures under the glimmering lights of La Peg’s outdoor Haas Biergarten and enjoy pub food, including burgers, wings and grilled cheese (ranging from $8 to $14), and upscale comfort food from La Peg’s full dinner menu (think butternut squash soup, “Thanksgiving dinner,” and crab cakes). Keep your gloved fingers crossed for temperatures to stay below freezing for the rest of the week so you can grab a drink before the bar melts away.

Prefer doing your cocktailing in warmer environs? Check out our list of the most tucked-away and cozy bars in Philadelphia.

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