Louisville rooftop bar 8UP brings heated 'igloos' to its terrace for the winter

Rooftop bars sound fun in theory — perfect for a few drinks with friends on those clear summer nights — but what happens when the winter hits with cold weather, rain and snow?

8UP Elevated Drinkery & Kitchen in downtown Louisville isn't letting any of that get in the way this season, instead bringing six fully enclosed "igloos" to its eighth-floor patio on West Chestnut Street. 

Each igloo holds eight people comfortably, and they can be reserved each day of the week with varying food and drink bill minimums.

8UP sales manager Kelcie Perez said time slots are filling up quickly. 

"If people are thinking about reservations, I would do it sooner rather than later," she said. 

There are six igloos, each with a different theme, including Diamonds and Fur, Flannel and Frost, Velvet Lounge, Tropical Dream, Disco Lounge and Barrel Lounge.

The igloos are made of vinyl and nylon materials, according to a Garden Igloo product description on Walmart's website. The dome shape allows a uniform temperature throughout the tent, which is transparent all around. 

The igloos are a new addition to 8UP's rooftop, and Perez said it will be the restaurant's first year not closing the patio at all during winter months. 

8UP isn't the first bar to have igloos pop up in time for winter. Cincinnati's AC Hotel at The Banks added four igloos to its patio this season, and Bobby Hotel's Rooftop Lounge in Nashville transformed into a "Winter Nordic Village" last week, complete with igloos and cedar cabins available for rent. 

The reservations can be made during the following times: 

Sunday - Wednesday

5-8 p.m., food/drink minimum: $200

8:15-11:15 p.m., food/drink minimum: $400. 

Thursday - Saturday

4-7 p.m., food/drink minimum: $300.

7:15-10:15 p.m., food/drink minimum: $500.

10:30 p.m.-1:30 a.m., food/drink minimum: $750.

To make a reservation, go to opentable.com or call 502-631-4180 for more information. 

Contact reporter Emma Austin at eaustin@gannett.com and 502-582-4180 or follow on Twitter @emmacaustin. Support strong local journalism by subscribing today: subscribe.courier-journal.com.