Two Tristate restaurants have added heated igloos to the outdoor dining experience

Winter is here but that doesn’t mean the winter blues have to take all the fun out of outdoor dining. Two restaurants in the area—AC Upper Deck downtown and Catch-a-Fire Pizza Blue Ash—are giving guests the opportunity to stay warm while eating outside.

“The AC Upper Deck is a rooftop bar located at The Banks in Cincinnati’s Entertainment District,” says Jessica Carlson, general manager with Pyramid Hotel Group. “The rooftop bar features impeccable views of The Ohio River, downtown Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky.

“During the winter we feature igloos, which allow for groups of eight people to gather in a warm climate while still being outdoors,” says Carlson. “It creates a gathering space for friends, families, business groups and more.”

According to Carlson, the location of AC Upper Deck is hard to beat, making it an ideal place to enjoy both cold and warm cocktails. In addition, AC Upper Deck is planning to launch a new food and beverage menu for the 2022 season. 

AC Upper Deck, 135 Nuxhall Way, Downtown. acupperdeck.com

Another Tristate restaurant is also giving diners the chance to eat in an igloo. The igloos at Catch-a-Fire Pizza Blue Ash can accommodate up to six people in a warm dining experience that still allows you to get outside. The igloos are decorated for winter and feature twinkling lights. Catch-a-Fire Pizza also has added three smaller igloos for couples.

All of the igloos at Catch-a-Fire Pizza Blue Ash are heated and come equipped with Bluetooth speakers, giving guests the opportunity to listen to their own playlist.

The restaurant’s full menu is available for guests, which features wood-fired specialties, craft beers, wines and cocktails, and igloo guests can opt for extra desserts like s’mores dip, crema bruciata, hot chocolate and hot apple cider. 

“The igloos give us a fun way to keep some excitement going throughout the winter season,” says Catch-a-Fire Pizza owner Melissa Ledford. “We are able to offer a unique experience and service for our guests to get out and celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, the holidays and date nights.”

Catch-a-Fire Pizza, 9290 Kenwood Road, Blue Ash. catchafirepizza.com