A new restaurant in Washington, D.C. Is raising eyebrows – and prices – with a unique addition to its cocktail menu: a $1 surcharge for “artisanal” ice. Second State, which opened on Tuesday, October 21, 2014, is the first establishment in the city to list an ice surcharge on its cocktail menu, according to reports.
The ice isn’t simply frozen water. it’s described as “hand-cut rock” and is sourced from Favourite Ice, a local boutique ice company founded by bartenders Owen Thomson and Joseph Ambrose. The restaurant’s bar manager, Phil Clark, explained to the Washington City Paper that the ice is worth the extra cost because it’s “crystal clear” and “purified,” lacking the “minerally taste” found in standard ice cubes. Bartenders at Second State even chip off the corners to create a more spherical shape.
The surcharge applies only to drinks that don’t typically come with ice, such as a negroni or a martini. A classic Manhattan, for example, will cost $14, but an additional dollar is added if a customer requests it “on the rock.”
While Second State isn’t the first to experiment with high-quality ice – Half Step in Austin specializes in artisanal ice, and Rye Bar in D.C. Has researched the best bottled water for its ice spears – it appears to be the first to implement a separate charge for it. According to Clark, the restaurant doesn’t even profit from the ice; factoring in delivery costs, it’s a “loss leader.”
The practice of charging for ice isn’t entirely new. The now-closed Darby in New York City previously charged $2 for artisanal ice with cocktails. However, Second State’s approach has sparked debate, as evidenced by a commenter on the original Washington City Paper post who succinctly stated, “F*ck this times infinity.”
The move comes amidst a broader trend of “artisanal” products gaining popularity, from craft beers to gourmet cheeses. Whether customers will be willing to pay an extra dollar for frozen water remains to be seen, but Second State is betting that the enhanced cocktail experience is worth the cost.
The restaurant, themed around Pennsylvania cuisine, is located at 1831 M St. NW, in the space formerly occupied by Mighty Pint.
