Bar Limina Brings World-Class Cocktails—and Ice—to Memphis

Memphis is about to welcome a stunning new addition to its cocktail scene with the opening of Bar Limina, a bar where craftsmanship, culture, and community converge in an elegant yet inviting space. Ahead of its official opening, we spoke with owner Josh Conley to learn more about the vision behind Bar Limina—and why ice plays a bigger role than you might think.

Craft Cocktails Rooted in Storytelling

At its heart, Bar Limina is a craft cocktail bar that values not just technique and high-quality ingredients, but also the stories behind the drinks. Building on the momentum of the acclaimed Etowah Dinner Series, Josh and his team are launching a “Bartender in Residence” program—a rotating series that will feature top mixologists from around the globe. Each will take over the bar for a few days at a time, bringing their unique perspective, style, and expertise.

“We will welcome the best bar talent from all over the world to take over our space,” Josh explains. “They’ll tell their own story and allow us to serve as a curator of cultural dialogue and exchange.”

A Space That Tells Its Own Story

Bar Limina is located at 631 Madison Avenue, inside a beautifully preserved 1930s tile and marble showroom. The original terrazzo floors and intricate tilework inspired the rest of the design, which balances warmth and sophistication. With soft white walls, white oak millwork, greenery, and art from Memphis’s own Ugly Art Co., the space promises a visually rich and welcoming vibe—accented, of course, by a carefully curated vintage playlist.

A Win at Mix Odyssey—and a Toast to Great Ice

Bar Limina recently made waves at Mix Odyssey, a bartending competition that supported local nonprofit Volunteer Odyssey. Bar Limina’s bar manager, Jenna Abu-Khrabeh, took home the People’s Choice Award. Josh couldn’t be prouder:

“The event was awesome and I’m glad that Volunteer Odyssey is still putting things like that on – I think it does good things for the drinks scene here in Memphis and is a fun way to raise some money and exposure for their cause.”

An interesting footnote? Bar Limina brought their own ice to the event—and not just any ice. They brought Kold-Draft, their preferred cube, known for its square shape and purity.

“Not only is the ice a visual component of the cocktail experience, but these are drinks that every part of a millilitre is considered, so dilution is so important to getting the intended profiles of the drink. Similarly, the right ice gives us a little more control over temperature, without over-dillution.”

Why Memphis Ice?

When it came time to source equipment, Josh knew he needed reliability and local support. After a less-than-ideal experience with a previous provider, he turned to Memphis Ice Machine Company.

“I wanted to work with a local group to make sure I had the level of service and maintenance that would be required for our concept,” Josh says. “I knew I wanted a Kold-Draft, and the team at Memphis Ice worked hard to make sure we had it in the space early so that we could start getting used to it in practice. The team has been awesome to work with!”

Opening Soon in the Edge District

Bar Limina’s grand opening will take place on May 30, 2025; and marks the beginning of an exciting chapter, with several high-profile guest bartenders scheduled to appear in the weeks and months ahead—setting the stage for what’s shaping up to be a landmark destination for craft cocktails in Memphis.

To get the scoop on Bar Limina’s launch and stay in the loop about the bartenders they’ll be bringing in, be sure to follow along at @barlimina on Instagram or head to www.BarLimina.com to join their mailing list.