A talk with Cindy Spaniol, by Sherry Merideth
If you’ve ever wandered down Main Street in Oregon City, chances are you’ve heard laughter spilling out of the Ice House Bar & Grill. It’s more than just a spot for great food and a cold drink — it’s a hub for connection, celebration, and the kind of community spirit that makes Oregon City shine. And this summer, Ice House is stepping into the spotlight as one of the featured venues for the very first Willamette Falls Music Festival.
I sat down with owner Cindy Spaniol, who co-owns Ice House with her longtime business partner (and ex-husband turned best friend) Paul. Their journey into hospitality wasn’t exactly conventional. Cindy was once an accountant and customer service professional; Paul came from production management. In 2013, both found themselves at a crossroads, ready for reinvention. With the help of the Small Business Development Center, they took the leap into ownership — and Ice House was reborn.
“It’s very liberating to have a business that’s starting to be successful. We’ve been here since 2013, and now we’re really seeing the fruits of our labor. Ice House has become part of the community, and that’s what inspires us every day.” — Cindy
Running a bar through wildfires and a global pandemic could have been the end of the story. Instead, it was a beginning. Cindy and Paul chose to renovate and expand, turning their parking lot into a heated outdoor patio complete with a stage and a fire pit. That space, once just asphalt, is now a gathering place for live music, luaus, and — soon — the Willamette Falls Music Festival.
“Initially, we thought we couldn’t afford it,” Cindy admits. “But that renovation ended up being pivotal. Now we can host more guests, more events, and create memories together.”
On August 30, the Ice House patio will light up with performances from Sarah Lodge plays from 1:30-3:30PM (Correction from the audio) and Radio Riots play from 4:45-6:45PM, bringing high-energy music and plenty of local flavor to the heart of Oregon City. For Cindy, the festival is about more than music — it’s about celebrating Oregon City’s hidden gems.
“The Willamette Falls Music Festival is going to bring more people downtown and show them what Oregon City has to offer. The Ice House has history — it was literally an ice storage place years ago! We’ve got pinball machines, great food, and now live music. There’s something for everyone.”
From hosting the Salvation Army Giving Tree to collecting teddy bears for first responders and celebrating Pride with the neighborhood, Ice House isn’t just a bar — it’s a community partner. And that’s exactly why their partnership with the festival feels so natural.
Cindy sums it up best: “We’re just thrilled to be a part of it. We love bringing people together. And honestly — who doesn’t love great music, great food, and a fire pit?”
✨ Join the party: Don’t miss Ice House Bar & Grill at the Willamette Falls Music Festival on Saturday, August 30, 2025. Come hungry, come curious, and come ready to discover why Oregon City is buzzing. You can catch the action at Ice House Bar & Grill on social and their website too - Ice House Bar & Grill Facebook, Instagram
Ice House Bar & Grill is located at - 1200 Main St, Oregon City, OR 97045