The Ice Cream Bar at Decades

Ice cream and summer make for the perfect pairing and Decades in Lancaster has the spot to enjoy both – The Ice Cream Bar, which is located on the lawn that fronts the building. Since July is National Ice Cream Month, it’s the perfect time to visit and indulge. 

Making its debut in 2019, Decades offers upscale casual fare, entertainment in the form of retro arcade games and bowling, and an events space, all of which make their home in repurposed space at the former Stahr Armory along North Queen Street in Lancaster. New to the offerings is an outdoor area called The Ice Cream Bar. Perfect for Date Night or an evening out with friends, the space is casual in design, as it’s furnished with Adirondack chairs and picnic and umbrella-topped tables. Lawn games such as cornhole also comprise the space. 

Unlike most restaurants in the city, Decades is unique in that it boasts a front lawn area that until now was under-utilized. “We wanted to upgrade that area,” says Jonathan Yeager, whose business partners include Chris Trendler and Adam Ozimek. The trio, who have been friends since elementary school, are also partners in Joycat Ventures, which produces events such as the upcoming Lancaster Craft Beer Fest. Chris credits the pandemic for planting the seed of putting the lawn to better use. “During the pandemic, we put picnic tables on the front lawn. Then, about three years ago, we started thinking about how we could bring another experience to our guests,” he recalls.  “We always felt the front of the building had more potential,” Jonathan adds. 

Launched in June 2025, The Ice Cream Bar celebrated its grand reopening in April and will remain open through October, weather permitting. Chris notes that the popularity of The Ice Cream Bar prompted expanded seating and can now accommodate about 70. “During the first season, The Ice Cream Bar seemed to draw a lot of new customers to us. It works well with the rest of our experience,” he says. “During the day we have a lot of families. We also have a take-out window, and we’ve seen neighbors come across the street for ice cream.”    

The Ice Cream Bar’s menu features hand-dipped ice cream served in cake or waffle cones or in a dish. Milkshakes (both standard and boozy varieties) include flavors such as salted caramel espresso. There’s also a non-dairy vanilla milkshake, which has a boozy counterpart. Frozen treats such as the Death by Chocolate Sundae, the Toasted Coconut Root Beer Float and  Key Lime Pie Float are also available. 

The Ice Cream Bar’s 12 ice cream flavors are mainly from Kreider Farms, but Decades also offers two house-made flavors. They include the customer favorite Coindexter Crunch, a flavor inspired by Capt’n Crunch cereal, and a seasonal flavor. For summer, Coindexter Crunch is being joined by Mango Coconut Swirl, a house-made mango ice cream featuring coconut swirls. 

Savory snacks are also available, as is iced coffee. 

As for the bar menu, the selection includes fan-favorite Decades cocktail pouches; four draft beers on tap; a variety of canned beer; Decades margaritas; and Shifty canned cocktails. (Shifty is the creator of canned cocktails produced by Lancaster’s Thistle Finch Distillery.) The two elements collaborate to create milkshake flavors such as the boozy chocolate screwball, tequila strawberry and spiked espresso.

The full restaurant menu is available outdoors for seasonal dining. The offerings include wings (available in 11 flavors); finger foods including soft pretzel bites; and Decades’ signature tacos, salads, sandwiches and burgers, including the Decades cheeseburger and a vegan burger. Decades Ramen, mac-and-cheese egg rolls and ravioli are also specialties of the house. 

Decades is located at 438 North Queen St., Lancaster. Hours through Labor Day are Wednesday and Thursday, 4 p.m.-12 a.m. Friday, 12 p.m.-1 a.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.-1 a.m. Sunday, 11 a.m.-12 a.m. Hours for The Ice Cream Bar are Wednesday through Friday, 4-9 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 12-9 p.m. Closed Monday and Tuesday. Call 717-282-1421 or visit decadeslancaster.com or Facebook.