At This Bar it’s Cold Inside
February 3, 2008 by Mary Jo Manzanares
Filed under European Travel, Food & Beverage, Things to See & Do
Most of the time we go inside to get out of the cold, but at the Absolut Icebar London you step indoors to find a room at a balmy -5 degrees. Yes, you heard that right, the temp at this bar is well below zero.
The Icebar is located in the heart of Mayfair in London (31-33 Heddon Street), a 5 minutes walk from either the Piccadilly Circus or Oxford tube station. The bar is a permanent business, made out of crystal clear ice from the Torne River in Sweden, and has walls, bar, tables, and even personal beverage glasses made out of ice.
The bar must be completely reconstructed every six month, and each re-building brings with it a new theme and design.
Currently, the bar has a Disco theme, complete with a DJ corner with turntable. (Remember what those are?) The lighting, music and entire vibe is designed to recreate a disco nightclub.
The Icebar is open Monday – Wednesday, 3:30 pm – 11:00 pm; Thursday, 3:30 – 11.45 pm; Friday, 3:30 pm – 12:30am; Sat 12:30 pm - 12:30 am; and Sunday, 3:30 – 10:15 pm.
Reservations are not required, but strongly recommendation, especially on weekends. Booking slots are in 40 minute increments. You can book your reservation time slot online.
Admission is about $24 weekdays, $30 weekends, and includes the use of a thermal cape to keep your warm, a personal ice glass, and your choice of a vodka cocktail or a non-alcoholic beverage in your ice glass. Cocktail refills are about $12, and non-alcoholic refills are about $6.
After your cocktail at the Icebar, you can warm up next door at Below Zero. Despite it’s name, it’s a “warm” restaurant and bar, were you can have lunch, dinner, or additional cocktails.
Despite being a warm weather person, I’m strangely intrigued and drawn to these ice businesses, including Quebec’s Ice Hotel.
Photo credit: flickr
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