Ice Bars, A Growing–And Incredibly Cool–Trend

Published January 24, 2014
Updated February 27, 2024

In tourist hot spots, take some time to cool off in one of these trendy ice bars.

Ice Bars

Source: Energi Smart

A fast-growing movement in the competitive world of nightlife entertainment is providing people with a unique and cool experience—quite literally. Entrepreneurs in many countries are raking in customers—and profits—with the expanding popularity of novelty drinking establishments fashioned completely out of ice; walls and all.

New York Pink Room

Source: Mashable

Often found in hotels or resorts, ice bars have become a popular tourist destination, especially for those who find themselves vacationing in the middle of a hot climate. Inside temperatures are typically kept at 23 degrees Fahrenheit or below, and with tables and seating sculpted from solid ice, some bars offer the comfort of large furs on the

Ice Bars New York Fur Couch

Source:

Amongst the expected oddities: customers are allotted certain time slots in which they are able to occupy the bar, and the employees work in short shifts. Clerks usually offer a parka or heavy coat to patrons at the door. The number of overall people is also limited (and closely monitored) to ensure that the combined body heat doesn’t begin to melt the establishment. Devices that emit heat and endanger the frigid atmosphere, like a cell phone, must be kept in lockers just outside the entrance.

Most often decorated with ice sculptures and lit with multi-colored LED lights (which produce much less heat than standard light sources), these frozen clubs are amazing to look at, even if you happen to be shivering the entire time while sipping on a popular, vodka-based drink served in a shot glass made from ice.

The Minus 5 Ice Bars, found in Las Vegas, Nevada and Midtown West, New York

Minus 5 Ice Bars

Source: Travel Freak

The “Icebarcelona” in Barcelona, Spain

Ice Bars Barcelona Castle

Source: Feca’s Arm

The Frost Ice Bar in Boston, Massachusetts

The Frost Ice Bar

Source: Boston

IceBar Stockholm by ICEHOTEL (formerly known as the Absolut Ice Bar)

Ice Bars Stockholm Serving Area

Source: Flickr

Ice Bars Stockholm Lounge

Source: Black Chick On Tour

ICEBAR London by ICEHOTEL

Lobby View

Source: Amazing PR

ICEBAR London by ICEHOTEL

Source: Cision

author
Erin Kelly
author
An All That's Interesting writer since 2013, Erin Kelly focuses on historic places, natural wonders, environmental issues, and the world of science. Her work has also been featured in Smithsonian and she's designed several book covers in her career as a graphic artist.
editor
Savannah Cox
editor
Savannah Cox holds a Master's in International Affairs from The New School as well as a PhD from the University of California, Berkeley, and now serves as an Assistant Professor at the University of Sheffield. Her work as a writer has also appeared on DNAinfo.