Last of the Very Great Ice Bars

Here's the theory of the ice bar: It's freezing outside, so patrons should be given coats and gloves, then banished to an igloo. Aria, China World Hotel's bar and restaurant, opened a fully-enclosed ice bar at the beginning of January. After a few weeks, it melted. Reports from Aria management suggests that it was a hit.

Swissôtel has an ice bar too, although it seems to operate under a slightly different premise. Here's the theory of the Swissôtel ice bar: It's freezing outside, so we'll stack some ice blocks outside and call it an ice bar.

I don't say this to denigrate the place in any way. There is more involved in the production and maintenance of this kind of project than I am letting on. The blocks are specially frozen to avoid cloudy ice. An entire bar is chiseled out of what must have been an enormous chunk of H2O. The whole shebang is shaded during the day to protect it from the destructive power of the sun. There's also a kind of vodka ice luge, with ice glasses to drink from. Heating pillars sensibly placed between the frozen bars keep patrons "warm."

Although initially designed as venue for corporate functions, the thing was so fabulously popular that Swissôtel decided to open it up to the public from 6-9pm daily. The official closing date is February 3. When I stopped by on a blistering Tuesday, management said the ice might last longer if the weather held. Sadly, it doesn't look like it has.

Don't despair if you missed the ice bars entirely this season, or if it's out of your budget. Try smashing through the ice on Hou Hai, treading water and guzzling a cold Yanjing to simulate the experience.

Call 6553 2288 to book events at the Swissôtel ice bar.

Image: Travel Adventures