By LAWRENCE TAN
Shanghai already has three, and Tokyo has one, and just last
week, on 1 October, sunny Florida welcomes its first ice bar in the form of ICEBAR Orlando.
Situated on International Drive and a stone’s throw away
from the Orange County Convention Center, Icebar
Orlando brings the same ‘chilling’ experience that has swept Asia by storm to
American soils.
Carved from 50 tons of pure ice, everything in this
year-round permanent nightspot is made of ice – from walls, bar, tables, sofas
and chairs draped in fur throws to the cocktail glass you hold in your hand.
There’s even a Snow Queen’s throne, polar bear and fireplace
– all carved out of ice, and in line with the bar’s current theme of an Ice
Palace, which will last for half a year before the bar’s team of Olympic ice
carvers work their magic again.
Inside, the temperature stays at -2.8 Celsius (or 27º F), so
guests are required to don thermal capes, gloves and foot coverings before they
enter. A US$35 cover charge entitles one to a 45-minute stay in this ice palace
and a glass of Grey Goose vodka.
After your 45-minute subzero experience, pick up the heat at
the Nordic-styled Chill Lounge next door, which features live entertainment,
caviar flights, and more vodka. The best part is there’s no cover charge here
though advanced reservations are required if you desire a VIP seating.
But just in case you stumble upon a full house, there’s
always the alfresco Polar Patio for you to kick off those heels and chill out
in the Florida sunshine.
www.icebarorlando.com