Footsteps on the Globe

Positively the coolest place (pun intended) to spend an evening in London during the Summertime, but ICEBAR LONDON is much more than vodka on the rocks…

WELCOME TO ICEBAR LONDON- A SUB- ZERO DRINKING EXPERIENCE

Arriving prompt for our time slot (undoubtedly a first for the Jones family) and into what can only be described as a space suit crossed with a pleather hooded poncho, we stepped into a giant freezer. I didn’t know whether to order a drink or check the back for a giant tub of Ben and Jerry’s.

The room is kept at a constant -5C and everything (and I mean everything) is made of ice; from the tables that you sit at to the glasses you drink your cocktails from. It felt like being in a grown up version of Narnia but with less snow and more alcohol (hey I’m cool with that…ok I’ll stop now).

INNOVATIVE DESIGN

At the time, the decoration in the room seemed random as one wall had a hot dog etched into it and another one had a deer on it; but as we found out later on, it’s all part of a theme (at the time it was food).

Once a year, the entire bar is completely transformed with a new design and layout by a team of skilled ice designers and sculptors (I know I didn’t think you could design ice for a living either!). With each new design, the designers build on the tradition of innovation and style for which ICEBAR LONDON has now become famous.

Not only that, but the ice used for the designs and layout of the room is from the Torne River in Northern Sweden, a source which has long been highly regarded for its unique purity.

COCKTAILS WITH A TWIST

But what about those cocktails I hear you say? Well! They’re served in tumblers made of ice and feature some of your favourite spirits, including vodka, gin, rum, bourbon and tequila. There are also upgrades for those of you who are fancy schmancy and want to have a champagne cocktail with various liqueurs and fruit combinations. The most popular (and our favourites) were the vodka cocktails. Here’s a selection from the menu to give you an idea…

• BRANCH OFF

  Absolut Blue Vodka, Passoa, Passion Fruit Puree, Lychee Juice, Lemon Juice

• DOUBLE VISION

  Absolut Blue Vodka, Apple Puree, Passion Fruit Juice, Lemon Juice

• TROPICAL SENSATION

  Absolut Blue Vodka, Blueberry Liqueur, Tropical Fruit Juice, Lemon Juice, Strawberry Syrup

• Li’L TART

  Absolut Citron Vodka, Pink Grapefruit Liqueur, Cranberry Juice, Lemon Juice, Orange Bitter

• PRIME MOVER

  Absolut Vanilla Vodka, Blueberry Liqueur, Apple Juice, Cinnamon Syrup

Thirsty yet? ;)

MORE INFORMATION

Drinking slots are in 40 minute windows and book up fast, so make sure you’re ahead of the game by reserving your tickets at least a couple of weeks in advance. Tickets cost £16.50 per person which gets you 40 minutes inside ICEBAR LONDON and a free cocktail. You can buy more drinks whilst you’re in there but the number of rounds depends on how much you can drink in 40 minutes…consider yourselves challenged.

Overall my family and I loved it! We had drinks outside in the sun as we were waiting for our time slot and had the option to have dinner afterwards in the upstairs restaurant and lounge if we wanted to. For only £16.50 it’s a bargain for a quirky drinking experience and a fun photo op.

Have you ever been to an Ice Bar anywhere in the world? I’d love to hear about it :)