Something New: Week 15 – Drinks At The Ice Bar
by Ranil on Jun.29, 2009
You can thank New Zealand for two things: the great scenery from the Lord Of The Rings movies and the craptastic overpriced sensation that is Minus 5. The idea is sound – create a vodka bar where the vodka is served as freezing cold as the furniture. The implementation however, that’s something else.
This ode to a frozen wasteland is found in Sydney’s Circular Quay and brings in tourists and regular city folk alike all looking to try the novelty of drinking out of glasses made from ice. After paying the $30 entrance fee (it comes with a free drink) you make your way to a room to don some warm apparel so you don’t freeze to death while enjoying your overpriced cocktail. You struggle to find something that fits (especially among the mismatched gloves) and walk into a room surrounded by ice sculptures and the sound of teeth chattering.
You’re allotted thirty minutes to enjoy the scenery and a good reminder not to leave your glass on the furniture as it will soon become one if left unattended. You drink slowly because after the first “free” cocktail every drink thereafter is $15. No beer. No Vodka Collins. Just a preset list of cocktails served by a seemingly well acclimated bartender.
After admiring the ice sculptures and taking your photos you realize it’s time to head downstairs and grab yourself a nice beer. In terms of novelty it’s an interesting idea but a piss poor place to actually drink.
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