Ice ice baby

The Capital’s first ever ice bar opens this weekend, promising that the chill never ends.

Delhi’s first ice bar, named Ice Lounge, opens its gates to guests this Saturday at Saket’s MGF Metropolitan Mall. Thirty five tonnes of ice, cut into 2,000 ice blocks that took 45 days to reach Delhi from Canada is what it took to construct the bar, which has everything made of ice, including the decor items and even the glasses.

Apart from the Ice Bar, the place also has a regular lounge with a DJ console and a separate smoking arena. The lounge’s co-owner, Puneet Tayal, says, “We’ve maintained the temperature of -5 degrees inside the bar, and zero degrees in the ante room (the corridor leading to it). Clubbers can enter the bar zone for a vodka-based cocktail (that being the only alcoholic drink with a freezing temperature of -65 degrees) and can enjoy till the chill gets uncomfortable. An average person can brave the cold for a maximum of 40 minutes inside the bar.”

Armed with 150 thermal capes, the bar can accommodate 35 people. “The ‘ice bar’ that opened recently in Mumbai, is a cheap imitation of the ones around the world. We would like to call ourselves India’s first authentic ice lounge,” says Tayal.
The ice bar has an entry fee of Rs 1,000, which includes a complimentary cocktail served in an ice glass. No food can be served inside. “The club is open to stags too. No ailment, barring a flu or fever, should stop you from entering the ice bar,” adds Tayal.

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What’s an ice bar?
A nightclub/lounge made up of ice that maintains a temperature of below freezing point. Julian Bayley of Ice Culture, who’s designed at least 12 ice bars in locations such as Los Angeles, Dubai and New Zealand, is the creative force behind Delhi’s Ice Lounge.