Consisting mostly of ice, approximately 45 tons of which had been imported from Canada, this bar offers patrons warm outerwear before they indulge in having their drinks (served in ice glasses) and admiring the various ice sculptures. The recently opened Ice Lounge is the first of its kind in South Africa and offers a venue for corporate functions as well as entertainment for children during the day. After 17h30 it is strictly adults and the entrance fee is increased to approximately 8 Euro. Daytime tariffs and related information is available at the website. Please note that the Ice Lounge is seasonal and does not operate during the winter. You can also view my photo set at flicr
While a venue made entirely from ice is a unique proposition for the local market, similar venues have operated around the world with ice lounges and ice bars having been constructed in London, Sydney, Milan and Stockholm in past years. The ice hotel in Sweden attracts 100 000 visitors a year but, it is a greater challenge to maintain an Ice Lounge in a South African summer than an Ice Hotel over the European winter.
Thor Ice has over the past five years introduced a number of innovative means of branding and product display through ice carving and creative frozen product inserts. It is this experience that drove them to attempt a far bigger project: constructing the region’s first lounge or bar of this kind. Both Cape Town and Johannesburg were considered as locations for the project but ultimately Cape Town’s cosmopolitan nature won favour with the creators who have visited similar venues in trendy cities across the globe.
Source: Hotel & Restaurant
