Coolest Bars are Actually Freezing

Some of the coolest bars in the world aren't just cool -- they are actually freezing! Sweden may be the home of the Ice Hotel and the world's first ice bar -- the Absolut Icebar, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year -- but the world has caught on to the popularity of these creations. TravelsinTaste sought out some of the most intriguing examples.

The Absolut Icebar concept includes everything being built with ice from Sweden's Torne River: the walls, stools, bar, even the glasses. Designs change annually so repeat visitors have something new to look forward to. Since the original Jukkasjarvi location, the concept has successfully launched in London, Stockholm and even the Mojave Desert.

Absolut's partnerships are out of this world; the Mojave Desert location was a temporary installation by Sir Richard Branson and Arnold Scharzenegger, in addition to Burt Rutan, who is leading the way on commercial space travel with Branson.

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Additional Ice lounges have cropped up across the United States and even in another desert -- Las Vegas. Minus5, a concept created in Auckland, New Zealand, in 2002 and subsequently opened in Australia and Portugal, opened at Mandalay Bay(MGM) in September 2008 and is still going strong. This ice lounge opens at 4 p.m. across the way from RM Seafood, making it a great option for a quick aperitif before your Vegas fine dining experience or for an after-dinner drink. The lounge is named for the temperature at which it's maintained.

The Absolut Icebar concept includes everything being built with ice from Sweden's Torne River: the walls, stools, bar, even the glasses.

Expect a 1,200-foot space -- created with 22 tons of 100% Canadian ice, furniture and bar included -- and two semi-private rooms for a more intimate experience. There's a 10-foot ice replica of Mount Rushmore and new ice carvings every six to eight weeks to freshen the guest experience. The sculptures reflect the season, location and wildlife, but with enough notice the bar can make ice into corporate logos and products for private functions. Customers get insulated jackets, fur hats and boots so they can completely enjoy the experience, touching and feeling the ice creations, and some couches are covered in deer skin.