I’m a firm believer in variety being the spice of life, therefore we’re always on the lookout for unique experiences. Hubby, AJ and I visited an ice bar in Melbourne and we’ve been on the lookout for another so BJ could experience one too. We thought he’d love it, and we were right.
As I’ve mentioned before, BJ likes to be on-the-go, he’s not one to linger over long lunches or to sit waiting while we have a drink in a bar. Therefore Below Zero Ice Bar in Queenstown was the ideal spot for him.
We visited after a day exploring nearby areas and weren’t ideally dressed for the minus zero conditions but thankfully jackets and gloves are provided as part of the entry price. BJ and Hubby had shorts on so they were a little chilly but we outlasted others who arrived, had drinks and then left. Wimps!
Unlike other ice bars I’ve seen, Below Zero Ice Bar incorporates interactive elements into the experience. Not only does that keep restless bods like BJ entertained, it keeps the cold at bay when you move about. The ice hockey table was the scene of a fiercely competitive game and proved a hit with the whole family.
The photo booth was a fun element for the kids. Trying on various props they spent quite a bit of time taking photos and laughing at the results. Photos were available to purchase at the end and BJ was not leaving without his favourite one.
Of course it is a bar and drinks are available. The drink’s menu has a range of mocktails and alcholic cocktails to try.
An ice sculptor has done an amazing job of creating an ice wonderland with everything from the bar, the stools and decorations intricately carved from ice.
Being the wicked person I am, I fancied sliding my ice cup from one end of the ice bar to the other, like in the movies. But apparently I can be an embarrassing mother at times. Thus, I refrained – but my fingers were itching to do it.
ACCESSIBILITY
We popped into Below Zero Ice Bar a couple of days in advance of visiting to ask about a quiet time to return. Although the space can fit 55 people, we felt with a wheelchair it was better to visit when it wasn’t so busy to make it easier to circulate in a wheelchair in the space. We visited at 5pm on a weekday.
Ramp access leads from the street into the Below Zero Ice Bar and another ramp leads to the bar.
The entry to the bar is narrow but should be accessible to most.
We received complimentary entry to Below Zero Ice Bar for the purposes of a review. We paid for our drinks and photo. As always, our review is a reflection of our experience, which was a really fun time.
Bookings are recommended as sessions do book out in advance. With so many things in Queenstown being centred around fine weather, this is an ideal wet weather activity for the whole family.
You can find out more about Below Zero Ice Bar on their website.
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