Beijing Boyce

China World Hotel’s Ice Bar is slated to open from 8 PM to midnight on December 29, then daily from 6 PM to midnight until Chinese New Year (or it melts). I asked Danny Kane, manager of the hotel’s Aria bar, about the new place.

How big is the bar and how much ice will it take?

Ice bar is outside Aria and will be big enough to fit about 25 guests. It will take ten people about six hours to make and will take over 100 very large blocks of ice from the mountains.

What kind of experience can people expect?

A cold one - the concept is that you spend about 20 to 25 minutes in there. You will be provided with jackets and gloves. It will have very cool lights inside. Its a unique place to go and chat and literally chill.

[Aria's] Bruce [Li] and Johnson [Ren] are putting some very unique ice cocktails to fit. There will be music, drinks and some food.

What kind of drinks will you have?

We’ll have several options for guests. The “experience package” is RMB 180 and gets you two cocktails made from ice delights, Belvedere Vodka and Grand Marnier. The “Champagne experience” is where you sip on a couple of glasses of champagne and try some Harbin caviar and oysters. And the “ultimate Ice dinner package” includes pre-dinner drinks in the bar with caviar and oysters, then a warming five-course dinner matched with wine. If guests feel like a bit of fresh air afterwards, they can finish outside with Grand Marnier.

The drinks focus is on Moet Chandon, Belvedere Vodka and other products from Moet-Hennessy Diageo, which is the co-sponsor of the bar.

Are you guys doing this to save money on the coat check?

No.