Braving the Elements, Cocktail in Hand

             Winter is well and truly upon us and why I felt the need to subject myself to a bitter 23 degrees Fahrenheit (-5 degrees Celsius) when the current weather outside is biting enough as it is, is unknown to me. I suppose I am always on the search for novelty and ICEBAR by ICEHOTEL London certainly is novel. For the rest of this review, I will try to refrain from cheesy jokes referencing how I was “chilling” in ICEBAR or how the crowd was hardly “frosty,” but for now, just indulge me and believe me when I say that ICEBAR was indeed very, very “cool” – figuratively and, perhaps more obviously, literally.

             ICEBAR claims the title of the United Kingdom’s only permanent ice bar. Tucked away on Heddon Street, about halfway between Oxford Circus and Piccadilly Circus, ICEBAR is a well-secluded luxury that can be discovered only by those looking for it. Upon first entry, I was lulled into that false sense of security that comes with hanging heaters and inviting seats. If a cold climate isn’t your thing, the lounge area sells drinks without the added frigidity that ICEBAR offers and the much cozier restaurant situated downstairs serves European cuisine.

             After gathering tickets with my friend, who agreed to come along for the rather unusual expedition, we waited until it was our time to enter ICEBAR. A surprisingly long line started to form of apprehensive adventurers waiting their turn to embark on an unforgettable excursion. Staff members cloaked us in arctic blue thermal capes with white fur trim with a single swoop over our heads. Looking magical and mystical, we stepped into our ice kingdom.

             The cost of our tickets came to 16 pounds each, not a bad price considering it included a 40-minute session within the bar (trust me, you probably wouldn’t want to stay longer), a cocktail of choice, and how can I forget the fetching robe with attached gloves to help endure the shocking environment. I recommend booking online, because ICEBAR operates by sessions and there’s no telling if you would be able to get in by just purely showing up on a whim. Prices also vary depending on what time and day you decide to go. A champagne session is also available for those of you looking for a more opulent way to warm up.

             The bar itself was crisp and bright, modernly harsh and angular. The space was rather contained, but with attendees not in short supply, it mimicked the atmosphere of a well-established bar. The bar vastly lived up to its namesake; the tables, chairs, walls, bar, and even the cocktail glasses were chiseled to glacial perfection and undeniable “blueness.” I chose a cocktail with a lingering aftertaste of lychee, passion fruit, and lemon juice and sipped it dutifully from my square elongated ice cube of a glass. The more I sipped, the more the warmth of my breath managed to wear away its transient nature to leave a mouth-shaped groove in its side.

             The bar blared funky soul and smooth jazz overhead, which was rather quirky, but somehow appropriate. Before you envision people slipping and sliding around the floor showing off their dance moves, ladies will be glad to hear that heels are permitted due to the non-slip metal, not ice, floor. I felt rather uncoordinated in my hooded fashion statement as I balanced my camera in one reluctantly ungloved hand and my cocktail in the other. The hooded garment actually equalized everyone in the bar, taking the focus off appearances and turning it towards enjoying the atmosphere. A maximum capacity of 60 people inside ICEBAR already makes it unique compared to the sardine level of compaction in typical bars and pubs in London during weekends. Little nooks and crannies in ICEBAR allow guests to hide away with the group they came with, while exposed areas leave room for mingling.

My friend, Catherine, beaming despite her polar surroundings    

             The slivers, shards, and slabs of precisely carved and sculpted Torne River ice are gathered from Jukkasjärvi in Northern Sweden. Each autumn, ICEHOTEL’s experts use chisels and chainsaws to construct an entirely new design different to that from the previous year. The current theme, “Frozen Architecture,” was devised by Jens Thoms Ivarsson and Mikael “Nille” Nilsson. ICEBAR might not become a frequent haunt, but it is certainly worth at least one trip for memorability’s sake. The bar is open all-year round, so no matter what the season, you are in for an extreme voyage that, while it might come as a shock to the system, good drinks, great company, and even better outerwear (ahem) more than help to soften the blow.

             Plan your visit to ICEBAR here.

Five-Star Freemasonry

             One weekend every September, London opens up more than 700 buildings to the public that are not normally available for viewing. There are no entrance fees, but some of the more popular locations attract long lines. With so many choices available, it’s important to visit the London Open House website to peruse the structures and their opening times beforehand. This past September, I ended up in a rather unexpected place, but I quickly learned that it wasn’t necessarily a bad thing.

             Drenched and roaming central London, I went in search of a Greek Masonic Temple located on Liverpool Street. Glancing down at my phone, my navigation tool told me that I had “arrived at the destination.” After scanning my surroundings and peering across the street, I could not see anything that resembled a temple. With my umbrella barely holding on, I decided to seek some shelter in a hotel. I soon discovered I had stepped foot in the lavish five-star hotel “Andaz.” As I was taking in the modern architecture of the spacious lobby, a sign caught my eye. It read, “London Open House.” A woman asked me if I needed any help and I tentatively asked, “Have I come to the right place to see the Masonic Temple?” She nodded her head and directed me down a corridor. Apparently I was in the right place after all.

             Rounding several corners and consulting with several people, the Temple was certainly tucked away, secretively placed underneath the grandeur of the hotel. Even the people who guided me adopted a hush-hush tone, nodding and murmuring with reverent mystique. I knew when I had reached the Temple as it provided a stark contrast to the clean lines of the hotel. A marble staircase spiraled down into a pool of black and white checkered floor. Dim-lit candles circled the space, flooding the room with a sinister glow. Rows of chairs clad in purple faced each other. However, my eyes immediately locked on two regal chairs positioned at opposite sides of the room. A gold sunburst illuminated the ceiling, its rays pouring down over the visitors.

             The “Andaz,” housed in an 1884 redbrick Victorian building, was originally a London railway hotel dubbed the “Great Eastern.” The hotel was built in 1912 by Charles Barry Jr., son of the architect who designed the Houses of Parliament. The Temple was only discovered when the fake wall concealing it was knocked down. It is rumored that Jack the Ripper was a Mason and if he was, he would have attended this temple, due to its proximity to his hunting ground. The Temple contains 12 different types of Italian marble and the throne-like chairs are made from mahogany. The decadent interior of marble and mahogany was built for £50,000, which is the same as about £4 million today, while the black and white checkered marble floor is currently worth £2 million. 

             My visit to the Masonic Temple provided me with insight into the “invisible” side of London. Clearly concealed from the public eye, the Temple remains unknown, an elusive underground spectacle. The sheer secretiveness of the Temple makes it all the more alluring. Although the temple is designated within the hotel, the hotel owners have no rights over the temple’s usage. A hidden gem like the Masonic Temple causes me to realize that there are so many treasures just waiting to be discovered in London if we choose to unearth them.

             The Masonic Temple and the accompanying hotel perfectly represent how two vastly different worlds can coincide in a blend of the new and the old. Upon learning that the Masonic Temple didn’t have a listed London address for many decades until recently, I had to give myself a reality check. This is my London, the London I live in, the London I am becoming more acquainted with every day. Most people go to the movies or go shopping on the weekends, but instead I was discovering an unusual spectacle in this endlessly fascinating city.

             However unpleasant tromping around the streets of London might have been on a dreary and dismal day, the Masonic Temple was worth the wet hair and the soaking clothes. Another thing I noticed as the rain poured down was that I was immersed in stereotypical London. Whenever I have told friends that I live in London, or even England in general, they always manage to bring up the poor weather. I never fail to find this particularly amusing. The rain in no way dampened my spirits as I set out on my trek to find the Masonic Temple. If anything, it only added to my overall journey. I came to the realization that come rain, come shine, I still absolutely adore the city of London. The weather will never hinder my desire to explore, my desire to explore everything and anything that London has to offer. The Masonic Temple offered an eerie sort of shelter from the rain. Who knows if I would have even stumbled across my destination if I had not been trying to hide from the relentless British rain.

            My mission of the day had actually been to visit St. Mary Axe, more commonly known as the Gherkin. However, when I saw heads upon heads of people standing in a line snaking around long stretches of pavement, I knew I had no chance of getting in. Scrapping my original plan, I frantically searched my phone for other available places to visit. That’s when I discovered the Masonic Temple. Yes, the Gherkin might be incredibly well known and I am sure it offers a spectacular view from the top, but I am more pleased that I ventured to someplace a little off the beaten track. I feel that is where the true heart of London lies.

            For 2013, London Open House will be held on September 21st and 22nd. For more information, visit here.