Inside Edinburgh's first Polar Ice Bar with cool sculptures and festive cocktails

Katie Williams

29 November 2024 at 9:12 am·2-min read

Edinburgh first Polar Ice Bar has opened in the city centre as part of the winter festival.

The city centre has been transformed into a winter wonderland with George Street offering ice skating, the ice bar and the new Coorie Inn.

We took a look inside the chilly new bar to see if it was worth the hype.

Upon entering, guests are given a cosy jacket - and you'll need them as temperatures plummet to -8C. This unique pop-up bar experience created in partnership with Hamiltons Ice Sculptors and they praised for the amount of detail.

Not only is there a beautiful sculpture of a polar bear, but also a throne so you can live out your own Snow Queen fantasy along with castle walls. Paired with dazzling lights, the experience makes for an Instagrammable evening.

As part of the experience, you can head over to the ice bar where frozen cocktails are served in ice glasses.

Tickets start at £15 and include 30 minutes in the ice bar a a drink token. For £20, the ticket includes two drinks.

Unique Assembly, producers of Edinburgh’s Christmas said: “We are thrilled to present the Polar Ice Bar, a brand-new attraction for Edinburgh’s Christmas and the city that is guaranteed to get visitors in the festive spirit. Wrap-up warm and come join us for the coolest cocktail in town.”

Roddy Smith, Chief Executive and Director of Essential Edinburgh said: “The Polar Ice Bar will be a great new attraction for George Street. As a brand new concept for the city centre it will draw people in to experience something completely different, and then move on to enjoy a drink in our established ‘warm’ bars and restaurants.”

BuzzFeed
47 Ingenious Things Other Countries Have That Make The US Feel Like It's Living In The 1800s
Every single one of these needs to be implemented in every major US city!!!!
The Telegraph
These are Britain’s most desirable towns... does yours make the cut?
Do you live in one of Britain’s most affluent towns? The Telegraph commissioned estate agents Savills to use the latest census data to compile a list of the 50 places that scored the highest across several factors.
People
Groomsman Struggles to Tell Friend He Can't Afford the Nearly $4K Needed to Attend a Destination Wedding
"If guests don’t stay at the resort, they’ll have to pay an event fee — $200 per person per event," wrote the groomsman, who said the resort is $1,200 per night
The Telegraph
How a woman boarded a plane from New York to Paris without a ticket
An investigation is under way after a woman boarded a Delta Airlines flight from New York City’s JFK airport to Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris without a boarding pass.
The Telegraph
Wales’s big tourism problem
Proposals for a law that could see tourists obliged to pay a tax for staying overnight in Wales were tabled last week in the Welsh Parliament. Under the plans, local councils will be given the power to introduce a small “visitor levy” to raise money, but will also be free to opt out of the scheme – which is itself controversial.
Herald Scotland
19-storey student flat block approved on site of derelict Glasgow building
Plans for a block of 173 studio student flats on the site of the old Littlewoods Store on Cambridge Street in Glasgow have been approved.
HuffPost Life
Forget The Amalfi Coast. This City Is Italy's Most Underrated Destination.
Instead of going to one of Italy's more popular destinations, consider a trip to this stunning spot with incredible food.
The Argus
Bus company warns customers of online scam
Metro Bus has warned customers of an online scam which has been circulating on social media
The Telegraph
Why Americans don’t understand Cornwall
It is something of a paradox that Americans, the nation that loves Britain the most, are yet to have discovered the delights of Cornwall, our own favourite corner of the country. But this could be about to change.
Manchester Evening News
'A piece of my childhood gone' - Alton Towers fans 'gutted' by closure of iconic ride
It's one of three attractions closing at the theme park
Business Insider
It happened again: Delta passengers endured a 5-hour flight to nowhere, ending up back at JFK
More than 200 Delta passengers went on a flight to nowhere. Their Boeing 767 turned back to JFK after crew members saw a potential engine issue.
Good Housekeeping UK
From Japan to the Douro Valley, these are the best places for couples who love cruising
From European river cruises to once-in-a-lifetime long-haul adventures on the water, here are some of the best cruises for couples
Wales Online
Lapland Christmas trips cancelled because of a lack of snow
One family has described it as an 'absolute nightmare' as some holidays are cancelled
Wales Online
The Welsh retreat voted one of the best in the world by Conde Nast Traveller
Travel magazine Conde Nast Traveller has named the Coach House in Monmouth as one of the best as it "offers the perfect chance to release, recalibrate and renew"
CBC
Canmore tourism sector optimistic as major events shine spotlight on town in 2025
Canmore tourism operators are already optimistic about 2025, in part because of two unique events that will bring more visitors and attention to the Rocky Mountain town.World leaders and their delegations will arrive in June for the G7, which will be held in nearby Kananaskis. Meanwhile, Canmore will host the upcoming Hockey Day in Canada event in January."We have seen quite a few bookings come in for both events already," said Andrew Shepherd, general manager of the Malcolm Hotel."I see growth
Manchester Evening News
New Spain travel rule for UK tourists will have 'very negative' impact, expert warns
One travel boss has suggested tour operators will stop selling certain types of holidays
Euronews
'Expect delays': Schiphol airport chaos after storm grounds 135 flights
Storm Darragh is affecting severe travel disruptions at one of Europe's main airportsView on euronews
Yahoo Finance
Airline execs grilled on 'junk fees' in testy Senate hearing: 'Travelers are quite simply fed up'
Airline executives defended their business practices in heated exchanges with lawmakers over ancillary travel fees.
The Telegraph
A guide to ski holidays in Megève, France’s most famous medieval resort
Megève is a traditional winter sports resort, founded in 1916, that has attracted the rich and famous since the 1920s. Its clientele these days are still mainly affluent and French and are looking for an all-round winter holiday, not just pounding the slopes. If Courchevel attracts the flash new cash, Megève draws in the old money in spades.
Fortune
Capital One Miles: Everything you need to know in 2024
As a credit card rewards program, Capital One Miles may have too many vexing shortcomings for the average consumer—but a niche type of traveler may find it perfect.

Latest stories