India’s first permanent bar made of ice, 21 Fahrenheit, has opened up in Oshiwara, just yards from the Mega Mall. The bar is kept at minus 6 degrees Celsius all year round.

It will just set you back a mere Rs 750 to enter, and an alcoholic cocktail in an ice glass comes included along with the warm moon boots and a thick insular Parka jacket and gloves, to keep you warm inside.

A bartender in a similar coat serves guests, while house and hip-hop music plays.

The lounge is the first in the world to serve delicious, steaming hot cuisines in freezing temperatures and on plates made of ice. The tasty fare comes accompanied by distinctive cocktails and mocktails

21 Fahrenheit was created by three Indian partners, Vaibhav Tandel, Aalok Purohit, and Harshan Dharmadas. All three previously managed the Chill Out Ice Bar in Dubai, which was opened in 2007, by the Sharaf Group. They have now quit and started their own hospitality business, Hyacinth Lifestyle, in Mumbai.

The 820 square foot bar holds 45 people. Tandel said, “We only expect people to stay inside for 30 minutes. The bartenders also rotate. Ice bars have to be small so people feel cosy inside them. Huge ice bars have failed so far.”

“Often ice bars open for three or four months and then they close down because it’s just a gimmick. It’s very important to make sure that doesn’t happen. But we will change the interiors every three to six months. The whole beauty of ice is that you can do that. And our service will be second to none. We want people to remember it,” he added.

There are three ice bars outside India but 21 Fahrenheit is unique as it serves hot food also.

Tandel admits ice bars can lead to soaring electricity bills, but says the system he has chosen is “energy efficient”. He adds, “In case there is a power cut, we have a backup generator and besides, it takes three to four days for the ice to melt.”

The company has an expertise in developing concept-based restaurants globally. They are keen to use this experience to ensure 21 Fahreinheit remains Mumbai’s coolest nightspot.

Oohh Cheers !

21 Fahrenheit Ice Bar in Mumbai (Bombay), India