Archive · Design

Design themes

The bars were demolished and rebuilt to a new design on a cycle — the English pages say once a year, the Swedish press office said twice. From 2008 each rebuild got a name and a press release.

The themes

Jewellery — 2007 onward

Launched in London in April 2008, designed by David & Martin, formerly jewellery designers for Karl Lagerfeld, who were credited with turning the venue into something "sparkling." A Stockholm version followed in November 2008. The theme extended past the room: a quilted down tailcoat was designed and produced for Absolut Icebar Jewellery in 2007, and David & Martin also designed a silver bracelet for the brand.

Street Art — April 2008, Stockholm

The reopening of the enlarged Stockholm bar, designed by graffiti artists Daniel "Ikaroz" Diaz and Pierre "Slak" Johansson with ice artists Mark Armstrong and Mikael Nilsson. Read the release.

365 — April 2009, Stockholm

Described by the press office as "a new start with the 365 concept, offering sensations for all senses."

Factory — March 2009 London, November 2009 Stockholm

The most thoroughly documented rebuild in the archive. The room became a rough industrial environment: self-illuminating ice drinks, frosted cogwheels, ice pipework, and a conveyor belt carrying vodka drinks in ice glasses. The music was mixed to match — progressive electro over industrial noise and mechanical rhythms. Guests could watch a live camera feed from the ice store in Jukkasjärvi. The design drew on the factory buildings in Jukkasjärvi and in Åhus, in Skåne, where Absolut is distilled.

Aquatic — October 2009 London, April 2010 Stockholm

An underwater theme: ice periscopes, radar, cabin windows revealing sea creatures, staff in submariner dress. The site's line for it was "plunge into an abyss of cool."

Subzero — London

Undated in the surviving archive. Only the press-release entry remains.

Soundtrack

Less a room than a tie-in. A song called "The Icehotel," with vocals by Stacey Kent over a bossa nova arrangement, won first prize in the jazz category of the International Songwriting Competition in 2009; the site presented it as part of the Icebar Soundtrack alongside downloadable playlists.