UPON entering Koh Samui’s newest and most unique attraction, you could be forgiven for believing you will be sharing laughs and vodkas with polar bears or Eskimos.

That’s because of the temeprature at Bar Ice Samui, which is a cool minus seven degrees.

Already one of Samui’s hottest (and coolest) attractions, it opened its doors last March 15.

However, as management is keen to stress, Bar Ice Samui is not just about ice. It has three distinctive areas where customers can enjoy a freezing, chilly or warm atmosphere while experiencing the coolest vibes in town.

Located by the side of Chaweng Lake, customers are welcomed to a glittering star-walled, air-conditioned main bar area—a welcome retreat from those humid Samui nights.

It’s the perfect place to chill out with friends and enjoy all your favorite drinks and sounds. Adjacent to the main bar and the Ice Bar is a cozy landscaped garden area where you can share an intimate moment.

Management is keen to promote Bar Ice Samui as a truly unique experience and not just another bar. "First and foremost, we want people to have fun and enjoy themselves. Drinking from ice glasses is something that most people haven’t done, and for the Thais just to experience below zero temperatures is probably a once-in- a-lifetime opportunity," a management team member said.

Customers can create their own flavored vodka. Meanwhile, there are plans to introduce an outdoor bar where customers can enjoy their favorite cocktails served in their very own ice glass.

The three areas are likely to appeal to everyone, although there is a small cover charge to enter the Ice Bar.

There is a special promotion for Samui residents if they show their work permits or resident cards.

Bar Ice Samui is owned by several British and Thai entrepreneurs who reside on Koh Samui, Dubai and the UK. One of its partners, Scott Davis, said it took some time before the final concept was agreed upon.

"Many months were spent searching for the right location and even longer to find suppliers, products and materials suitable for this project. What you see today is the result of a truly international effort. Crucial elements were sourced from several countries, including Canada, the UK, UAE, China, Germany, Italy and of course Thailand. The dream was to create and be able to maintain the world’s best ice bar," Davis said.

Although the concept of an ice bar is not new, it is the only ice bar located on a tropical island.

For more information, visit www.baricesamui.com.