ICEBAR by ICEHOTEL – behind Copenhagen’s new arctic gem

By Nina Bressler

Have you ever wondered what happens when you combine a passionate entrepreneur with the majestic Torne River and the frozen conditions of the Swedish north? Behold; the iconic ICEHOTEL in Jukkasjärvi – a hotel completely constructed in ice, which has drawn visitors from around the world for over 35 years with its unique blend of Arctic beauty and art. Now, another awe-inspiring venture awaits – the opening of ICEBAR BY ICEHOTEL COPENHAGEN.

Nestled in the northernmost tip of Sweden, the ICEHOTEL and its extraordinary ice design has become a global phenomenon, and 2025 marks the beginning of its expansion into Europe with the launch of ICEBAR. First up: Copenhagen.

WHOOPS WRONG ROOM!! by AnnaSofia Mååg. Photo: Asaf Kliger

Origin: Torne River settles in Copenhagen

On 7 November, ICEBAR BY ICEHOTEL COPENHAGEN opens in Strøget, providing a journey into the Arctic in the heart of Copenhagen. Fifty tonnes of ice blocks, sustainably transported and harvested from Torne River, will become part of this unique experience and, similarly to ICEHOTEL, the bar will change shape every year.

“Water is the cornerstone of our existence and this year’s theme, Origin, is a tribute to the Torne River flowing freely across borders. We invite guests to step into another dimension – shaped by ice, water and imagination,” says Marie Herrey, CEO of ICEHOTEL. Guests will be welcomed into a warm reception, given a cloak and gloves, and led through a lock introducing them to the magic of the Arctic, before stepping into the frozen bar area – promising a spectacular experience like no other.

Harvesting ice on Torne River. Photo: Asaf Kliger

The creation of an icon

The ICEHOTEL in Jukkasjärvi is, quite literally, the only of its kind. The idea was formed in 1989 by entrepreneur Yngve Bergqvist, who came to the area to ski but stayed for the raw beauty that defines the Swedish north. Bergqvist was enthusiastic about rafting and started a local tour business on the Torne River, a 520 kilometre stretch of water that connects Sweden with Finland. When the river froze during the winter, Bergqvist decided to sink his entrepreneurial teeth into another project by utilising the river in another – rather unexpected – way. What started as an art gallery made from ice gave way to ICEHOTEL and fast forward to today: a global attraction that has fascinated and accommodated hundreds of thousands of guests since.

The artist duo behind ICEBAR BY ICEHOTEL COPENHAGEN – Karl Johan Ekeroth and Christian Strömqvist. Photo: Asaf Kliger

A construction of ice and snow

Building the hotel is a process unlike any other. Ice is harvested every year from the Torne River in massive blocks along with snice, a mix of snow and ice, used for building floors, walls, and ceilings. “With the hotel born from and returning to water after every season, the harvest is a tribute to our natural conditions. It’s a challenge requiring flexibility, collaboration and harmony with nature,” Herrey adds. The hotel consists of up to 55 rooms, with 12 being unique art suites – forged in ice, with exclusive sets of art that have been purpose-built that year.

In addition to the seasonal ICEHOTEL, ICEHOTEL 365 consists of 18 permanent rooms made of ice open all year round. From classic art suites to luxurious deluxe suites, complete with private heated bathrooms and saunas, these rooms provide an experience beyond the ordinary. The hotel is appropriately equipped to withstand the arctic cold: snowsuits and boots, furs and saunas, along with a separate section with warm hotel rooms and cabins that ensures warmth when temperatures drop.

Have a drink in ICEBAR BY ICEHOTEL COPENHAGEN – with glasses made of ice. Photo: ICEHOTEL

A living art exhibition

The hotel is a living monument of art – objects, sculptures and design will melt away when spring arrives, reuniting with the Torne River. “Planning, designing and constructing an entirely new hotel with such a distinct identity every winter is no mean feat. Every year, a jury selects a group of artists that will create ice art installations for the next season – applying their unique vision for a brand-new exhibition space that will be available for just a few months,” says Herrey. “The art plays a vital part of what makes this experience so unique: it’s a space completely forged by creativity and craftsmanship, constructed with one of our most fundamental natural elements in a pristine location in the Swedish north. It’s a combination you don’t find anywhere else on the planet.”

Photo: Asaf Kliger

Continuing the legacy

While ICEBAR BY ICEHOTEL COPENHAGEN is the first one of its kind, the concept is being brought to more locations around Europe. Herrey concludes: “ICEBAR is an extension of our fundamental relationship to nature and water. It’s about bringing the raw, pure experience of the Nordic wilderness into the world and carrying the legacy of ICEHOTEL forward – with the same pioneering spirit it was founded in.”