BIZARRE BARS: 5 Very cool places to have a drink at

1. The World-famous Skeleton Bar

Museum HR Giger Bar: Gruyères, Switzerland






This odd-looking establishment was designed by Hans Rudi Giger, who worked as a designer on the Alien movies. It must feel like you’re somewhere in the Alien universe or inside the skeleton of a monster. In any case it’s very original and refreshing.

www.hrgiger.com

2. The World's Only Bar Inside a Tree

Big Boabab Pub, Modjadjiskloof, South Africa






Fancy a drink at the world’s only bar inside a tree? Than the The Big Baobab Pub in Modjadjiskloof, in the Limpopo Province of South Africa is just the place to go. it is world renowned for being the widest of its species and because it attracts more than 7000 tourists year.

The baobab is 20 metres high, 45 metres in circumference, sits 15 people comfortably, and is said to be older than the Egyptian pyramids. Shortly after Heather and Doug van Heerden bought the farm, in the late 1980’s, they discovered that the massive baobab tree was hollow inside. When a Baobab reaches 1000 years it starts to hollow naturally. This gave them the bright idea of building a bar inside of it.

3. London's Coolest Bar

Absolut Icebar London

Step into an environment where the walls, bar, tables and even your own personal glass is made of the purest ice. Absolut Ice Bar London is the UK's only permanent bar made of ice and is kept at minus 5 degress all year round. Everything inside is made out of crystal clear ice harvested especially from the frozen Torne River in Jukkasjarvi, Northern Sweden.

Absolut Icebar is operated in 40 minute time slots and you will be given a designer thermal cape with a hood to keep you warm during your visit. Every six months the bar is completely re-designed with a brand new theme to keep the ice and the design looking fresh.

4. The Highest Bar in the World

Cloud 9, Singapore




Cloud 9 is located on the 87th floor of the world's tallest hotel, the ultra-modern Grand Hyatt – making it the highest bar in the world. Cloud 9 is not easy to find - some obscure interior design law of the hotel means that they don't mark out how to get to it. Use the lift and let the discreet waiters at the top show you the rest of the way.

www.shanghai.grand.hyatt.com

5. The Best Underwater Bar

Red Sea Star Underwater Restaurant, Bar and Observatory

This amazingly designed restaurant is 5m below the surface of the Red Sea, with thick Plexiglas windows that give you an octopus-eye view of the surrounding fish, corals, and other creatures. The decor is fantasy oceanesque, with sand floors covered by a layer of clear epoxy; velvet, sea urchin cushions on the chairs; starfish lighting fixtures; and wavy blue underwater light filtering through the subsea pavilion from natural sources by day, and artificial sources by night. It may sound campy, but the details are so well done that the effect is enchanting -- you find your attention torn between the underwater vistas outside the windows, and the interior decor, overflowing with marine shapes and textures.

www.frommers.com