Chillout Ice Lounge in Dubai turns 15 - in pictures

  • Chillout Ice Lounge, the sub-zero family attraction at Times Square Centre Dubai, recently celebrated its 15th anniversary. All photos: Antonie Robertson / The National
    Chillout Ice Lounge, the sub-zero family attraction at Times Square Centre Dubai, recently celebrated its 15th anniversary. All photos: Antonie Robertson / The National
  • To mark the landmark birthday, the venue is offering deals for all including discounted entry prices.
    To mark the landmark birthday, the venue is offering deals for all including discounted entry prices.
  • Ticket prices include rental of warm clothing, with the voucher fully redeemable on drinks and barbecue chicken skewers.
    Ticket prices include rental of warm clothing, with the voucher fully redeemable on drinks and barbecue chicken skewers.
  • Opened in 2007, Chillout Ice Lounge was the first of its kind in the Middle East.
    Opened in 2007, Chillout Ice Lounge was the first of its kind in the Middle East.
  • Spread across 213 square metres, and set at -6ºC, the lounge is furnished with sculptures, seats and tables made out of ice.
    Spread across 213 square metres, and set at -6ºC, the lounge is furnished with sculptures, seats and tables made out of ice.
  • Visitors receive a complimentary welcome drink when they enter. They can also purchase tea and coffee as well as a hot chocolate.
    Visitors receive a complimentary welcome drink when they enter. They can also purchase tea and coffee as well as a hot chocolate.
  • Food options include a selection of sandwiches, wraps and cakes.
    Food options include a selection of sandwiches, wraps and cakes.
  • The menu is deliberately small because food gets cold really fast.
    The menu is deliberately small because food gets cold really fast.
  • The chicken skewers.
    The chicken skewers.
  • More than 150 tonnes of ice have been used so far since the lounge opened.
    More than 150 tonnes of ice have been used so far since the lounge opened.
  • The attraction has hosted more than 600,000 guests since 2007.
    The attraction has hosted more than 600,000 guests since 2007.
  • The designs and patterns in the lounge are carved by in-house staff members who work with huge ice blocks.
    The designs and patterns in the lounge are carved by in-house staff members who work with huge ice blocks.
  • Sculptures last about nine months while the smaller ones last around four months. Touch-ups are done every 10 to 14 days.
    Sculptures last about nine months while the smaller ones last around four months. Touch-ups are done every 10 to 14 days.
  • A major redesign of Chillout Ice Lounge is being planned, which will be its first since it opened in 2007.
    A major redesign of Chillout Ice Lounge is being planned, which will be its first since it opened in 2007.
  • The intricate ice works.
    The intricate ice works.
  • Franchise deals for the lounge are also being considered, with new locations in other parts of the UAE and in Saudi Arabia on the horizon.
    Franchise deals for the lounge are also being considered, with new locations in other parts of the UAE and in Saudi Arabia on the horizon.
  • Furs cover intricate chairs carved out of ice.
    Furs cover intricate chairs carved out of ice.
  • The temperature inside is set at -6°C.
    The temperature inside is set at -6°C.
  • A shark sculpture at the lounge.
    A shark sculpture at the lounge.
  • A seating area in the lounge.
    A seating area in the lounge.
  • While visitors can stay for as long as they want, they don't usually stay for more than 40 minutes owing to the cold.
    While visitors can stay for as long as they want, they don't usually stay for more than 40 minutes owing to the cold.