There’s some seriously hot competition when it comes to unusual bars around the globe. The allure of having an unusual location, wacky décor or a unique concept is fast becoming popular in most major cities. The trend has risen in recent years as now, more than ever, people are valuing experiences and something a little out of the ordinary. We’ve rounded up a list of our top 10 from around the world that would be perfect to add to your next promotion or incentive travel trip.
| Floyd’s Pelican Bar, Jamaica | ||
| Three quarters of a mile out to sea lies a tiny bar made of driftwood, which has been rebuilt time and time again after hurricane season. Located in Parottee Bay, it’s about a 20 minute boat ride from the South Coast of Jamaica. Once there, you can swim in the waist deep waters and watch the dolphins from afar, drink a cold cocktail and relax in your own piece of paradise. A top tip is to make sure you don’t leave before carving your name into the wood, or perhaps bring your own flag for Floyd to proudly hang inside the bar? | ||
| Lagoon Bar, Iceland | ||
| A swim up bar in the middle of a Lagoon is as incredible as it looks. Without even leaving the warm waters, you can order your favourite tipple from wine and beer to an ice-cold smoothie. The best part is that you don’t even need to carry money (although I’m not sure where you’d put it?) as you charge purchases to your entrance bracelet and pay on departure. Obviously the other alluring factor is the Blue Lagoon itself, which has attracted millions of visitors since 1992. | ||
| Alux, Mexico | ||
| More than 10,000 years of history is hidden in an underground cave in Riviera Maya, ready for you to sip on exotic Mayan cocktails. It certainly provides a magical backdrop to an evening, as multi-coloured lights reflect off the cave walls, with chandeliers and candles scattered around the ceilings. They also offer VIP Vaults for 2-30 people, making this a great choice for exclusive and unique evenings. | ||
| Cahoots, London | ||
| Transport yourself back to the 1940’s with this unique ‘underground’ experience. With vintage cocktails served in milk bottles, tins, old mugs and even hip flasks, you can choose to sit in a reclaimed tube carriage or even on a bar stool surrounded by mismatched furniture. At the weekend they even offer two different experiences – ‘Cocktails, Cuppas & Cakes’ and a ‘Squiffy Picnic’, served with a tipple of your choice. It’s a brilliant spot to add to a prize package when visiting the capital for the weekend. Venture down to the underground. | ||
| Carousel, New Orleans | ||
| The famous revolving Carousel Bar & Lounge is a long-time favourite New Orleans hotspot. Take a spin on the 25-seat, eccentric circus-clad Merry-Go-Round bar. With regular live music and an extensive cocktail selection, it’s one of the must see places in this part of the world. Voted one of the Top 20 Bars in the World by Vogue Living, it lives up to its reputation as local classic beverages mix with all-time favourites. | ||
| Buza Bar, Croatia | ||
| What makes this bar so unique is the location and views. Nestled in the side of Dubrovnik’s Old Town walls, Buza Bar is Croatia’s best kept secret. I stumbled across this bar by accident in 2016, and I was so pleased I did. With chairs facing the ocean and overlooking nearby islands, watching the sunset whilst sipping on a glass of wine was one of the best parts of my trip. The bar itself is etched into the walls of Old Town, and the seating areas protrude from the sides for uninterrupted, stunning views. In recent years, Croatia has risen from a little-known part of Europe to one of the best places to visit for a long weekend, so Buza Bar is a great addition to this! | ||
| The house on sathorn, bangkok | ||
| They say you should never judge a book by its cover, and this bar proves it. This former Russian Embassy is nestled next to the W Hotel in the centre of Bangkok, and on first glance looks like a private mansion! But open the door, and you’ll step into a world of exciting nightlife. The bar is located in the right wing of the mansion, and you’ll find yourself in what looks like a very classy living room. It’s completely different from the high rise cocktail lounges of the neighbouring hotels. Instead, it gives you a feel of hanging out with friends at home, making it the perfect place to kick back and enjoy a couple of drinks. | ||
| Stereo Arcade, Dubai | ||
| Dubai has seen a rise in tourists and groups visiting to soak up the year-round sunshine, so for a bar to stand out means it’s something truly special. Dubai’s newest nightlife experience brings classic arcade games to life with an inviting atmosphere and funky décor. Neon lights and bright retro signs transports you back to the 80s. With 12 custom made machines including Pacman and Street Fighter, it’s such a fun bar to hang out with friends on the weekend. Just next door is the nightclub, so once you’ve started the night there’s a place to end it too. | ||
| Top Mountain Star, Austria | ||
| At over 3,000m this stunning masterpiece is perched on a narrow ridge amongst the snow-capped mountains. With glass walls, it provides 360° panoramic views of the Alps. The bar itself is encrusted with thousands of Swarovski crystals which only add to the glitz and glamour of this space. They even have an outside balcony which circles the entire building, providing uninterrupted views. This place is an absolute must-see if you are looking for a winter escape. | ||
| Fragrances, Berlin | ||
| Embrace your senses at this revolutionary bar in Berlin. Here, customers are invited to sample drinks based on popular perfumes. Make your way down the line to sample the different aromas to decide which one you would like best in your cocktail. Fragrances was the first bar to open of its kind, and with cocktail inspirations coming from the likes of Yves Saint Laurent and Giorgio Armani, your senses are in for a treat. You can even make this into a group activity, as a great alternative to a cocktail masterclass! | ||
Active create prizes and provide prize fulfilment for promotions and incentive travel programmes. If you need prizes for a promotion or travel incentive please contact us.
