Scotch Whiskey Bar at The Balmoral, Edinburgh, has the largest collection of Scottish whiskies in town.
Sky Bar at Jumeirah Grand Hotel Via Veneto, Rome
Travelers to Italy, take heed. There’s a new rooftop bar in Rome that affords sky-high views over the Eternal City. The Jumeirah Grand Hotel Via Veneto debuted the Sky Bar & Grill in August, and it’ll be serving up cocktails and barbecue (grilled meat and seafood) until October and re-open next summer. The hotel itself—comprised of two adjoining 19th-century buildings—occupies a city-central piece of real estate on Via Veneto; the Royal Suite has magnificent views from its terrace, as does the rooftop garden, overlooking the Roman walls of Porta Pinciana and Villa Borghese gardens. The Sky Bar is open daily from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m., depending on the weather.
The setting for Fellini’s movie La Dolce Vita, the historic property opened in 2009 after an extensive seven-year restoration project. Its 116 rooms—half of which are suites—are done up in Art Deco splendor. Facilities include a Michelin-starred restaurant and the top-notch Aqva City Spa.
SCOTCH—the Whisky Bar at The Balmoral, Edinburgh
When in Scotland…do as the Scots do and relax with a wee dram of whisky. And the place to sample them in Edinburgh is SCOTCH, the brand new whisky bar at The Balmoral. Recently unveiled, the signature bar has the largest selection of Scottish whiskies in town (400), and three Whisky Ambassadors on staff to point you in the right direction when choosing your vintage. These folk don’t take their job lightly; they’re dressed to the nines in Scottish garb designed by Kinloch Anderson, kilt maker to the Queen.
The bar itself was decorated by Olga Polizzi, the head of design for Rocco Forte Hotels, with tweed sofas and a gorgeous oak-paneled whisky cabinet. To complement your whisky tasting, a variety of snacks is available—including smoked almonds, dark Swiss chocolate, and wild boar salami. It’s also possible to order a full meal; The Balmoral’s Executive Chef Jeff Bland uses the finest local produce in reimagining classic Scottish dishes (like haggis). SCOTCH is open Monday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m.
Frost Ice Bar at Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Boston
There’s a cool new watering hole for revelers in Boston. Opened on August 30 inside Faneuil Hall, Frost Ice Bar is made entirely of ice—much like the popular ICEHOTELs in Sweden and Canada. Cooled to 21 degrees Fahrenheit, the bar serves up cocktails and non-alcoholic drinks inside cups made of ice. Prior to stepping inside, guests are provided capes and gloves to keep warm.
The design is particularly noteworthy, with a beautifully carved ice bar, chandeliers, plus customized ice sculptures from Brookline Ice Company. Local touches abound, celebrating Boston’s historic figures and landmarks.
Open seven days a week from noon to 11 p.m. Purchase tickets online or at the outside kiosk; entries are every 15 minutes with 45 minutes allotted for each guest. Eater.com points out that you can even bring kids during the day (until 5 p.m., when the bar becomes 21+).