Barceloneta beach has rarely been regarded as the proper place for ice sculpture, and rightly so: it’s a beautiful beach, after all. Ice Bar BCN has for some reason sought to rectify this perception, and so provides an enclosed environment in which the temperature is set at 8 degrees Celsius. Upon arrival, punters are sensibly invited to swap their swimming shorts for winter coats and mittens. Once inside, the bar staff-who surely have the strangest jobs in Barcelona—serve Heineken and spirits to a chilled clientele, who are free to huddle about and enjoy the impressive collection of ice sculptures, and, presumably, discuss the weather.

These temperatures don’t come cheap—entrance is €15 per person (including one drink—but don’t be surprised to see queues ’round the block on a typically scorched August afternoon, when the Ice Bar offers much invited relief from the sweltering surroundings.