There is a new addition to the Madison bar hoppers' list this year'only this one may cure that next day hangover.
The iO2 Caf??, 458 Gilman St., had its grand opening earlier this fall and caters to clients in need of a different sort of buzz. iO2 Caf?? specializes in flavored oxygen that customers inhale through different colored nose tubes.
While the oxygen bar concept initially gained popularity in the early '90s, iO2 shows that it is still alive and well.
'A lot of people are leery about the idea,' bartender Samantha Peterson said. 'There are a lot of people who feel it does not have a noticeable effect. Other find that certain flavors give them a boost for the rest of the day,' she said.
iO2 has a wide variety of oxygen flavors ranging from the standard orange, cherry and vanilla to eucalyptus, lavender and lemongrass. Peterson said that some flavors can work in unique ways.
'Anytime I have a headache I use the Eucalyptus, and it clears it up' she said.
While business at iO2 has been a little slow since its opening, Peterson said word of mouth has been getting around and the bar even has a few regulars.
UW-Madison senior and oxygen bar customer Emily Prock said she was satisfied with her experience.
'At first I was skeptical, but once I tried it I really enjoyed it. I felt that it opened up my lungs and helped me breathe a little easier,' she said.
In addition to the variety of oxygen flavors it offers, iO2 also has comfortable reclining chairs and a flat screen TV, giving customers an opportunity to maximize their relaxation.
iO2 is also connected to a neighboring salon, allowing customers to move back and forth between services.
'I like it,' said salon employee Karyn Wallick. 'It makes me feel more alert and clear headed.'
She went on to say that using almond-flavored oxygen for 10 minutes in the morning gives her that wake-up boost that many people find sorely lacking. According to the experts, though, this is a truly subjective experience.
'I know of no beneficial physiologic effect of breathing high oxygen in healthy people,' UW-Madison professor of physiology Jerome Dempsey said.
For those looking to try something new, iO2 might be your next stop. As part of its grand opening, iO2 currently offers discounted single sessions or month-long packages. A nose tube is also required and can be purchased for $1.
