Entertainment in Sweden
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Slagthuset
The massive (8500-sq-m) 'Slaughterhouse' entertainment complex lies north of the train station. There are restaurants and bars here, and a nightclub (around Sk90) until 05:00 on Friday and Saturday nights, with the latest dance tunes plus hits from the 1970s and '80s.
Bars generally stay open until around 01:00, clubs to 03:00, 04:00 or 05:00 on Friday and Saturday although some bars stay open late during the week; minimum age requirements (20 to 25) vary from venue to venue, and from night to night, so bring some ID. Entry usually costs between around Sk50 and Skr100.
reviewed
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Kungliga Dramatiska Teatern
The Royal Dramatic Theatre (Dramaten) is the grand dame of the Swedish stage, with productions ranging from Shakespeare to Strindberg in a lavish art nouveau setting. This is chez Bergman, where the famous director has been a driving force since the 1960s. Dramaten’s experimental stage, Elverket, pushes the boundaries with an edgier program performed in a converted power station. Ticket discounts include 10% for seniors, 35% for students and 50% for those under 25.
reviewed
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Berwaldhallen
Named after the Swedish composer Franz Berwald, this late-1970s concert hall is at the top of its game, despite being mostly underground. It’s home to the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra and world-renowned Radiokören (Swedish Radio Choir), and it also hosts the annual August Baltic Sea Festival, a classical music extravaganza featuring orchestras, choirs and soloists from several Baltic countries, including Russia.
reviewed
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Berns Salonger
While the drop-dead gorgeous ballroom here hosts some brilliant live-music gigs, Berns’ hottest drawcard is the intimate basement bar/club, Berns 2.35:1, open 9pm to 4am Wednesday to Saturday. It’s packed with hip creative types, top-notch DJs and art projections. Entry is via the Berns Hotel around the corner (Näckströmsgatan 8). Entry is by invitation only; contact Berns to be put on the guest list.
reviewed
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E
Olssons
While the retro neon signage, dark tinted mirrors, dancing pole and cucumber cocktail might allude to a kinky disposition, this Vasastaden favourite was actually once a shoe shop. The ‘video’ in ‘video bar’ refers to the Studio 54–style films projected onto a screen, which is easily upstaged by the hip young crowd, super-cool tunes (from retro to electro) and mighty red mojitos. Head in before 10pm or be prepared to queue.
reviewed
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Riche
While both bars here are hugely popular, the smaller Lilla Riche is the current choice of Östermalm’s hip parade. Buffed bartenders mix the drinks, skilled DJs mix the music and a tightly packed crowd of media types and celebrities flirt, flaunt and step on each other’s manicured toes. The adjoining Riche restaurant is one of Stockholm’s best for Swedish-Mediterranean cuisine.
reviewed
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Café Opera
Wannabe playboys and their glitzy girlfriends need a suitably excessive place to schmooze, preferably one with bulbous chandeliers, haughty ceiling frescoes and a spangly party vibe. This is it, darlings. In sharp contrast, the adjoining Veranden bar is a crisp white creation by architect trio Claesson Koivisto Rune and a favourite hangout for bartenders, meaning a mediocre martini is strictly out of the question.
reviewed
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Mosebacke Etablissement
This multifunction party palace is a thumping institution. August Strindberg once hung out here, the lofty terrace is a summer-night must, and the club nights are among the city’s best – don’t miss veteran Friday favourite Blacknuss, with its gospel/soul/R&B tunes. Theatre and cabaret also make the occasional splash, while regular live-music jams span from Aussie rock to Nordic indie pop.
reviewed
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Stampen
This one-time pawn shop is better known as one of Stockholm’s legendary music clubs, swinging to live blues and jazz every night. Past guests have included Swedish jazz great Monica Zetterlund, Woody Allen, and American blues legend Tino Gonzales, who rocked up unannounced one day, stepped up on stage and got grooving at Stampen’s free Saturday Blues Jam (2pm to 6pm Saturday).
reviewed
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Hotellet
Named for the hotel it never became, this split-level hotspot is home to blonde bombshells, impish brunettes and trendy studs with photo-shoot hair. There’s even a trés-chic garden by architect outfit NOD. Not surprisingly, the place has had its fair share of style mag coverage, which seems perfectly justified when sipping apple martinis next to the yummy Nordic eye Scandi.
reviewed
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Spy Bar
The former ice-queen of the club scene has reinvented itself. Gone are the reality-TV brats and stuck-up staff, and in their place is a mock-baroque look and chilled-out combo of media types and indie fashionistas for whom well-mixed drinks and smooth electro tunes matter more than Prada mules and sports cars. It’s not as cool as it used to be, and that’s a good thing.
reviewed
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Kvarnen
A cheerful mix of Hammarby football fans and Left Party former communists regularly packs Kvarnen, one of the best bars in Söder. The vast beer hall dates from 1907 and seeps tradition; beyond the scruffy old beerhounds and college boys, though, there are two slick bar-nightclubs – one red, one blue, both pumping. Queues are fairly constant but utterly justifiable.
reviewed
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Allmänna Galleriet 925
AG925 has all the ‘It kid’ prerequisites – an obscure urban location (ex-silver factory and anonymous facade), post industrial fit-out (steel-plate floors, white-tiled walls, Tom Dixon lights) and edgy art slung on the walls. While the bistro is mostly a hit-and-miss affair, the grit-chic bar never fails to impress with its well-priced, well-mixed liquids.
reviewed
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Lokal
Awarded Best Bar in Göteborg and run by the team from Publik, this effortlessly cool hang-out pulls everyone from artists and media types to the odd punk rocker. Drinks are inspired (think kiwi and ginger daiquiri), the pick-and-mix menu brims with fusion flavours, and music spans soul, jazz and electro. And staff donate 10% of their tips to a Cambodian orphanage.
reviewed
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Strindbergs Intimateater
Established by the great scribe himself, this small stage has seen many a Strindberg premiere, including The Ghost Sonata, Miss Julie and Svanevit. These days, the repertoire has broadened, with collaborative partners including Dramaten (Royal Dramatic Theatre) and the New York Actors Studio. Most productions are in Swedish.
reviewed
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Lady Patricia
Half-price seafood, nonstop schlager music and decks packed with sexy Swedes and drag queens make this former royal yacht a gay Sunday night ritual. Kick off at the legendary restaurant (book a month in advance), then head to the upper dance floor where lager-happy punters sing along to Swedish Eurovision entries with a bemusing lack of irony.
reviewed
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Södra Teatern
If it’s fiery flamenco, gypsy wedding tunes or Muslim stand-up comedy from London you’re after, chances are you’ll find it at this cultural hothouse, complete with lush La Scala–style theatre. Check the website for upcoming events, which range from live world music to erudite debates and the monthly exotica of club night .
reviewed
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Q
Bliss
Bliss boasts one of the hippest interiors in Göteborg, with low designer seats and slick contemporary tones. It’s a long-standing nocturnal favourite: if you’re not up to a main meal (they’re usually delicious; lunch Skr80, dinner mains around Skr200), you can nibble on tapas-style snacks and groove to live DJs until late.
reviewed
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Torget
For camp and Campari, it’s hard to beat this sparkling gay bar – think rotating chandeliers, mock-baroque touches and different themed evenings, from live burlesque to handbag-swinging schlager. The sparkly crowd is a good source of info on upcoming underground parties, so grab yourself a champers and chat away, sweetie.
reviewed
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El Mundo
Backgammon boards, Mexicana film posters and a bar made from pressed olive oil tins give this intimate hangout a sultry Latin vibe. There’s art in the closet-sized backroom, a friendly 30-something crowd in the front room and an indie pop club night every other Wednesday. The last Saturday of the month is IDYLL; a pop-electro gay night.
reviewed
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Kvartersbion
Stockholm's Cinema Paradiso, this quaint retro gem is run by just one man. He sells the tickets, works the projector and changes the reels. The limited programme focuses on new-release art house. Adjacent café Copacabana (669 29 39) is a favourite haunt for writers seeking their muse... or at least hot chocolate spiked with chilli and orange.
reviewed
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Solidaritet
If you’re into house tunes, here’s your new hangout. Some of the scene’s biggest names have manned the decks here, from Sweden’s Stonebridge, Sebastian Ingrosso, Axwell and Steve Angello to imports like Amsterdam’s DJ Santito of Sorobon party fame. The queues are long and the bouncers are picky. Good luck.
reviewed
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Mälarpaviljongen
When the sun comes out to play, few places beat this alfresco lakeside resto-bar for some Nordic dolce vita. Mixed during the day and mostly gay at night, it features bistro-style grub, a cosy glassed-in gazebo over the water and a darn good raspberry fudge cocktail. Call ahead for opening times, which are affected by the weather.
reviewed
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Tennstopet
Had there been a Swedish version of Cheers, it would’ve been filmed here. Oil paintings, gilded mirrors and winter candlelight set the scene for a loveable cast of wizened regulars, corner-seat scribes and melancholy dames. Watch the show with a soothing öl (beer) and a serve of soulful husmanskost.
reviewed
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Cocktail Club@Grodan Grev Ture
Hiding somewhat incongruously below a mock-baroque dining salon is one of Stockholm’s best party spots, Cocktail Club. Expect A-list DJ talent from Stockholm to London and Berlin (including Ben Watt, Alan Braxe and Eric Prydz), all working the wax and pumping out house and electro for Stockholm’s sweat-soaked club kids.
reviewed