Stavanger
With all the decorative chic of a well-worn living room – complete with book-lined shelves, retro floor-lamps and old wallpaper – this lovely coffee bar…
Must-see nightlife in Scandinavia
Tampere
If only every Finnish town could have a bar like this one. Friendly staff, great music on the sound system, highly drinkable beers on tap (try the Nordic…
Malmö
Have a mosey around the warren of atmospheric rooms here before you bag your table, or head out to the pretty patio. This is a serious-about-coffee cafe…
Trondheim
Long before its latest makeover, mustard-yellow Cafe Løkka was a boat-repair workshop. It now carries a good range of beers, on draught and in bottle, and…
Uppsala
Occupying a big 'ole mansion by the river, Flustret is Uppsala's most enduring nightclub/party venue, though it sounds a lot hotter than it actually is…
Örebro
This luxe manor house on its own island in the river is Örebro's coolest nightclub hang. Rumour has it the place even has its own secret society. Dress to…
Reykjavík
At one of Reykjavík's best late-night dance clubs DJs lay down reggae, electronica and pop upstairs, and a dark deep house dance scene in the basement…
Örebro
Part bar, part restaurant, part nightspot, this excellent multipurpose venue is a sure bet whether you're looking for casual dining, drinks with friends…
Småland
Thirsty? This bar is almost obscenely decorated with shelf after shelf of every imaginable brand of beer, some 700 varieties, plus a choice of 120…
Copenhagen
A firm favourite among Copenhagen's beer aficionados, Taphouse serves up drafts from an incredible 61 taps. Its ever-changing selection is one of the…
Vesterbro & Frederiksberg
Just off hip Vesterbro's main strip, this speakeasy cocktail bar serves up expertly crafted creations (from 80kr to 160kr). Alongside the classics are…
Nørrebro & Østerbro
A smashing, multilevel place attracting one of the largest, coolest, most relaxed crowds in Copenhagen. Live acts focus on alternative or upcoming indie…
Copenhagen
Democratic Coffee is not your typical library coffee shop, and it's not just for students: it's popular with locals and tourists alike. The long wooden…
Vesterbro & Frederiksberg
Worn floorboards, mismatched vintage chairs and a grown-up crowd give Falernum a deliciously snug, familial air. You'll find around 40 wines by the glass…
Vesterbro & Frederiksberg
Serious local beer fans flock to this cosy, candlelit basement bar. Its 24 taps pour an ever-changing cast of in interesting craft brews, both traditional…
Nørrebro & Østerbro
This now-classic brewery kick-started the microbrewing craze more than a decade ago. While its in-house restaurant serves a decent lunchtime burger as…
Copenhagen
A snug basement hideaway speckled with sheepskin throws and classic Danish design, CUB pours expert espresso, filtered coffee and French-press brews. Food…
Vesterbro & Frederiksberg
In a previous life, Mesteren & Lærlingen was a slaughterhouse bodega. These days it's one of Copenhagen's in-the-know drinking holes, its tiled walls…
Copenhagen
With its plush armchairs, chesterfield sofas and soundtrack of jazz and blues, you'd be forgiven for thinking your name is Don Draper. But it probably isn…
Copenhagen
Tucked into the corner of Gråbrødretorv, one of Copenhagen's most colourful squares, this art-deco-style bar features dim lighting and comfortable booths…
Copenhagen
In a snug, rustic cellar on Nansensgade, Bibendum is an oenophile's best friend. While the savvy wine list offers over 30 wines by the glass, always ask…
Copenhagen
If you have a weakness for crystal chandeliers (the originals from 1909), quirky murals and an open fire with your well-mixed drink, make sure this…
Södermalm
Half-price seafood, nonstop dance music and decks packed with sexy Swedes and drag queens make this former royal yacht a gay Sunday-night ritual (though…
Copenhagen
Electronica connoisseurs swarm to Culture Box, known for its impressive local and international DJ line-ups and sharp sessions of electro, techno, house…
Tromsø
Reputedly the oldest pub in town, and once the hang-out for salty fishermen and Arctic sailors, this is now the brewpub for the excellent Mack Brewery…
Helsinki
Dating from 1867, this grand bar-cafe opens to an outdoor terrace seating 350 people and has regular jazz, blues and folk music in the nearby bandstand in…
Vesterbro & Frederiksberg
Ancestrale wine bar is tucked away on a quiet residential street just off Vesterbro's main strip. Featuring exposed brick, candlelight and good…
Copenhagen
This gorgeous historic building next to the Royal Theatre is where Hans Christian Andersen and other writers, musicians and artists once gathered. These…
Punavuori & Ullanlinna
In Kaivopuisto park, this summer beach bar overlooking the sand and glittering sea is an idyllic spot to lounge in a deck chair or umbrella-shaded sofa…
Punavuori & Ullanlinna
Built in 1838 as a spa in the Kaivopuisto park, this pavilion was later remodelled in art deco style and has been fabulously restored with dazzling…
Turku
With freshly ground coffee, prize-winning baristas, a beautifully elegant interior and an artistic sensibility, CaféArt is an ideal place to get your…
Gothenburg
What’s not to like? This champagne bar has an idyllic setting on an inner courtyard with uneven cobblestones, picturesque buildings and plenty of greenery…
Oulu
Hefty timber beams and low lighting give this wine bar a cosy, atmospheric ambience. A rotating menu of 30 to 40 wines are available by the glass each…
Oslo
This atmospheric and amiable alehouse and microbrewery does a range of house brews from pilsners to Weissbiers, and also serves up some intriguing ales…
Vesterbro & Frederiksberg
Tucked away in a side-street cellar with only a small nameplate on the door, Duck and Cover is easy to miss; but make your way inside and you'll be glad…
Southern Jutland
A welcoming, all-day cafe-bar, ideal for daytime smoothies or good coffee, or evening wine, cocktails or microbrews. There's limited food (cheese or…
Gothenburg
This well-worn Swedish beer hall – the last remaining from its era – hasn't changed much in over 100 years. It attracts an interesting mix of bikers and…
The South
Vík's hippest hang-out is warehouse-style with grey walls, windows looking onto the brewing room and blackboards displaying 10 craft beers on tap. Hop…
Aalborg
It’s almost too beautiful a setting in which to get sloshed. Inside a 17th-century building loaded with timber carvings and stained glass, this cheerful…
Gothenburg
With ye olde maps of Scandinavia on the walls and a glassed-over beer patio with birch tree stumps for stools, this bar takes its Nordic beers very…
