Södermalm
An old-school Hammarby football-fan hang-out, Kvarnen is one of the best (and best-loved) bars in Söder. The gorgeous beer hall dates from 1908 and seeps…
Must-see nightlife in Sweden
Stockholm
A Stockholm institution since 1862, this glitzy entertainment palace remains one of the city’s hottest party spots. While the gorgeous ballroom hosts some…
Stockholm
Rock stars need a suitably excessive place to schmooze, booze and groove, one with glittering chandeliers, ceiling frescoes and a jet-set vibe. This bar…
Södermalm
Valhalla for beer fiends, Akkurat boasts a huge selection of Belgian ales as well as a good range of Swedish-made microbrews and hard ciders. It's one of…
Gothenburg
Should you sip an imperial stout brewed with almonds, coffee and vanilla or a guava-infused saison? This is the kind of predicament Brewers throws at you,…
Gamla Stan
Intimate, sophisticated yet relaxed, Gaston is where clued-in Stockholmers swill in Gamla Stan. Sommelier Janni Berndt's weakness for hand-harvested wines…
Gothenburg
Channeling España with its moody Spanish tunes and Picasso-inspired mural, contemporary Juan Font loves a good Spanish vino. You'll find around 40 to 50…
Södermalm
Dressed in on-point shades of dusty pink and grey, intimate, laid-back Folii is one of Stockholm's top wine bars. You can sample any of its impeccably…
Gothenburg
Hip, loftlike Zamenhof incorporates three buzzing eateries and both front and back bars. The latter is packed with retro arcade games and pinball machines…
Gamla Stan
If a microbrewery releases only a couple of kegs of a rare beer in Sweden, you'll probably find one of them here. A holy grail for beer buffs, Tritonia…
Östersund
Jazzkoket wears many hats and changes them often: she can be a relaxed loosen-your-tie-after-work venue, and a sultry, stormy bacchanale on weekend nights…
Malmö
Smack bang in the middle of Folkets Park, Far i hatten is a popular summer hang-out that transforms from smart casual cafe by day into an illuminated…
The Bothnian Coast
The hottest watering hole in town with retro decor triples as a sophisticated bistro and a nightclub where you can knock back Tom Collinses while checking…
Stockholm
East is a bar, restaurant and club rolled into one. Great cocktails make it a bartender hang-out. Dishes have a predominantly modern Asian twist (locals…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Gothenburg
Decked out with Greta Garbo memorabilia, Greta's is Gothenburg's dedicated gay club, featuring flamboyant Tiki parties, DJs and other kitsch-a-licious fun…
Lappland
The original and best, with vodka- and gin-based cocktails served in ice glasses amid sculpted ice furniture. These days, Icebar is open year-round in the…
Gamla Stan
A friendly, atmospheric Irish pub (despite the name), Wirströms is a lively, sports-friendly bar upstairs and a cavernous series of seemingly endless…
Södermalm
Located in trendy Hornstull, Debaser is a Mexican restaurant, bar, nightclub and live-music venue all rolled into one big night out – it's a key draw to…
Stockholm
Consistently hosting groundbreaking DJs from Sweden and beyond, Slakthuset (The Slaughter House) is the centre of Sweden’s dance and techno scene. During…
Södermalm
An institution since the 17th century. Legend has it that military officer Jacob Johan Anckarström had his last meal at Den Gröne Jägaren (The Green…
Stockholm
Though it's no longer the super-hip star of the scene it once was, the Spy Bar (aka ‘the Puke’; spy means vomit in Swedish) is still a landmark and fun to…
Södermalm
With its soft orange glow, mini chandelier and decadent black-toned back bar, this cosy establishment pulls Söder’s 20- and 30-something party people…
Södermalm
In an old sausage factory, this kicking Söder playpen draws a boho-chic crowd. The designer-grunge bar (think chequered floor and subway-style tiled…
Stockholm
Solidaritet plays host to both Swedish and internationally renowned DJs with an emphasis on electronic music. The interior decor, designed by leading…
Kungsholmen
A favourite among locals for its laid-back vibe, the Lemon Bar epitomises the kind of comfy neighbourhood joint you can drop into on the spur of the…
Gamla Stan
Set in atmospheric 17th-century surroundings in the heart of the old town, Monks Wine Room has a well-stocked cellar with hundreds of bottles to choose…
Södermalm
Decked out in colourful furniture and delightfully busy decor, Bara Enkelt (formerly Bara Vi) is a popular hang-out for trendy 30-somethings who like…
Gothenburg
Channeling a retro Italian espresso bar, little Centro brews beans from Roman roaster Peru as well as from a rotating guest roaster (usually Nordic but…
Gothenburg
Slung with rotating exhibitions of local art, low-key, neighbourly Viktor pulls coffee geeks with its offering of Third-Wave brewing techniques, from V60…
Stockholm
A shiny new brewery in a shiny new part of the city, Nya Carnegie is a collaborative effort between Swedish brewmasters and New York City's Brooklyn…
Södermalm
The only thing better than cocktails is cocktails on the 26th floor. While Himlen's cocktails mightn't be Stockholm's best crafted, they do come with…
