Copenhagen has an almost brand new opera house. I have an excellent view of it from my office, and in my opinion it looks like a very large hat that someone has placed on the horizon of the city. And though the inside of the building is quite stunning, catching a performance there is definitely in the more expensive category of entertainment.

Luckily it is possible to find offers of fine art such as opera and poetry elsewhere, and – might I add – at a more affordable price. In an abolished church on Møllegade lies Literaturhaus. The place harbours a variety of events from readings by national and international writers, poetry duels, discussions, opera improvisation and stand-up opera – both of which can be rather overwhelming experiences – to electronic ambient and presentations of new releases of classical music.

Listening to, or rather experiencing opera at Literaturhaus is very different from going to an opera, and you don’t even have to be a huge fan of the genre to be impressed and enjoy yourself.

The original reason that I know of this place is less poetic: the owner rents out the church for social events, and my friends and I rented it some years back for a large party.

Prices too are in a completely different league than the big opera house.

Check out the program on Literaturhaus’ website. Unfortunately not all of it is translated into English, but some is.

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LiteraturHaus | Art & culture, Music | Entrance up to DKK 150
Møllegade 7 | Nørrebro | +4533329818
Depends on the event

When it comes to street parties, Copenhagen is definitely on the top of the list of European cities organizing them. Starting from the end of April the various festivals take over the city, whether it’s just a block or one street, or, like when it comes to Distortion -time, the whole city. The official motto of the event is “Celebrating Copenhagen Street life and Modern Party Culture”, and it truly describes the event as perfectly as its name.

Since 1998 has Distortion been making the city party like there’s no tomorrow. It all started with just a one day -event “celebrating all fun and new in Copenhagen night life” , and has ever since widened to cover the city for five days, one neighborhood at a time. The party starts on Wednesday the 30th of May 2012 and it all ends on Sunday the 3rd of June at Islands Brygge for a huge chill -out event.

In 2011 there were over 157 dance floors and approximately 130.000 people attending, with over 285.000 visits. This is THE party of the year you don’t want to miss out on! So what to expect? Loads of all sorts of music and DJ’s, crazy amounts of people, fantastic atmosphere and five days of partying. As the Distortion -people say: “Behind all the arts & culture & society crap: Distortion is just a party – we want you to forget who you are and where you are – and to feel touched by the magic finger of Freedom”.

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Distortion | Bars, Music, Festivals & events | Free
Studiestraede 13D | Inner City | +4530255010
May 30th – June 3rd 2012

I don’t think the glass front with the crack over the door has ever been cleaned. The glass is so dirty that you can only just make out the name written in large black wooden letters: Drone. Inside everything is black except for where the paint has been worn off, and the toilets in the basement are battered. At some point someone, if not yourself, will spill beer on your shoes and the floor will feel slightly sticky. Who cares?

I don’t come here because of the decor, but because the DJs play excellent music.

The downstairs bar is lit by candles and panels with colored lights in the walls, there’s a small dance floor, and smoking is allowed. Upstairs there are chairs and tables and no smoking.

Drone calls itself a rock bar, and they do play some rock but also a lot of indie and alternative music, and the crowd usually looks more indie than rock.  It’s a mix of DJs and bands, admission is free, and prices are acceptable : beer is about KR 25.00, cocktails KR 65.00 – KR 90.00.

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Drone Bar | Bars, Music | Cocktail from DKK 65
Nørrebrogade 184 | Nørrebro
Thu – Sat 22:00 – 05:00

Copenhagen is a very, very good city for lovers of vinyl.

Several music stores have well-stocked vinyl departments, and finding stores with second hand vinyl is easy.

One of the indisputably best vinyl stores in the city is Route 66, where I have bought countless records. They have an excellent selection of new vinyl: not just the bands you already know but also underground music and local bands which the store releases on its own record label, Danish Vinyl Production.

The basement is filled with second hand vinyl, so happy hunting.

The window is packed with the newest releases and reprints. Be careful when you enter the shop, there’s a good chance you’ll lose track of time and spend far more time (and money) in there than intended, but that’s what happens when you stand alongside like-minded people shuffling through record boxes and listening to whatever the owner is playing at that moment. On vinyl, of course (CDs are not allowed into this particular store).

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Route 66 | Music, Shopping | Album +/- DKK 170
Fælledvej 3 | Nørrebro | +4535356560
Mon – Fri 12:00 – 18:00, Sat 11:00 – 16:00

One of Copenhagen’s best live venues, Loppen, is situated in Christiania. This is where I first saw Beck back in 1994.

And even though it a relatively small venue with a capacity of only 400, bands like Animal Collective, Smashing Pumpkins, The National and many others have played here, along with a long list of more or less unknown bands from all over Europe, UK and USA.

Loppen doesn’t have a narrow music profile, they throw concerts with everything:  surf, neo folk, death metal, punk, hip hop, dubstep, the list goes on. The atmosphere is intimate and relaxed, and you get really close to the music, very literally, because the stage is not much more than 25 centimetres above floor level.

Loppen’s motto is “Going out of business since 1973″, and interior-wise I don’t think much has changed since. Except for lights on stage and in the bar, the rest of the venue is lit by candles in empty vodka and beer bottles on little round wooden tables.

The name, Loppen, actually means flea. I don’t know why it’s called that.

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Loppen | Bars, Music | Admission fee from DKK 50
Sydområdet 4B, 1st floor | Christianshavn | +4532578422
21:00 – 02:00 daily

Copenhagen is definitely a city of music – all kinds of music: whether it is classic, rock, pop, world music, rap, opera, you name it, Copenhagen has it. In my opinion one of the coolest spots for experiencing music can be found in the side streets of Amagerbrogade in Amager – Amager Bio.

For almost 15 years this old cinema has served as a scene for great concerts and events, and it really offers something for everyone. Even the big stars have found their way to Amager Bio. The spring 2012 includes such names as The Gym class heroes, Jason Derulo, Shelby Lynne and many more.

They also organize concert for kids and sometimes special arrangements in the “Musiktorvet” -the music market -outside in front of the building. Tickets can be booked beforehand via their homepage. Even though the place is quite big (500 seats and 1000 standing), at least in the concerts I’ve been the atmosphere has been very intimate and warm. Highly recommending this one for all music lovers!

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Amager Bio | Art & culture, Music, Festivals & events | Concert ticket DKK 240
Øresundsjev 6 | Amager | +4532860200
Depending on event

This is it , you have found it – one of the cool, urban and little underground-ish clubs to visit. First mission is to actually find the place from the furthermost corner of the Kødbyen -area. The entrance is in an inside yard, hardly noticeable from the street. The club itself is situated in a low-roofed large room with black walls and a rather rough look with just pillars cutting the view.

But the looks aren’t the moneymaker here, definitely no. The thing people come here for is the awesome music and superb artists. During its existence in Kødbyen, the KB18 has hosted numerous of amazing concerts and clubs. My favorite so far has absolutely been the Swedish hip hop-star Adam Tensta. It was as if this dark, large, deserted space had suddenly had a soul inserted in it and it transformed to be a box filled with heart -bouncing, dancing urges-liberating, soul -warming, amazing music. This is IT, the way a music club should be and feel!

On the nights there’s no live music, the club transforms to be an Electro Club with varying themes. In addition to the superb music they offer a small bar with the basic Danish bar -drinks; beer, shots, some drinks and cider.

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KB18 | Bars, Coffee & tea, Music | Beer DKK 40
Kødboderne 18 | Vesterbro | +4533313933
Thu – Sat 21:00 – 05:00

Adventure or relaxation? They have it all! DGI -Byen is a home to all kinds of activities you can imagine -and right in the middle of the city. They are specialized in offering business-meeting/relaxation -combos, parties for companies and clubs and -of course- experiences to everyone.

This is a fantastic place for the whole family to spend a day doing what interests them  the most. Up for some action? Go try one of the cool sports they offer: water spinning, rock-wall climbing, scuba-diving, badminton, shooting or my favorite, bowling. There is also an inside rock climbing wall and jump towers in the Water culture -house, a certain high point for every teenager -kids family trip. It’s also possible to buy a training pass for a day to their well-equipped gym.

Tired of all the walking and travelling? Pamper yourself with a day in the Spa with loads of the incredible treatments included to the entrance fee. How does a long afternoon with sauna, swimming and cozying in front of a fireplace with a cup of good tea sound like? And if the relaxation isn’t enough to get your mind off the busy life, one can also book a massage to make the trip to DGI -byen absolutely perfect.

After all the action and relaxation is nice to have something to eat, and I recommend to go have a dinner at Vestauranten, the center’s own restaurant. Delicious way to end a perfect day.

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DGI -byen | Coffee & tea, Music, Relaxing | Spa entrance DKK 250
Tietgensgade 65 | Vesterbro | +4533298000
Mon – Thu 15:00 – 22:00, Fri 14:00 – 22:00, Sat 09:00 – 19:00, Sun 09:00 – 18:00

When you look at the picture with this article you probably don’t see a very nice place, right? Well, the picture doesn’t do Boutique Lize any justice at all! This bar is a very good option for a cheap and great cocktail.

Boutique Lize has had its up and downs. In 2007/2008, it was one of the trendiest bars in the Vesterbro neighborhood with many other bars and discos around. In other years, the competition started growing and maybe the line outside dwindled a little. But Boutique Lize managed to keep its clientele and continued to be a very popular hang out.

But what is there not to like? They have full house most of the time, so you are sure to find interesting people. They serve a great variety of cocktails at very affordable prices. It is located within walking distance from one of the most famous night clubs and venues in town, Vega. And if you are there early enough you may be able to sit at the far end of the bar by their cool jukebox.

But don’t worry If you don’t get that spot. Stand up, enjoy your cocktail, chat with people and have some fun. Let the night surprise you! And beginning the evening at Boutique Lize is not a bad idea!!

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Boutique Lize | Bars, Coffee & tea, Music | Mojito DKK 75.00
Enghave Plads 6 | Vesterbro | +4533311560
Wed 20:00 – 00:00, Thu 20:00 – 02:00, Fri – Sat 20:00 – 04:00

When you come for a quick visit to Copenhagen, you probably stick to the downtown area and its surroundings. But if you decide to go around Østerbro (and you should!), oh, how happy will you be. There you can find so much, from great restaurants and cafes, to a classy shopping street (Østerbrogade).

Talking about cafes (one of my favorites things in the city), Bopa couldn’t be left off my list! I’ve held one of my birthday celebrations there and it was a great party. Not only because they treated me so well, but also because we were served super good food and the night was a success.

This french inspired cafe is located on a cute square and offers more than just really good cafe food. Perfect brunch, live music and great DJs on weekends (see who is playing in the current month here). In the summer, their terrace is packed with people and you can enjoy their grilled meals (from the inner-yard).

I do recommend going around the area and finding out why Østerbro is one of the cutest neighborhoods in Copenhagen. While there, have a bite or a drink in Cafe Bopa, you will like it! Especially because you can get two for one: a cozy dinner and a night out, all in the same place! After 23:00, the cafe turns into a night club, how great is that?

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Cafe Bopa | Bars, Music, Restaurants (Cafe food) | Brunch DKK 109.00
Løgstørgade 8 | Østerbro | +4535430566
Mon – Wed 09:00 – 00:00, Thu 09:00 – 02:00, Fri 09:00 – 05:00, Sat 10:00 – 05:00, Sun 10:00 – 00:00