Image by Mayra Lemos

When you come for a quick visit to Copenhagen, you probably stick to the downtown area and its surroundings. But if you deviate a bit towards Østerbro, you will not regret it. You’ll find a lot, 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 cosy 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

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Copenhagen

Image by Mayra Lemos

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

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Copenhagen

Image by Mayra Lemos

Zusammen is not just another cafe in Copenhagen. Is much more than that. It is music, events, food, atmosphere, poetry, conscience, kids, books, and fun! As you walk in, you see their red room, where they hold their music and alike events. There’s always something cool going on in this room. In the picture, for example, you see a show case of different Djs, that happened on a Saturday afternoon.

After the red room, you will come across the white room. It’s where they actually have the cafe and the kids corner. It’s just so nice! The clean, beautiful, bright room gives you peace of mind and you may actually enjoy the meal even more! I sure did!

They serve great food, even though there’s not so much to choose from. But the hole idea of the Cafe is worth the visit. They are located in the heart of Frederiksberg, very charming neighborhood of Copenhagen. So, location is a plus. Any surplus will go to Youth Red Cross Foundation. So, conscience is a plus. Their very nice kids corner is full of toys, books and more. So, kids are very welcome, another plus. Well, thumbs up for the hole concept of Zusammen!

Don’t forget to have a look at their web site for some of the events on the red room. You can easily combine food and great drinks with music, lounge, relaxing and fun. All in one place!

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Zusammen | Art & culture, Music, Restaurants (Cafe food) | Brunch buffet DKK 99.00
H.C. Ørstedsvej, 47 | Frederiksberg | +4522659161
Tue – Wed 11:00 – 22:00, Thu 11:00 – 23:00, Fri 11:00 – 01:00, Sat 10:00 – 01:00, Sun 10:00 – 16:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Copenhagen

Image by Elina Roivainen

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

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Copenhagen

Image by Elina Roivainen

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

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Copenhagen

Image by Elina Roivainen

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

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Copenhagen

Image by Massimo Fiorentino

It is my honor to write this article about perhaps the greatest venue of culture in this city, Jazzhus Montmartre.

This “jazzhus” (jazzhouse) has long, thick roots in the soil of Copenhagen. The club was originally opened in 1959, and during its existence, to the year 1995, hosted all the amazing jazz artists’ concerts from Webster Gordon and Stan Getz to Dizzy Gillespie. The club stayed on Store Regnegade till the year 1976 and on Nørregade till 1995. Since then the admirers of the late club have been eager to re-establish the club, and in 2010, their dreams came true when the original house of the first Jazzhus Montmartre became vacant again. With the strength of the volunteers and CEO Rune Bech, Jazzhus Montmartre is in its previous glory, hosting as magnificent concerts as in its past.

Concerts are amazing, the small, intimate club’s feeling intense and the food and drinks offered by their restaurant: mouth-watering! The restaurant even got five stars from Politiken, one of Denmarks most appreciated newspaper. Unfortunately one cannot dine at Montmartre every day, just the concert nights, and usually it is wise to book the table in beforehand. Many people like to come for a dinner before the concert and continue the evening with the greatest jazz artists of today.

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Jazzhus Montmartre | Art & culture, Music, Restaurants | Two course menu DKK 199
Store Regnegade 19A | Inner City | +4533329666
Wed -Sat 17:30 – 23:30

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Copenhagen

Image by Elina Roivainen

Just a 10 minute walk from the main railway station is absolutely the cutest cinema in the city, Vester Vov Vov. At the time the cinema was established (1975), there were plenty of cinemas side by side in the area of Vesterbro, but this one is the only one still standing. Even though they sometimes show some “mainstream” -movies, are they still considered as an art cinema. The movies are chosen with thought and they always have an interesting film to see. And the earlier showing you choose, the cheaper are the tickets.

For me, especially the Vester Vov Vov’s café plays a big role in creating the good, old cinema atmosphere: Cane chairs, big movie posters and checked floor, not forgetting the glass roof. They sell the beverages also to be enjoyed during the show, which I like a lot. And if you are lucky with your timing, during the summer they have outdoors cinema! Just remember to take (a phone with) a radio and headphones, since the voices of the movie are to be heard only that way in order not to disturb the neighbors.

Like they say in Denmark: god fornøjelse!

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Vester Vov Vov | Cinemas, Coffee & tea, Music | Shows after 18:00 DKK 80.00
Absalonsgade 5 | Vesterbro | +4533244200
Depends on film

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Copenhagen

Image by Frederikke Rode

Cinemateket is the only one of its kind in Copenhagen. This movie theatre doesn’t show the blockbusters running in regular theaters. Instead Cinemateket offers a wide selection of film classics, cult cinema, documentaries, short films and projects from the Danish Film School.

Each month has its own theme and different genres are represented in the program during that month. So if you have a secret passion for German silent films, you might as well go and see one while you’re in Cph. This December you can see films by Elia Kazan, some Spanish avant garde and a lovely Disney cavalcade. 

The last Friday of every month there’s a Friday Late Night arrangement. The theme is always music. The night begins with a film (about music) and afterwards the bar is open and a DJ starts the party. I recently saw the Tom Waits classic “Big Time”, so that serves an example of what kind of music movie we are talking about. In the basement there’s a Videotek where you can watch all kinds of movies made in Denmark over the years.

A good piece of advice is to buy and bring your own candy, because Cinemateket has a very narrow selection of edible goods to bring inside the theater. But maybe it is for the best not to be too tempted by enormous amounts of buttered popcorn.

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Cinemateket | Bars, Cinemas, Music | Ticket DKK 55.00
Gothersgade 55 | Inner City | +4533743400
Tue – Fri 09:30 – 22:00, Sat – Sun 12:00 – 22:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Copenhagen

Image by Mikkel Skjoldan Svenningsen

Copenhagen Jazzhouse is more than one thing. First of all it is, as you might have guessed, a jazz house. There are concerts almost every day. Mostly jazz, but also tango, soft rock and other genres are represented. Especially the tango concerts are fabulous, because people actually hit the floor and dance the tango. Both young and old, practiced and less practiced. Not just on the dance floor but in front of the bar and between the tables, people swing around like true tango alley cats.

Very different kinds of people come at the jazz house and the atmosphere is most often positive. People who come to the concerts are usually true lovers of music and it’s always easy to talk the ears off someone who shares your passion for some strange genre.

After the concerts, Copenhagen Jazzhouse turns into a swinging nightclub. Latin, acidjazz, soul, house and the likes of it is played and people of all ages come to sway their hips and flirt with each other. The bar serves good cocktails (definitely a decent cosmopolitan), excellent Danish beers and delicious wine. If you are not much into dancing, you can sit on the ground floor, where the music is not too loud. The ground floor has a bar of its own and conversations are easily made.

The nightclub opens after the concert and it is nice not having to bother with where on earth you are going to go afterwards.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Copenhagen Jazzhouse | Art & culture, Bars, Music | Concert ticket DKK 80.00
Niels Hemmingsensgade 10 | Inner City | +4533154700
Concerts Sun – Thu 20:00, Fri – Sat 21:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Copenhagen