Relaxing & parks – All our local tips

Bolsjefabrikken is largely the reason why i wanted to write reviews about Copenhagen, because this has got to be on of the coolest spots in Copenhagen.

There are many like it all through Europe, but this one is ours.

Its the most fun in the summertime, because you can chill on the rooftops and play outside, but it is quite beautiful when its covered in snow in the wintertime as well.

The place used to be a Rumballfactory, (which is what Bolsjefabrikken means, though some people call it “The Candy Factory as well), then after it was shut down, the story goes that a rich man bought the ground and gave it to the young people, and then went into a coma, so they have it indefinitely now, but i’m not entirely sure if its just a tall tale, but its a fun story anyway

The factory is quite big, with both a large hall and a 2 story building, all of them filled with couches, bars and various art projects.

The art projects are the biggest thing at Fabrikken at the moment, seeing that they have workshops a couple of times a month, where people can experiment with different kinds of materials to create something to decorate the place.

They also have some projects for the crafty people with technical know-how, which includes making a kitchen and building bridges between rooftops, stuff that normally would be hard and boring, but the people at the factory makes it fun.

The many rooms are often used by different political parties for their monthly gatherings, and many other social organisations, so there’s always somebody at the factory.

They also have parties with musical performances and other kinds of entertainment, so when you’re in Copenhagen you should definitely check if there’s something going down at the factory.

And say hi from Tue

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Bolsjefabrikken | Art & culture, Music, Relaxing
Lærkevej 11 | NV
24 hours daily

Café Bartof has been described as the coziest music venue in all of Copenhagen, which is easy to imagine when you see the place.

As a bar it has a respectable size, but there’s not exactly room for a big band orchestra.

But that’s a part of the Bartof charm, there’s so little space, that the performers and the audience automatically create an intimate atmosphere that cannot be topped anywhere else.

Bartof also has a wide selection of different artists playing, such genres as : hillbilly countryblues, super bozza/pop and Irish folk/world, might give you a hint of the musical sprit of Bartof.

If you happen to show up on of the nights Bartof isn’t filled with jazzy delight or upbeat folk music, then you’ll experience a bar that quite simply is very cozy.

The word “cozy” is the closest thing we can get to the danish word “hygge”, which is something most danish people take much pride in.

“Hygge” is to relax with your friends, maybe chatting, maybe just enjoying each others company, maybe at home or maybe somewhere else, and that is the essence of the Danish spirit and the Bartof spirit as well.

Seeing that it is located on Frederiksberg, its a bit more pricey than other bars, but what the heck, you get what you pay for

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Café Bartof | Bars, Music, Relaxing | Beer DKK 21.00
Nordre Fasanvej 46 | Frederiksberg | +4538869067
Mon – Thu 11:00 – 01:00, Fri – Sat 11:00 – 03:00, Sun 11:00 – 00:00

Cafe Hacienda is located in one of Copenhagen’s central parks - H.C. Ørstedsparken just outside the inner city. Green lawns, a pond and two playgrounds. One of them right next to Cafe Hacienda.

So if you are are travelling with children and need to get away from the hustle and bustle, this might be a place to go. And if you are not travelling with children and need to get away from the hustle and bustle, well… this might be a place to go too.

The kitchen was seriously updated this year by the new owner and offers salads, various sandwiches including some very nice grilled variants, a quality burger, humus, tomato soup with pesto, smoked salmon and before 13:00 each day, a full brunch menu.

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Café Hacienda | Coffee & tea, Relaxing, Restaurants (café) | Club Sandwich DKK 79
Nørre Farimagsgade 6 | Inner City
May – Sep 10:00 – 20:00 (actually sunset during the summer months) daily

“Øieblikket” is an old spelling of the Danish word meaning “the moment”. Well chosen for a place that lends itself for some very pleasant moments on the Copenhagen harbour front.

The café is located inside the famous “Black Diamond” building housing part of the Danish Royal Library but has outdoor serving, outside the winter season. The café itself is nice, though nothing special, but with absolutely competent coffee and sandwiches. It is definitely about the location. Both the building and its surroundings.

The audience is a good mixture of tourists and local people. The Royal Library is a research library so there are often students with laptops. Next to the café, lies the Royal Library bookstore which is worth a visit, also.

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Café Øieblikket | Art & culture, Coffee & tea, Relaxing, Shopping
Søren Kierkegaards Plads 1 | Inner City
Mon – Fri 08:00 – 19:00, Sat 08:00 – 18:00

One great way of experiencing Copenhagen is by boat. Since many years now, there have been several operators offering guided tours of the local seaways (see below). They all operate out of the Gl. Strand area where you buy tickets and embark.

The city is built on and around the coastline, and going out to sea… to see… gives a different and interesting perspective. In many ways the guides offer a compressed introduction to much of Copenhagen’s history over the last 300-400 years or so. And good photo-opportunities too.

One good piece of advice is to bring sensible clothing if the wind is up, or there is a chance of rain. Otherwise you stand a good chance of getting wet. Nothing dramatic, just saying.

And also this: Apart from the guided tours, there is also a “water bus” product that you can use to get around. One/two day tickets, and you embark or disembark as needed at various stops around the greater harbour area. More info at Gl. Strand or here (two different operators): http://www.canaltours.com/dct/en or http://www.nettobaadene.dk/

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Canal Tours | Art & culture, Relaxing | Effective monopoly DKK 60.00
Gl. Strand | Inner City
09:15 – 20:00 daily

Din Nye Ven is directly translated Your New Friend. And this place is. The place is decorated in a very retro style with different chairs and camping tables which gives the place it’s quirky charm. The guests are mostly young people and very laid back and friendly. You can choose from different kinds of beer along with coffee and cold drinks. They even have their own beer called Din Nye Øl (Your new beer – but you might have guessed). According to fellow Spotter, Mette Walsted, it is very tasty and nice – and at a price of only 20 kr. a bottle, you can strech your budget and still have a night out!

Located in the very charming Latin quarter and with a monthly programme of great acts, DJ’s and art shows this is a great meeting point as well as the place to go for a night on the town. They even sometimes arrange ping-pong tournaments. Please check Din Nye Vens Myspace for special events and updates.

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Din Nye Ven | Art & culture, Bars, Coffee & tea, Music, Relaxing
Skt. Peders Stræde 34 | Inner City
Mon – Tue 13:00 – 00:00, Wed 16:00 – 00:00, Thu 13:00 – 01:00, Fri – Sat 13:00 – 02:00

Frederiksberg Have is great for a Sunday stroll in the snow – actually it’s great in any weather, but at the moment its just gorgeous! It’s a good place for looking at birds and apart from the ducks and geese wagging around everywhere waiting to be fed by strolling moms, dads and grandmothers with children, the beautiful heron is not an uncommon sight.

Furthermore, the park borders with Copenhagen Zoo which last year finished their new elephant house, built by none less than the world famous architect Norman Foster. Before this new elephant house appeared, only the smell of animal dumplings would let you know that you were near a zoo. But now with this new and wonderful initiative the fence has been removed and you can enjoy the sight of huge Indian elephants from your walk in the park.

I am generally not a zoo fan, but these particular elephants seem to really enjoy themselves – but who wouldn’t in a huge naturally lighted Norman Foster dome with private pool and thermal insulation? When you enter the park from Pile Allé keep left and walk for a

bout 10 minutes before you get there.

For more pictures of the beautiful elephant house, have a look here

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Frederiksberg Have | Relaxing, Snacks | Free
Pile Allé | Frederiksberg
06:00 – 18:00 daily

Granola is a very retro and very charming… café – or whatever. The place is 30’s style right down to the original industrial lamps and counter, well worn tables and terazzo floor.

The offering on the food and liquids side is basically café style and I want to mention the great brunch menu where you can either go for the full package or pick and choose between the various “brunch components”. Nice if you, like me, just want coffee and scrambled eggs and bacon with your pancakes. I mean, who needs orange juice and yogurt?

In addition to serving delicious coffee and cakes to the busy urbanites, Granola sells various high quality food products as well – teas, coffee – stuff like that. Which is why I am reluctant to just call café on Granola. The decor spells shop, industrial, Bauhaus just a little, maybe some drugstore in there too… oh just go and visit the place. It is very likable, indeed.

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Granola | Coffee & tea, Relaxing, Shopping
Værnedamsvej 5 | Frederiksberg | +4533250080
07:00 – 19:00 daily

Located in Frederiksberg right around the corner from the always buzzing street Værnedamsvej, you will find Kleistkaffe, a small and intimate cafe owned by Helle Kleist, author of a series of cook books on healthy food. Both the location and the name makes this place a little bit more expensive than the average café, but the good quality of food and coffee makes up for it.

The best reason to go there is the brunch, which is much better here than in most other places where i have tried my sometimes very poor luck with this otherwise popular late breakfast/early lunch concept. Tortilla, pancakes with syrup, brie, emmentaler, parma ham, delicious homemade rye bread, fruit, juice, yogurt and muesli with a mix of blueberries and almonds on top is what you will get for the price of 105 Kr. You have to order your coffee or tea on the side as its not included in the price.

Most of what is on the menu you can get “to go” as well. They offer a great selection of sandwiches, “healthy lunch”, salads and a soup of the day. So far i have tried their pumpkin and coconut soup with fried nuts and seeds on top and bread on the side – spicy and delicious. The place also offers all sorts of coffee, milkshakes, lassies, smoothies and so on. In summer the sun shines on their sidewalk terrace all during the afternoon and early evening – nice!

A tip would be to take a stroll up Værnedamsvej to feel the almost Parisian vibe of the street, then turn around the corner to sit down for a nice brunch at Kleistkaffe. And last but not least breathe in the fresh air in Frederiksberg Have (see the Frederiksberg Have article) at the end of Frederiksberg Allé.

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Kleistkaffe | Coffee & tea, Relaxing, Snacks | Brunch DKK 105
Frederiksberg Allé 12 | Frederiksberg | +4520613163
10:00 – 17:00 daily

Paludans Bog & Café is located in the inner city amidst the Latin quarter and the main pedestrian shopping streets. And, appropriately, right opposite to the university main building and the University Library building from 1861 (and still in service for the political science people).

The café serves beer and wine, but the emphasis is on high quality teas and coffee – all acquired from Fair Trade suppliers. So if you are a supporter of the Fair Trade concept, the feel-good factor should kick in here. The menu is limited to soup, buns with (good) cheese or ham and one or two cakes.

The place is fairly large and loaded with books, being, as it is, a hybrid (proper) book store and café. The book store sells both new and used books and was already well established before the café was created in 2001. It is now a tradition, that on Thursdays at 17:00, an author, poet or other literary person comes to the café and recite, chair a debate or something. These sessions are mostly in Danish though.

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Paludans Bog & Cafe | Art & culture, Coffee & tea, Relaxing, Snacks
Fiolstræde 10-12 | Inner City | +4533150675
Mon – Fri 10:00 – 18:00, Sat 10:00 – 17:00

The beautiful Rosenborg Castle lies in the middle of the King’s Gardens – a very popular spot where Copenhageners play soccer, eat pizza, drink beer, read books, draw, play with their children and generally have a good time. Unfortunately the garden is a little too popular for its own good and often the lawns are packed with people. One of the gates of the garden is directly opposite the cinemateque and you can enjoy yourself and some lunch or dinner in the park before catching a movie.

The Gardens are well kept and groomed, but in a relaxed and natural way that doesn’t make sitting in them feel like vandalism. In spring and summertime, the Garden’s are overflowing with purple and pink flowers, the grass is green and the copper beeches give great shelter if it’s a little windy.

But if you’re already enjoying the King’s Gardens, you might as well visit the castle and see the spectacular crown jewels. The Castle is now a museum that holds some of Denmark’s greatest cultural treasures, so go see them while you’re there.

Whether you want to go inside the castle or not, it’s very beautiful to behold. If you’re not the restaurant/café type, bringing your lunch into the gardens is a great idea. You can sit on the grass or one of the benches and just hang out, while looking at this little fairytale castle in the middle of the city. It’s SO Copenhagen!

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Rosenborg | Art & culture, Relaxing | Entrance DKK 90.00
Øster Voldgade 4A | Inner City | +4533153286
Tue – Sun 11:00 – 16:00

I stumbled upon this place by the end of a lazy saturday morning drifting along Istedgade, shopping bags in hand and ready for a hot well-brewed coffee.

It doesn’t have a name yet, and the friendly, laid back owners of this daytime coffee-shop, night time bar, do not seem to be in a real hurry to get one either. In fact everything about this place seems like its done in a pace that is just nice and chilled, perfect for more or less hungover days in Vesterbro.

It has a warm feeling to it, letting you know that it’s all about the people who come there and not so much about trying to be anymore than what it is – a “coffee bar”. Leftover wall paper illustrations from the previous Hansen ice cream shop and their own blue zebra artwork gives you the impression that all of it was just always here. Even the two gaming machines Donkey Kong and Donkey Kong Junior fit in perfectly and adds to the feeling of a place that is very “real”…less neat, more Vesterbro.

So tell your friends, and stop by Enghave Plads for your coffee or beer. It’s that little purple place…

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Stumbled upon… | Bars, Coffee & tea, Music, Relaxing | Large latte DKK 30
Enghave Plads | Vesterbro
Mon – Fri 09:00 – 23:00, Sat 10:00 – 00:00, Sun 10:00 – 18:00

Ever wanted to run with the locals? For free? In Copenhagen? On a Sunday? In the winter? This is the tip for you!

Every Sunday from November until May you can participate in Spartas free Sunday running practice. It’s part of the programme before the Nykredit Copenhagen Marathon 2010. As many as 1.000(!) people join in on Sundays where you meet up at Østerbro Stadium at 09:30.

You run in groups according to your pace with pace keepers to get you moving. Come a little early if you’re not sure what group to follow. The pace keepers are all every friendly and experienced runners, so they can help you out.

The fastest pace keepers run 4:10 km/min. and the slowest pace keepers run 6:30 km/min. They run from 13 to 30 km, but see the programme on the website to find out what they run on the date you have in mind.

The best part of this event – other than it’s free and a great workout – is that the atmosphere is very positive and happy. Come and see for yourself.

You can see the programme and the routes on the Nykredit Copenhagen Marathon website. And who knows – maybe you’ll be back to join us in the marathon…..

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Sunday running practice | Relaxing, Festivals & events | Free
Østerbro Stadion | Østerbro
Sun 09:30

There are so many activities at this place, so this review will mostly be a run through:

Some basic information: The place is located in one of the hip quarters of Copenhagen called Nørrebro, the bar is quite new, and located amongst shawarma stands and ethnic shops.

The bar is owned by an Irishman, which also explains why it is named after a Latin quarter in Dublin.

During the day the place is a cozy café where you can drink your coffee and have one of their many sandwiches and wraps.

It is decorated with contemporary art, which is replaced regularly, which gives the place a very lively character.

Besides the decorations, the bar also has a very casual look, with old couches and big chairs for relaxing.

On the upper floor there are pin-ball machines, pool and of course : Fussball.

2 Wednesday nights a month is Quiz Nights, which is jolly good ole family friendly fun with a prize for the winner, and a good time for everyone.

There is also Stand-up on Wednesday nights, but its in danish, so would probably be a confusing experience for people coming from other countries.

Another activity is Café Scientifique, which is a intellectual forum where anyone can join in, the concept hails from Paris, but now thrives in many places in Europe, it is not placed on a specific night, so an idea would be to ask the employees when the next meeting is, oh and its free.

Final information : the bar is divided into a smoking and a non-smoking section, so everyone is welcome

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Temple Bar | Bars, Coffee & tea, Relaxing | Beer DKK 21.00
Nørrebrogade 48 | Nørrebro
Sun – Wed 13:00 – 01:00, Thu 13:00 – 03:00, Fri – Sat 13:00 – 05:00