Art & culture – All our local tips

You’re walking down Fleminggatan one afternoon. You think you could really do with a drink, but got no idea where to go. After all, you are not in the most exciting part of town. Fear not. Allmänna Galleriet is just a stone’s throw away at Kronobergsgatan. It is not signposted, so you need to look out for it. This spacious urban venue is a reconstructed printing house that hosts a bar section and a restaurant along with a gallery.

The bar has a fairly good selection of beers and wine and you can eat some light dishes such as oysters, olives or sandwiches. The lounge section with its chesterfield sofas is perfect for an afternoon drink.

The restaurant occupies a separate part of the venue, and offers a Swedish/European style menu of good quality at moderate prices. On Friday nights Allmänna Galleriet is overcrowded and the atmosphere almost a bit boorish. A far better option is to go here on a weeknight.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Allmänna Galleriet | Art & culture, Bars, Restaurants (Swedish)
Kronobergsgatan 37 | Kungsholmen
Tue 17:00 – 23:00, Wed – Sat 17:00 – 01:00

If you are not Swedish, Russian, Norwegian or Finnish, chances are that you have no idea what bandy is about. It’s a sport just like hockey but without the violence and with the same number of players and rules as field hockey. Sounds fun? Yes, it is, but there is one catch: it is played outdoors during the winter.

So, how is it possible that Zinkensdamm is regularly full typically on Friday evenings (or Sunday afternoons)? Simply because the game is not everything! In fact most of the time the fans don’t (and can’t) follow the tiny orange ball. The reason lies in the fact that bandy is more of a social event. Fans are allowed to bring alcohol inside the stadium where everyone is hanging out with their friends or just talking with strangers, laughing and singing.

And when buying the ticket keep it in a safe place, because during the break everyone leaves the stadium into the nearest bar for drinking a beer, more singing and warming up for the second half!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Bandy at Zinkensdamm | Art & culture, Relaxing | Ticket SEK 120.00
Ringvägen 16 | Södermalm
Fri 19:00 or Sun 13:15

It is easy to overlook this beautiful venue for contemporary art and head straight to Moderna museet when in Stockholm. However, I really recommend you drop by Bonniers Konsthall if you are strolling through Vasastan, to check out the current exhibition or grab a snack in the cafe.

The building, which is an airy and bright glass construction located right off St Eriksplan, is a pleasure to visit in itself. The artists exhibited at Bonniers Konsthall are generally young and upcoming and the foundation awards scholarships every year to new talents. I really like the edge and diversity of the exhibitions and was introduced to this place by my artsy mum.
If you have your own laptop and want to use the broadband, the café has a wireless connection.

They offer good coffee, some salads, soups and pastries as well as brunch at the weekends. It is run by the Maria Bonnier Dahlin foundation, established in 1985 by Jeanette Bonnier in memory of her daughter.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Bonniers konsthall | Art & culture, Coffee & tea, Snacks | Entrance fee SEK 60
Torsgatan 19 | Vasastan
Wed – Fri 12:00 – 19:00, Sat – Sun 12:00 – 17:00

The area Hornstull on Södermalm went from bearing the not so flattering nick name “Kniv-Söder” (Knife Söder) to becoming one of the most hip and coming parts of town. And it all happened in a few years around 2002-2004.

Copacabana rode the new wave and was just what Hornstull needed at the time – a really cosy and relaxed café with a simple but great menu. The location is spot on, facing the water. And recently the movie theatre nextdoor opened up again after long renovations. “Copa” seized the moment and expanded with a door between the two places and put more tables in the lobby of the Rio cinema.

They serve the regular café drinks and food consisting of all sorts of coffees including soya versions for vegans and lactose intolerants, juices and smoothies, an all day breakfast, soup of the week and a few sandwiches including things like Copacabana luxury toast with mango- and chili marinated crayfish, mayo, avocado and salad for 75 kr.

Copacabana writes on their website that they are the “nicest” café in town and they have succeeded. The staff is great, it’s gay friendly and they also arrange events, mostly book readings but also talks on feminism, politics and queer culture. Unfortunately it’s mostly in Swedish.

You can also call to check out what is going on at Rio, as they host small film festivals where documentaries, shorts and much more are screened. And all the information is not always on the web site.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Copacabana | Art & culture, Coffee & tea, Snacks | Caffe latte SEK 29.00
Hornstulls Strand 3 | Södermalm | +4686692939
Mon – Thu 09:00 – 20:00, Fri 09:00 – 19:00, Sat – Sun 10:00 – 19:00

Stockholm’s House of Dance is the place if you enjoy contemporary art forms and want to see something live. You can enjoy it (or hate it) without knowing a word of Swedish.

Dansens Hus has a bunch of interesting performances every season; at least 35 every year. The program for autumn is packed with interesting performances, check it out! Dorte Olesen and Cullbergbaletten should not be missed!

I guess I really started going to Dansens Hus after seeing Virpi Pahkinen dancing for free at Parkteatern a couple of years ago. She totally blew me away. I looked her up and discovered that she usually presented her work at Dansens Hus. I’ve been going there regularly since then.

Other performances at Dansens Hus that I’ve really enjoyed are by Dorte Olesen, Cullbergbaletten; and DV8. DV8 was truly outstanding last year, got standing ovations and left the audience clapping for 10 minutes.

Dansens Hus was founded in 1991 and has two stages, the prices are low; especially if you’re a student or below 26. They also arrange lectures, workshops and show movies; often for free.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Dansens Hus | Art & culture, Music, Theaters | Entrance student SEK 130.00
Barnhusgatan 14 | City/Norrmalm | +46850899090
Mon – Fri 14:00 – 18:00, Sat 14:00 – 19:00 (only in conjunction with performances)

This is the gallery I frequent the most and there is no reason to miss it with a very central location close to Slussen and free entrance – although there is a little glass jar where you can put a few coins if you want. And they show journalistic photography something that I’m really into, being a journalist who loves to travel.

It is funded by some of the biggest Swedish newspapers and picture agencies and every year exhibitions include “Swedish picture of the year” and work from Nordens fotoskola, one of the best photography schools in Sweden.

From March 6 to April 4 photographer Dawid has three exhibitions with the theme “Cars” in three different galleries close by. Start at Kontrast and ask for directions to the others. From April 10 to May 2nd it’s time for one of the most popular yearly exhibitions “Picture of the year 2010″. Don’t miss it.

Just check the web site for what is on when you will be in Stockholm. It’s mostly in Swedish, but click on “utställningar” in the top and you can at least read what photographers will exhibit which dates, and see a photo to give you a hint what to expect.

If you manage to go on the opening day of any exhibition usually the creators are there and you can get a glass of free wine. If you read the word “Vernissage” it means that’s the date and time of the opening.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Galleri Kontrast | Art & culture | Free
Hornsgatan 8 | Södermalm | +4686414999
Wed – Fri 12:00 – 18:00, Sat – Sun 12:00 – 16:00

You feel like doing something, seeing something, feel a bit cultural? Kulturhuset is the place to get inspired or just to wander around. There’s always something going on for everyone!

This place really makes me happy, the exhibitions are cheap or for free and they always have interesting activities going on. They have several exhibitions, theatres, a cinema, cafés, music performances, an impressive library with lots of art-books and newspapers from all over the world, an unique library for comics, a large imaginative place for children, a creative place for teenagers called LAVA, they arrange meetings with writers and much more…

This is a big bubbling place that wants everyone to get inspired, to think for themselves and to share their big and small thoughts with each other; or just to sit down, play some chess and drink coffee.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Kulturhuset | Art & culture, Cinemas, Coffee & tea, Music, Theaters
Sergels torg | City/Norrmalm | +46850831508
check the website for opening times

Just finding Magasin 3 is an adventure, hiding in a warehouse at the 1st floor. Standing in the large elevator you keep asking yourself if this really is the right address. It is!

Yeah it’s a bit outside of town but easy to get here thanks to the direct buses to Frihamnen. It’s so worth going! Just their little café makes the trip worth going, their cafe latte is d-e-l-i-c-i-o-u-s.

It’s very cheap and your ticket lasts the whole season. They have free guided tours every Saturday at 14.00, which I really recommend.

My favourite exhibition here so far is “Gravity, be my friend” by Pippilotti Rist’s, which was shown here last year. Downstairs you could lie down on massive cushions and watch calm and melancholic video installations in the ceiling. One was of beautifully coloured leaves falling straight on you. It was a very special feeling just laying there next to strangers, watching something simple yet so affecting.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Magasin 3 | Art & culture, Coffee & tea | Ticket SEK 40.00
Frihamnen, Gärdet | Outside North/West | +46854568040
Thu 11:00 – 19:00, Fri – Sun 11:00 – 17:00

I love this museum. Situated on my favourite island and neighbour with the also very nice Museum of Architecture; Moderna is the most visited art museum in Sweden. It’s big, light and has one of the most creative and fun art shops in town. Their collection of artwork is really nice and their temporary exhibitions are usually excellent; they have a couple of large ones every season.

One of my favourite exhibitions at Moderna Museet was Max Ernst’s “Dream and Revolution”. So many different techniques, I stared at his pencil frottage for a long time. Beautiful!

Moderna has something for everyone. All exhibitions have guided tours, which are included in the admission, check their website! For the art in the museum’s collection you can borrow audio-guides for free.

If you’re younger than 30 and are planning on staying in Stockholm for a while, I recommend you to buy the “Friends of Moderna Museet” card for 250kr/year. You get invited to previews, get 20% discount in the art shop and free admission to several other museums like the Museum of Architecture and Magasin 3. It’s a bargain!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Moderna Museet | Art & culture, Shopping, Snacks | Entrance SEK 60.00
Skeppsholmen | City/Norrmalm | +46851955200
Tue 10:00 – 20:00, Wed – Sun 10:00 – 18:00

The best way to experience a city is by walking!

Skeppsholmen is a small, beautiful island between Gamla Stan (Old Town) and Djurgården. It has many touristy views, perfect if you fancy taking pictures.

Start by taking Djurgårdsfärjan, the ferry-boat, from Slussen. It goes every 15 or 20 minute. If you have a subway card you get on for free! Don’t forget to tell them that you’re jumping off at Skeppsholmen. If you forget you’ll end up at Djurgården, which is a beautiful island as well, so no worries!

In addition to beautiful views you can also visit interesting spots like the Museum of Modern Art, the Architectural Museum, the East-Asian Museum & Af Chapman, which is a youth hostel on water. Also, in the small park which is situated in the middle of everything, you can enjoy Niki De Saint Phalle’s colourful sculptures from 1966.

From Skeppsholmsbron, the bridge that connects the island to the rest of the city, you have a great view over Slussen, Gamla Stan with the Royal Court and the buildings at Strandvägen.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Skeppsholmen | Art & culture, Relaxing | Free
Skeppsholmen | City/Norrmalm
24 hours daily

I don’t know what happened but my favourite café isn’t my favourite anymore. I still come here and enjoy the furnishing and cosy atmosphere but the sandwiches aren’t like they once used to be.. It’s still cheap though and definitely worth going to, it hasn’t lost it charm.

The atmosphere is warm, relaxed and creative. It was really hip a couple of years ago but people keep coming. Downstairs you find more seats and if it’s nice weather they have a couple of attractive tables outside.

It’s been serving us cheap sandwiches since 1992. Every sandwich comes with a tasty little salad as well. Their Soya-latte is one of the best in town and their carrot cake is excellent. They have music and theatre performances downstairs every Wednesday and the art hanging on the walls is for sale.

Oh, if you like the chair you’re sitting on you can buy it as well, all furniture is for sale.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
String | Art & culture, Coffee & tea, Music, Shopping, Snacks | Sandwich SEK 35.00
Nytorgsgatan 38 | Södermalm | +4687148514
Mon – Fri 09:30 – 21:00, Sat – Sun 10:30 – 19:00