Image by Aaron L

I’m not sure why this place hasn’t been written about before. Perhaps, it’s because its not located in a place you’d usually look. Unless you’re the kind of person who searches for bars 33 meters up in the air! BAM!

Gondolen has a bar with the best view in all of Stockholm. Although 33m doesn’t sound very impressive, please consider the fact that Stockholm city isn’t exactly filled with towering office buildings and skyscrapers worthy of King Kong’s attention. The bar is located in the bridge that connects the old Katarina Hissen (Katarina lift) and Mosebacke on Sodermalm.

The bartenders are professionals in red and white striped uniform. Cute right? And you’ll have a dazzling view over Gamla Stan and the rest of Sodermalm by the large windows on both sides of the bar. I would say the clientèle at the restaurant are locals and Swedish tourists who are slightly more mature (like a good wine, around 40 years old and up) but don’t let that stop you young travelers! Or maybe you kind of dig that? Youngsters nowadays…

Anyway the view and great cocktails make for a memorable night out in the city and when you’re feeling the need for a change of scenery just head over to Götgatan, which is a 5 minute walk from Gondolen and check out the indie bar scene like Bauer, Ljungrens (check the articles here & here) and Indigo (Götgatan 19). All hugely popular with the Stockholm locals.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Gondolen | Bars
Stadsgården 6 | Södermalm | +4686417090
Mon – Fri 11:00 – 01:00, Sat 16:00 – 01:00

Image by Aaron L

Situated right around the corner of my apartment, Ramblas is a very small dimly lit tapas restaurant that serves up a delicious assortment of tapas for affordable prices. Its that winning combination that draws all the locals here to eat. It almost always full during every day throughout the week so be sure to make a reservation the day of or the day before!

Their tapas menu covers everything from gaspacho (cold tomato soup), dates rolled in bacon to my all time favorite gambas al ajillo. The tapas are served on flat brown bowls that quickly leave your table without space for your glass of sangria. Its a great place to go with friends or with that special someone to enjoy a jug of sangria, great food and a bustling cosy neighborhood restaurant.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Ramblas | Bars, Restaurants (Tapas) | Per tapas SEK 53
Långholmsgatan 3 | Södermalm | +4686692536
15:00 – till late daily

Image by Natalia Urbanska

Fancy a drink with a vampire? This is one of the coolest bars in Stockholm, for sure! Pass the door, go down the stairs and enter a very different atmosphere set in a cave.

The drinks really make this place, most of them have vampire-names and are delicious as hell! You have to try a Milkshake drink, they’re like candy. My favourite is Vlad the Impaler and yeah, Monday is the day to come here since it’s much cheaper. There’s a new DJ playing records every night and if you’re not into alcohol it’s alright, all drinks can be ordered alcohol-free!

You have to leave your jacket for 20 kronor, even if you’re there only for a drink. I don’t like these kind of small expenses but this place is totally worth that 20. Sit down on a comfy, red sofa with your drink, red wine or beer and enjoy the atmosphere with candle lights and interesting ornaments. The toilet is also quite interesting…

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Vampire Lounge | Bars, Music, Snacks | Drink SEK 60.00
Östgötagatan 41 | Södermalm | +4686432240
Mon – Fri 17:00 – 01:00, Sat 19:00 – 01:00

Image by Natalia Urbanska

This museum is pure joy for photo lovers. Opened in may 2010 with the top name Annie Leibovitz. It was a big success, no doubt about it. They have lots of different exhibitions every year, so far I haven’t been disappointed.

Fotografiska is beautifully situated in Slussen, just by the water with a nice view over Skeppsholmen and Djurgården. It has really generous opening hours – everyday from 10:00 to 21:00! More museums should have these kind of opening hours! Perfect for some inspiring exhibitions before going out…

I loved the premiere exhibitions. Lennart Nilsson’s “A child is born” was really impressive and made me all nostalgic remembering his photos from my old school books. Leibovitz’s “A photographer’s life” was also impressive, beautiful, startstruck, melancholic and very personal. Speer’s “The birthday party” was beautiful (my favorite!) and Joel-Peter Witkin’s “Bodies” was uncomfortable, disgusting and absolutely beautiful.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Fotografiska | Art & culture, Bars, Shopping, Snacks | Adult entrance SEK 110
Stora Tullhuset Stadsgårdshamnen 22 | Södermalm | +46850900500
10:00 – 21:00 daily

Image by Natalia Urbanska

This is one of my favourite places to dance for sure! They have many different clubs and they’re usually for free if you come before 22:00. They also have lots of concerts, check their homepage for dates! Some of them here at Medis and some of them at Debaser Slussen.

One night that was particularly wonderful was during Debaser Medis “Berlin night” where one of my favourite artists Apparat performed. It was an excellent night, packed with different electronic music which made us dance for at least 6 hours.

The first floor has two rooms. The larger room gives me a feeling of prom-night or something. The ceiling is really high, the stage is large and the floor spacious. There’s lots of room to dance, though it does get pretty packed during the night. Losing your friends in the crowd is not unusual, which is okay, you always find someone else to chat or dance with.

The smaller room is more chilled out with a bar, seats and you can order food. They also have a nice bar and a small cinema on the second floor.

Bring earplugs!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Debaser Medis | Bars, Cinemas, Music, Snacks | Entrance SEK 100.00
Medborgarplatsen 8 | Södermalm | +4686947900
Fri – Sat 17:00 – 03:00 (concerts 19:00) | Check their website