Haabet Bodega Bar Copenhagen

Cheerful, smokey and unbiased.

A good local watering hole - preferable more than one - is important!

In my neck of the woods, Haabet Bodega is a good choice. It’s a classic “brunt værtshus” which directly translated means “brown bar”. A brown bar refers to a pub that has maintained its original atmosphere and to a large extent interior as well.

Way back when, this would have been an old-man-pub but now a younger audience has made its appearance; the result is a mixed clientele coexisting joyfully; everyone is welcome here, including dogs. To quote owner Amina on the bar website: people can come naked as long as they bring a towel to cover their bum! 

Tuesday night is bingo night, a festive event that becomes more and more lively as the evening progresses, spurred on by winnings in the form of shots and silly little gifts. No worries if you haven't played bingo before or don’t speak Danish; a lot of dormitories are located on Amager, which mean a lot of foreign students too, and they tend to hang out at Haabet, so the rules will be explained in English as well.

Smoking is allowed, but ventilation is good and there’s a backroom for non-smokers.

The place comes with a personal warning though. Some of the lampshades are made from old diving helmets. I have banged my head into them on more than one occasion, and I can’t recommend that. They are solid.