The 10 Best Bars in Södermalm

Glada Stinsen has been a Södermalm staple for nearly thirty years. This delightful Swedish pub has cultivated a large local fan base and it’s easy to see why. A range of European and American beers are available, and highly recommended is the Swedish Åbro, on draft for 56 KR per pint. If feeling especially adventurous, try the curiously named and terrifically strong Dirt Wolf, an 8.7% variety for 74 KR. The rafters are always packed with regulars here, making for a warm and friendly atmosphere throughout the venue.

Hellströms Bar and Restaurant offers high quality beverages in a fun and lively atmosphere. The perfect place to bring a group of friends, a number of popular themed nights are hosted here, and throughout September a beer pong competition will be held with the chance to win festival tickets. Charmingly kitsch decor and disco lighting make this bar a top spot in which to drink and dance, and many types of beer, spirits and shot varieties are available. Don’t miss the Friday night taco buffet, offering a wide selection of the Mexican favorite for a very reasonable price.

A time-honored bar of Stockholm built in 1679, Snaps Bar and Bistro is a trendy Södermalm spot boasting only locally sourced products for their seasonal food and drink menu. Emanating an old-world charm, the venue is architecturally classic and beautiful, the building a creative masterpiece of renowned architect Johan Tobias Albinius. The bar sits squarely in Medborgarplatsen Square, with the outside seating area becoming an ideal space to people-watch in the summer months. The margaritas here are first-rate.

If searching for an authentic Södermalm Pub than you needn’t look further than Brother Tuck. Named after the Friar Tuck of Robin Hood fame, Brother Tuck is a friendly, welcoming and hospitable establishment, with cozy pub decor and amiable staff. There is live music here most evenings and nearly 20 draughts beers to choose from. The food menu should be sampled too, the schnitzel being a particularly top choice, served in a generous portion and filled with ham, cheese and red wine.

Aifur Krog & Bar is a creative celebration of the rich Viking history underpinning the Swedish nation, the perfect spot in which to enjoy a drink after exploring the Old Town. The product of 15 years of research into Viking life in Södermalm, the bar boasts furry seats, candles in the shape of long ships, and large wooden tankards from which to try a local mead. 11 different ale types are offered here as well as more contemporary drinks. The amber mead is very tasty and is similar to a honeyed cider.

Also christened after a literary figure, Oliver Twist is the place to be for beer lovers. With 25 varieties on tap, ranging from local brews to diverse international options, this bar is one of the top ale retailers in Södermalm. Highly recommended are the local micro brews, particularly the Dubbel IPA from Slottskällan for 94 KR per bottle, and the Meine Hopfenweisse, a local wheat beer on tap for 98 KR per pint. There is also a huge selection of British real ales available here, as well as German blondes and American pale ales.

Cultur Bar & Restaurant sits in the heart of Södermalm’s Old Town, a romantically lit venue evoking the atmosphere of a 1920s speak-easy. This isn’t a casual drinking spot; it’s a high-class, elegant establishment oozing splendor and sophistication. The extensive French and Italian wine list is very impressive, and highly recommended is the 2004 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva from Tenuta Col d’Orcia. Try a cocktail from the sizeable menu, a popular favorite being the Valmont the Second, made from a blend of Stolichnaya vodka, Zingibier Liquer, lime, orange bitter, honey & apple juice. There is also a very tasty non-alcoholic sparkling wine available, namely the Richard Juhlin Blanc de Blanc.

A popular local favorite, S:ta Clara Restaurant & Bierhus is one of the best beer spots in the area, offering a range of local brews as well as many German drink types. Deals on house ales are continually advertised here, and their home-made brew “Old Town Dark” is rich and delicious. The Stockholm Jazz Festival is held at the bar annually, drawing the crowds and creating a brilliant celebratory atmosphere in which to drink and have fun.

Stampen is a merry bar unlike any other found in Södermalm. It’s a venue which plays host to fantastic live music acts, a brilliant accompaniment to a few delicious cocktails. (Try the hurricane, a refreshing blend of rum, passion fruit, orange juice and grenadine.) An extremely lively and up-beat venue, a night can easily be danced away at Stampen. Acts such as The Bandwagon Swing Orchestra regularly perform, with a full programme of all listings available on their website.