The Ultimate Guide to Stockholm’s Best Nightlife

If you’re not the dancing type, much-loved beer hall Kvarnen is a great place to drink with friends until doors close at 3am. The bar has been in the same location in the centre of Södermalm since 1908 and was even name-checked in Stieg Larsson’s The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo. With high ceilings, distinctive arched windows and exposed copper pipework, Kvarnen has carefully preserved its historic legacy, serving hearty Swedish dishes including their famous meatballs during the day, before a livelier atmosphere takes over in the evening. Expect to queue, but it’s definitely worth the wait.

A huge space under an enormous concrete bridge near Södermalm, this is worth a visit whatever time of year you’re in the city. Between May and September, Trädgården is an outdoor club open until 3am, which includes a live music venue, a courtyard dance area, table tennis tables and a burger shack. You can often get in for free if you enter before 8pm. If the temperature dips, take the stairs by the toilets to head up to the Red Room for a heavy hip-hop and R&B soundtrack. In the colder months, the two-storey Under Bron takes over the space, attracting big-name house and techno DJs and a devoted crowd of EDM aficionados. “The queue is always quite long, so get there in good time, maybe even in the afternoon and just hang out and have a drink,” advises Rachel Jones from travel blog www.hippie-inheels.com. “It’s filled with nice people, good music, and good drinks – and they also have a photo booth!”

As Stockholm is located where Lake Mälaren meets the Baltic Sea, it’s no surprise partying is not confined to dry land. Anchored between Södermalm and Gamla Stan, Patricia is an old ship that conducted secret missions in World War II, and even once hosted Winston Churchill and Queen Elizabeth II. It’s now been transformed into a party boat, with a restaurant, rock bar, singalong Swedish pop bar and a nightclub open until 5am on Saturday and Sunday. The gay night on Sunday has been held for over 20 years and is still the best in the city. “Expect lots of glitter, costumes, dancing, live music and juicy drinks,” says www.travelgay.com.

Look for the neon sign on a balcony overlooking a street in Stureplan to locate Spy Bar, one of the hottest nightclubs in Stockholm. Located over three floors in a renovated apartment, Spy Bar feels like partying in someone’s home. It’s a great bar to people-watch over drinks, rather than a spot to hit the dance floor. That is if you gain entrance at all. A favourite with Stockholm celebrities, get there as early as possible to get inside. Bar recommendation website World’s Best Bars notes, “you know you’ve made it if you can pass the doors to The Spy Bar”.

There’s no better way to make the most of Stockholm’s long summer nights than at one of the city’s annual summer clubs that only pops up during the warmer months. F12 Terrassen is in the heart of the city just behind central station, and is open seven days a week playing techno, house and hip-hop. Dance on the terrace under the stars, catch up with friends on the imposing grand staircase or head inside for the full sweaty, club experience. It’s packed on a Saturday so go during the week for a little more space.

Stockholm’s latest venue, Fållan, opened in November 2019 in a former disused industrial space in Slakthusområdet, the city’s meatpacking district. The venue hosts an ever-changing programme of live events, pop-up exhibitions and club nights. Be sure to check the website first to see what’s on. Expect a mix of international techno DJs, gigs and festivals in Fållan’s bigger space and up-and-coming acts and ground-breaking club nights in the smaller room. “Fållan hosts two stages, four bars and an outdoor area with converted shipping container street food kitchens, a wine bar and several watering holes,” says Thea Mårdbrant, operations manager at Fållan. “We aim to make every event special.”

Berns is a Stockholm institution set within an ornate palace in front of the Royal Dramatic Theatre. The enormous complex opened in 1863 now houses a hotel, restaurants, bars, a live music venue and nightclubs. The space has seen performances by everyone from Strauss to Marlene Dietrich. These days, you’re more likely to find international house music DJs at Neu or hear party tunes at the two-storey Nostalgica, while the majestic grand hall – Stora Salongen – hosts special club nights and big-name live acts. Several shows require advanced booking so be sure to check their schedule and book online first.