The 10 Best Bars In Umeå, Sweden
Located in the north of the country, Umeå is a lively student city with two universities. Proclaimed the European capital of culture, Umeå has hosted numerous events to present and further develop the city’s bustling cultural life. A large part of these events became the bars and nightlife venues around the city. See one of the live concerts, listen to blues and house music and try regional beer at one of these Umeå bars.
Guitars
Museum
Visit Umeå’s Guitars Museum and see the largest and most expensive collection of guitars on the world. The museum is located in a three stories tall, old factory style building. On the top floor, overlooking the city, is a relaxing bar and restaurant. The rustic interior is combined with a sleek modern décor. Enjoy a glass of good beer, while listening to Guitars’ characteristic alternative music. Check their calendar and stop by for a live concert.
Pipes of Scotland
Bar, Pub, Pub Grub
Pipes of Scotland is an old school pub, with a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. The interior is made of natural materials, tiled floors and wooden furniture, with a wooden bar in the spotlight. Lights are slightly dimmed, creating a cozy and intimate environment. Select your drink among a wide range of beers, with 17 on tap and almost 50 bottled ones, or try one of their 70 different whiskeys. Pipes of Scotland is known for organizing themed evenings, like pub quizzes, karaoke or live concerts nights.
Rex
Hotel
Rex is an upscale bar and restaurant, with a unique location – Umeå’s City Hall. During Fridays and Saturdays, Rex turns into a nightclub, where the entrance is age limited to 21 and over. The restaurant is known for their grilled dishes and their burgers are some of the best in town. In summer, you can relax on their terrace, sipping on their delicious Blood & Sand cocktail or enjoying a glass of wine from their monthly selection. The beer menu also includes special beers from local breweries.
Invito
Restaurant, Italian
Invito is an Italian restaurant and bar with an electric and friendly atmosphere. This is one of the biggest restaurants in the city, seating up to 160 guests. Enjoy a lovely a la carte dinner, including classics of Italian cuisine. The food combines original Italian dishes with ingredients and style of local Nordic cuisine. Invito’s pizza is made in a charcoal grill, giving the base a delicious, authentic taste – slight crunch on the outside, hot and fluffy on the inside. After dinner is finished, Invito turns into a sleek nightclub. Enjoy a tasty cocktail before hitting the bustling dance floor.
Lottas
Restaurant, European, Pub Grub
Lottas is a local bar with its own in house brewery. The space is centred around a long bar made of dark wood. The interior is rustic, with open bricked walls on one side and wood paneling on the other. Pictures on the wall show moments in the past and below them are the seating benches, padded with black leather. Lottas strives for high quality pub food, serving a mix of burgers, pastas and Mexican dishes.
Allstar
Bar, Pub, Swedish
One of Umeå’s favorite sport bars, Allstar has gained an iconic reputation. The modern interior is dominated by a large TV area, where multiple games are shown on large screens. On the other side of the bar are located seating booths with dark leather couches. Allstar serves quality pub food, focusing on American-style bar classics like burgers and chicken wings. Browse through their beer and cider menu or try one of their cocktails while catching up with your favorite team.
The Bishops Arms
Pub, Pub Grub
The Bishops Arms is a beer heaven, offering up to 35 beers on tap and almost 300 bottled. The majority of those beers come from microbrewers, both Swedish and foreign. The interior is reminiscent of the traditional British pub, with leather padded benches, dark wooden furniture and dimmed lights. Enjoy your drink in a comfortable atmosphere and good company. Talking is encouraged, as The Bishops Arms has no TV sets and their music is set on a low volume.
Teatercaféet
Nightclub, Pub Grub
Centrally located near the public library, Teatercaféet is a popular spot in Umeå. Spread over two floors, this elegant bar and restaurant offers high quality food of the region. The big outdoor terrace is an attractive spot during summer months. The Teatercaféet interior is dominated by black and white checkered floors, big wooden tables and high bar stools. During the weekends, the bar turns into a nightclub which attracts quite a crowd. The bar is known to play house music.
O’Learys
Restaurant, American
Another of Umeå’s popular sport bar is O’Learys. In the center of the restaurant is a bar, with four big screens above it. TV sets are an important feature of O’Learys and they have more than 30 screens to broadcast numerous sport games at every hour of the day. The menu includes standard pub food and selection of Swedish and international beers and ciders. In the evenings on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays the bar hosts live concerts. O’Leary’s main pull, however, is located upstairs on their top floor, where you will find eight bowling alleys, two pool tables and a shuffleboard table.
Droskan
Restaurant, European, Swedish
Droskan is a charming bar and restaurant with a rustic interior. Known for good food and blues concerts, Droskan has been a local favorite for the past 20 years. The bar’s interior features a big dance floor, which is quickly filled up during the weekends. Every Saturday Droskan hosts themed events and live concerts. In warmer months, you can sit outside on a big terrace and soak up the sun while chilling on comfortable sofas.