Because Gamla Stan is a trap
Date of visit: Spring 2023
Vibe:
Located just far enough away from Gamla Stan, this feels like a local happy hour & business traveler spot. I decided months in advance that it would be my “home base” during my trip to Stockholm and was thrilled that I chose correctly.
Both a restaurant and a bar, with separate rooms for each. The area we care about is a cozy pub space with a fairly long bar. There were a few nights where finding a bar seat was a struggle but I always figured it out. Patrons were friendly and English proficiency is high.
Drinks:
Wide variety of beers on tap, both European and import. Was surprised to see Brooklyn Brewing, which the bartender somehow did not realize was American. I mostly drank Erdinger Weiss, which I remember being about $7 per 0.5L. There’s also a fancy Guinness pouring machine for the tourists.
A full liquor bar is included as well. The bartenders were amused that I enjoyed Fisk, which is the Nordic corollary to Fernet or Rumpleminze. It tastes exactly how Vick’s VapoRub smells. You may snag some free shots if you show sufficient interest.
Visit Notes:
The highlight of my trip was Rob, the boisterous Aussie bartender. We swapped life stories. I convinced him that his son was likely not in danger of gun violence while attending one of the richest schools in America. I actually tipped and therefore received better service. I wish him the best in life.
I also befriended some Finnish business travelers. They worked for Salesforce, of all things. Why are we making foreign LinkedIn connections at the bar on vacation? They were, unsurprisingly, unable to explain what Salesforce actually does. Vehemently opposed to my plan to visit Helsinki; Tallinn and Riga were recommended instead. Flying into Helsinki and taking the ferry to Tallinn was negotiated to be the best option.
Nearby places of interest:
- Swedish cuisine is nothing to write home about, but MAX Burger blows American McDonald’s out of the water
- My favorite fika spot was Källarbyn. A cool, comfortable, cavern cafe. A wonderful place to relax.
- While in Södermalm, make sure to visit the Långholmen Museum. It’s a small museum inside of a hotel that I stumbled across while wandering the city. One of the highlights of my trip and criminally underrated.