Sweden - Becky Ohlsen [66]
Absolut Icebar (Map; 50 56 31 24; www.nordichotels.se; Nordic Sea Hotel, Vasaplan 4; admission prebooked Skr180, drop-in Skr195; drop-in 9.45pm-1am Fri & Sat, also Thu Jun–mid-Sep, reservations recommended all other times) It’s touristy. Downright gimmicky! And you’re utterly intrigued, admit it: a bar built entirely out of ice, where you drink from glasses carved of ice on tables made of ice. The admission price gets you warm booties, mittens, a parka and one drink. Refill drinks cost Skr95.
Systembolaget
The state-owned alcohol monopoly is the only place to buy real booze to take away. A complete listing is given online; the following are some handy central branches:
Systembolaget (www.systembolaget.se) Klarabergsgatan (Map; 21 47 44; Klarabergsgatan 62; 10am-8pm Mon-Fri, 10am-3pm Sat); Lilla Nygatan (Map; 411 65 06; Lilla Nygatan 11; 10am-6pm Mon-Wed, to 7pm Thu & Fri, 10am-3pm Sat); Regeringsgatan (Map; 796 98 10; Regeringsgatan 44; 10am-7pm Mon-Fri, 10am-3pm Sat)
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ENTERTAINMENT
Scan the local papers (Click here) for up-to-date listings of entertainment events, particularly the Friday ‘På Stan’ section of Dagens Nyheter newspaper. The monthly What’s On Stockholm brochure, available free from the tourist office, is another guide.
Nightclubs
Stockholm is home to some mighty clubs, with DJ royalty regularly on the decks. You’ll find the slickest spots in cash-flash Östermalm, especially on and around Stureplan. Expect an entry charge of Skr100 to Skr200 at the trendiest venues, not to mention notoriously picky door bitches (style up or opt out!). Södermalm offers a more varied scene, with club nights spanning local indie to salsa.
Spy Bar (Map; 54 50 37 01; www.thespybar.com, in Swedish; Birger Jarlsgatan 20; admission Skr160; 10pm-5am Wed-Sat) Set in a turn-of-the-century flat (spot the tiled stoves), this party stalwart pulls in a 20- and 30-something media crowd, as well as the odd American heiress (yes, Paris partied here). Expect three bars, electro, rock and hip-hop beats and no entry after 2am (unless you’re well connected, darling).
Sturecompagniet (Map 611 78 00; www.sturecompagniet.se; Sturegatan 4; admission Skr120, after midnight Skr140; 10pm-3am Thu-Sat) Swedish soap stars, flowing champagne and look-at-me attitude set a decadent scene at this glitzy, multilevel play-pen. Dress to impress and flaunt your wares to commercial house. Guest DJs have included Roger Sanchez.
Café Opera (Map; 676 58 07; www.cafeopera.se; Operahuset, Karl XXI’s Torg; admission Skr180; 10pm-3am Wed-Sun) Rock stars and wannabe playboys need a suitably excessive place to schmooze, booze and groove, one with bulbous chandeliers, haughty ceiling frescoes and a jet-set vibe. This bar-club combo fits the bill. The adjoining Veranden bar is a crisp white creation by architect trio Claesson Koivisto Rune and a choice hang-out for bartenders, meaning a mediocre martini is strictly out of the question.
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GAY & LESBIAN STOCKHOLM
Still glowing from EuroPride 2008, Stockholm is a dazzling spot for queer travellers. Sweden’s legendary open-mindedness makes homophobic attitudes rare and party-goers of all persuasions are welcome in any bar or club. As a result, Stockholm doesn’t do a ‘gay ghetto’, although you’ll find most of the queer-centric venues in Södermalm and Gamla Stan. For club listings and events, pick up a free copy of street-press magazine QX, found at many clubs, shops and cafes around town. Its website (www.qx.se) is more frequently updated. QX also produces a free, handy Gay Stockholm Map.
Good bars and clubs include the following:
Lady Patricia (Map; 743 05 70; Stadsgårdskajen 152; Sun) This is a perennial Sunday-night favourite with its superb seafood restaurant, two crowded dance floors, drag shows and Schlager-loving crowd. It’s all aboard a docked old royal yacht.
Lino Club Sthlm (Map; 411 69 76; www.linoclub.se; Södra Riddarholmshamnen 19; Sat) Stockholm’s hottest Saturday night gay club, it has four bars, three dance floors and a mingle-friendly outdoor terrace.