Östermalm's best bars

This co-working space on Grev Turegatan serves up skilfully mixed cocktails, cold beers, non-alcoholic drinks and snacks. The cocktail bar is run by award-winning bartender Johan Evers together with rising star Oscar Drigoris, and the emphasis here is on passion and craftsmanship.

Slightly tucked away in a basement on Birger Jarlsgatan, you'll find Lucy's Flower Shop, run by Ola Carlsson from Bar Hommage and Hampus Thunholm from Svartklubben in Åre. Behind the anonymous entrance lies the understated bar with well-balanced cocktails that ensured Lucy's Flower Shop made the list of The World's 50 Best Bars in 2022.

Inside Artilleriet is the restaurant's cheeky little cocktail bar, Stjärtilleriet. Take a seat in the playful surroundings and sip an experimental cocktail with new and innovative flavours, perhaps with something to eat. They hold a happy hour several days a week, often with live DJs. 

Hotel Kung Carl, with its prime location on Stureplan, has two bars and a French bistro. Drink punsch cocktails, champagne or wine. Take in the atmosphere of the Parisian cocktail bar on the corner of Stureplan, or drop by the jazzy wine bar tucked away inside.

If there's one place you can be sure the bartender knows how to handle a cocktail shaker it's Hantverket. Swedish ingredients, unusual bitters and top-shelf spirits combine in your glass. Try out the "cocktail of the evening", something non-alcoholic or go large and order the cocktail package served in combination with five creative dishes.

Asia, in particular Bali, Singapore and the Sichuan province of China, are the inspiration for the restaurant and bar at Story Hotel Riddargatan. In the evenings it's a buzzy hangout and the drinks menu includes innovative cocktails and exciting ingredients, like green tea and maple syrup.

This sociable cocktail bar on Nybrogatan serves up great cocktails and food, alongside board games and activities. The concept is a relatively new one for Östermalm and the aim is that guests should feel right at home. Leather sofas, subtle lighting, curtains and rugs create a living-room feel that encourages lounging and socialising. Drop by with a group of friends or colleagues for a game of shuffleboard or billiards.

Right by Östermalmstorg, Villa Dagmar houses not one but two elegant bars. In the Trädgårdsbaren, found in the grand inner courtyard, it's all about expertly shaken cocktails and a vibrant atmosphere, while snug Dagges Vinbar focuses on exclusive wines from more unusual wine regions. Grab a spontaneous post-work drink, but don't be surprised if it ends up with you staying all evening – be sure to order some tasty snacks from the food menu.

At Nobis Guldbaren, seasonal cocktails are served in an exclusive setting, adorned with gilt-edged mirrors. The design is by Claesson Koivisto Rune, who have created an elegant place to drop in when a craving for cocktails kicks in. Or you can continue on to the atrium lounge, which Nobis calls “Stockholm's living room” and boasts an impressive ceiling height of 28 metres.

If you want to have a drink in gorgeous surroundings, Hillenberg is a hot tip. Designed by the Okidoki! architect firm, the backdrop provides endless interiors inspiration as you sip your drink. The drinks list is equally smoking, with masses of innovative flavour combinations.

In the historic restaurant neighbourhood that used to be home to Östergök, you can now bar hop between Cuculo, Aristo and Uva Vinbar. Cuculo carries on the legacy of Östergök, and you can enjoy Italian dishes here as well as hang out in the playful bar sipping drinks like Negroni and Aperol spritz.

In Birger Jarlspassagen shopping arcade, you'll find well-known chef duo Adam & Albin's bistro with influences from Stockholm, Asia and New York. Delightful cocktails are also shaken up in a Continental atmosphere, perfect for enjoying at the bar or with some large and smaller plates.

Duck off lively Grev Turegatan into this cosy yet buzzy bistro. The bar may be small, but the wine list is long. There's plenty of room on the outdoor dining area in the summers, perfect for a little Östermalm people-watching.

Kommendören is famous for its warm, welcoming atmosphere. Take a seat in their intimate little bar and watch the bartenders conjure up cocktails that span the range between sweet and bitter. You can also order from the restaurant menu if hunger should sneak up on you.

Svenska Brasserier is a collective name for several well-known Stockholm restaurants, most of which happen to be located in Östermalm, on the edge of the city centre. As well as sharing the same owners, Sturehof, Riche and Teatergrillen are all institutions in Stockholm nightlife. Their generous opening hours make them popular meeting places for media types and aspiring club kids alike, and you can drop by for something to drink every day of the week.

Grodan has been on Grev Turegatan since 1985. The restaurant was originally called La Grenouille, but was quickly renamed when more and more regulars started calling it Grodan - "the frog". More than three decades later it's still a hot spot and the bar, as well as the outdoor dining area, are places to see and be seen. Expect a steady stream of guests and French-influenced drinks.

Copine combines French elegance with the vibrant culinary culture of the Mediterranean, in the heart of Östermalm. A slightly more relaxed atmosphere prevails at the kitchen bar, where you can perch on a tall bar stool and dangle your legs, while watching the chefs at work in the kitchen. Order a glass of wine and some snacks, or indulge in a full three-course meal.

This popular neighbourhood restaurant on Linnégatan has both a dining room and a large bar where you can meet up with friends and have something to eat or just a drink. The bar is a relaxed meeting place that's ideal whether you want to order dinner or just drop by for a glass of wine after work. 

Brasserie Godot is something of a communal living room for Östermalm residents. Before you enter the dining room you pass through the bar area, where there's always a great atmosphere after work. The brasserie is run by two sommeliers so you can expect an interesting wine selection and a reliable cocktail list including both classics and new combos.

You'd be hard-pushed to walk past East's outdoor dining area in the centre of Stureplan and find it empty. This Asian fusion restaurant is open for dinner and drinks in the same premises and the drinks as well as the food are inspired by lands to the east, including a wide range of sake, beer and cocktails with Asian flavours.

This French bistro and wine bar is run by the restaurateur couple Jim & Jacob, and you can just as easily come here for a meal as for a glass of wine at the bar. A selection of wines is served here, both from the old world and the new, ranging from classic to modern and unfiltered. You can also book a table for dinner at the bar.

At Zink, they want every guest to feel like part of the family, whether they come here for dinner or for a drink at the bar. The drinks menu lists both classic and newer cocktails flavoured with typically Italian ingredients such as limoncello, Aperol and olive oil, as well as a selection of (mainly Italian) wines. If you're a bit peckish, you can order some snacks in the form of olives, charcuterie, almonds and other antipasti.

This wine café from star chef Niklas Ekstedt serves a carefully curated selection of natural wines from all over the world. The knowledgeable staff who are passionate about wine are happy to give recommendations.

Whether you're heading to a performance at Maxim or just fancy a glass of something nice, you can visit Maxim Framfickan, inside the cultural centre. Upstairs, you'll find the restaurant's bar, which offers a menu featuring both drinks and wine, as well as some food options. If you want to enjoy your drink in a truly cultural atmosphere, you've come to the right place. 

On the ground floor of the grand Art Nouveau building on Strandvägen that houses one of the city's swankiest hotels, you'll also find the hotel's brasserie, bar and an incredibly popular outdoor dining area with waterfront views. The drinks menu is particularly popular after work and on sunny days.

E&G's cosy sister spot on Sibyllegatan houses a restaurant and wine bar, with its own small deli counter where you can buy oysters and other delicacies. There's a relaxed atmosphere throughout the day, and it works just as well for lunch or dinner as for a glass of German wine.