The best bars in the Old Town

The best bars in the Old Town

Stockholm's Old Town used to have a reputation as a bit of a tourist trap but in recent years it's become one of the city's culinary meccas - not least on the bar front. Some of the absolute best cocktail bars in town can be found here, serving up everything from innovative and ambitious creations to timeless classics. Use this guide as a map to the best bars hidden away among the narrow cobbled alleyways of the Old Town.

Tatty Good, Content Writer UK & Translator SE, Thatsup Tatty Good, Content Writer UK & Translator SE, Thatsup
Tatty Good
  1. Old Town's best bars
    1. 1
      Pharmarium Magic and medicine
    2. 2
      Mister French Great Gatsby glamour
    3. 3
      Österlånggatan 17 Friendly neighbourhood hangout
    4. 4
      Wirströms Pub Irish live music pub
    5. 5
      Engelen Live entertainment every evening
    6. 6
      Karamell Like Southern Europe
    7. 7
      Geronimo's FGT America in Stockholm
    8. 8
      Sovel Two bars under the same roof
    9. 9
      Ardbeg Embassy Unique restaurant and pub concept
    10. 10
      Bistro Marie Snug, cosy and welcoming
    11. 11
      Bar Brahe Welcoming hotel bar
    12. 12
      Skeppsbar Relaxed budget bar
    13. 13
      Zum Franziskaner Swedish/German beer institution
    14. 14
      The Liffey Irish
    15. 15
      Tritonia All about craft beer

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Old Town's best bars

Pharmarium – Bars in the Old Town
Pharmarium
Pharmarium – Bars in the Old Town
Pharmarium
Pharmarium – Bars in the Old Town
Pharmarium
Pharmarium – Bars in the Old Town
Pharmarium
Pharmarium – Bars in the Old Town
Pharmarium
Pharmarium – Bars in the Old Town
Pharmarium
Pharmarium – Bars in the Old Town
Pharmarium
Pharmarium – Bars in the Old Town
Pharmarium

Pharmarium

Website

Magic and medicine

In a former apothecary on Stortorget, Pharmarium has become a melting pot for all cocktail fanatics who love the mysteries of mixology. Cocktails consist of healing herbs, top-notch spirits and much more, from classics to crazy combos. The presentation is often spectacular, too, with smoke, foam and incredible attention to detail.

Mister French – Bars in the Old Town
Mister French
Mister French – Bars in the Old Town
Mister French
Mister French – Bars in the Old Town
Mister French
Mister French – Bars in the Old Town
Mister French
Mister French – Bars in the Old Town
Mister French
Mister French – Bars in the Old Town
Mister French

Mister French

Website

Great Gatsby glamour

Like walking into the pages of The Great Gatsby - that's the feeling you get when you enter the art deco-inspired restaurant and bar Mister French on Skeppsbron. In the centre of the room is the glamorous cocktail bar where bartenders mix up classic cocktails with a unique twist.

Österlånggatan 17 – Bars in the Old Town
Österlånggatan 17
Österlånggatan 17 – Bars in the Old Town
Österlånggatan 17
Österlånggatan 17 – Bars in the Old Town
Österlånggatan 17
Österlånggatan 17 – Bars in the Old Town
Österlånggatan 17
Österlånggatan 17 – Bars in the Old Town
Österlånggatan 17
Österlånggatan 17 – Bars in the Old Town
Österlånggatan 17
Österlånggatan 17 – Bars in the Old Town
Österlånggatan 17
Österlånggatan 17 – Bars in the Old Town
Österlånggatan 17
Österlånggatan 17 – Bars in the Old Town
Österlånggatan 17
Österlånggatan 17 – Bars in the Old Town
Österlånggatan 17
Österlånggatan 17 – Bars in the Old Town
Österlånggatan 17
Österlånggatan 17 – Bars in the Old Town
Österlånggatan 17

Österlånggatan 17

Website

Friendly neighbourhood hangout

This lively neighbourhood restaurant is part of the same group of restaurants as Nybrogatan 38 and it's a great place to meet up for a bite to eat or something to drink. Don't miss the al fresco dining area that transforms this part of Österlånggatan into a picturesque oasis during the summer months.

Wirströms Pub

Website

Irish live music pub

There's always something going on at Wirströms - if it's not a quiz, it's live music. The pub is decorated in traditional Irish style and has seating over two floors. Socialise, listen to music, tuck into pub grub and drink one of the many craft beers available on tap and by the bottle.

Engelen – Bars in the Old Town
Engelen
Engelen – Bars in the Old Town
Engelen
Engelen – Bars in the Old Town
Engelen
Engelen – Bars in the Old Town
Engelen
Engelen – Bars in the Old Town
Engelen
Engelen – Bars in the Old Town
Engelen
Engelen – Bars in the Old Town
Engelen
Engelen – Bars in the Old Town
Engelen
Engelen – Bars in the Old Town
Engelen
Engelen – Bars in the Old Town
Engelen
Engelen – Bars in the Old Town
Engelen
Engelen – Bars in the Old Town
Engelen

Engelen

Website

Live entertainment every evening

If you've ever heard the music streaming across Kornhamnstorg in the evenings, it's probably coming from Engelen. They put on live music seven nights a week, from music students to big bands, which draws in crowds of all ages. There's also a large and popular outdoor terrace that gets the sun almost all day during the warmer months.

Karamell – Bars in the Old Town
Karamell
Karamell – Bars in the Old Town
Karamell
Karamell – Bars in the Old Town
Karamell
Karamell – Bars in the Old Town
Karamell
Karamell – Bars in the Old Town
Karamell
Karamell – Bars in the Old Town
Karamell
Karamell – Bars in the Old Town
Karamell
Karamell – Bars in the Old Town
Karamell
Karamell – Bars in the Old Town
Karamell
Karamell – Bars in the Old Town
Karamell
Karamell – Bars in the Old Town
Karamell
Karamell – Bars in the Old Town
Karamell
Karamell – Bars in the Old Town
Karamell

Karamell

Website

Like Southern Europe

Is this a restaurant in the Old Town or a warm Mediterranean country? As soon as you step over the threshold here, it's easy to forget you're in Stockholm, with the large, lush plants and menus brimming with Southern European dishes and drinks. The cocktail bar mixes up seasonal and signature drinks, as well as classic cocktails if you prefer.

Geronimo's FGT

Website

America in Stockholm

Geronimos is a little bit of Southwestern America in amongst the winding alleyways of the Old Town. Quench your thirst with beer, Mexican mules or margaritas, and if you're hungry there's good grub on the menu. Live music performances and other events regularly pop up.

Sovel Kött & Grill – Bars in the Old Town
Sovel Kött & Grill
Sovel Kött & Grill – Bars in the Old Town
Sovel Kött & Grill
Sovel Kött & Grill – Bars in the Old Town
Sovel Kött & Grill
Sovel Kött & Grill – Bars in the Old Town
Sovel Kött & Grill
Sovel Kött & Grill – Bars in the Old Town
Sovel Kött & Grill
Sovel Kött & Grill – Bars in the Old Town
Sovel Kött & Grill
Sovel Kött & Grill – Bars in the Old Town
Sovel Kött & Grill
Sovel Kött & Grill – Bars in the Old Town
Sovel Kött & Grill
Sovel Kött & Grill – Bars in the Old Town
Sovel Kött & Grill
Sovel Kött & Grill – Bars in the Old Town
Sovel Kött & Grill

Sovel

Website

Two bars under the same roof

Sovel, on Mälartorget in the classic Old Town venue that used to be home to Flying Elk, houses not one, but two bars. On the first floor, the cocktail bar Corner Club Rescued by Sovel serves innovative drinks to the sounds of music played by DJs, while in the basement Vingrottan, you can enjoy selected wines in cosy surroundings. If you're feeling peckish, there are several small dishes to choose from.

Ardbeg Embassy

Website

Unique restaurant and pub concept

Ardbeg Embassy serves ambitious food combined with microbrewed beer and whisky and they're passionate about both drinks. In 2015 they were named Sweden's best whisky restaurant. They aim to provide the very best whisky, beer and food in Scottish distillery-inspired surroundings.

Bistro Marie

Website

Snug, cosy and welcoming

Bistro Marie is such a classic bistro it feels as though it's always been there. The restaurant includes a dining room, Continental outdoor dining area and a cocktail and wine bar which serves wines from all over the world. Cosy, snug and welcoming are the watchwords here. 

Bar Brahe – Bars in the Old Town
Bar Brahe
Bar Brahe – Bars in the Old Town
Bar Brahe
Bar Brahe – Bars in the Old Town
Bar Brahe
Bar Brahe – Bars in the Old Town
Bar Brahe
Bar Brahe – Bars in the Old Town
Bar Brahe
Bar Brahe – Bars in the Old Town
Bar Brahe
Bar Brahe – Bars in the Old Town
Bar Brahe
Bar Brahe – Bars in the Old Town
Bar Brahe
Bar Brahe – Bars in the Old Town
Bar Brahe
Bar Brahe – Bars in the Old Town
Bar Brahe

Bar Brahe

Website

Welcoming hotel bar

Within Hotell Reisen you'll find both Restaurant Reiss' hotel bar and Bar Brahe - a good old-fashioned speakeasy. There's plenty of room in the hotel bar and the bar serves up international cocktails with an elegant touch. Large and small parties alike are welcome - whether you're on a date, having a post-work drink with colleagues or enjoy a big night out. If you get hungry you can grab a table in the restaurant.

Skeppsbar

Website

Relaxed budget bar

If you're looking for a budget bar in the Old Town, Skeppsbar is a good option. With generous opening hours, friendly prices and an atmosphere that gets more and more lively as the evening draws on, this is a popular spot for both young and mature crowds.

Zum Franziskaner

Website

Swedish/German beer institution

Zum Franziskaner, or "Zumen", is one of the city's oldest restaurants and opened in the late 19th century. Much of the old Art Nouveau decor comes from the beerhall era, with wood paneling and booths to sit in. The theme is Swedish-German and offers a wide range of beers from both countries, with an extra emphasis on unpasteurised draft beer and beer from Franconia.

The Liffey

Website

Irish

You'll find this Irish pub tucked away among the narrow alleyways of the Old Town. The bar is famous and popular for its live performances, great atmosphere and drinks selection. Every Tuesday they hold a quiz evening, a perfect night out for a group of friends.

Tritonia

Website

All about craft beer

This part of the Old Town has a long history of beer brewing, and Tritonia Ölverkstad builds on this heritage. From classic brews to crazy hybrids - you'll find all kinds of craft beers here.

 

Bars in the Old Town – About the guide

The best bars in the Old Town - The guide to the best bars in Stockholm's Old Town is updated regularly. Please let us know if you know of any really great bars in the Old Town which we've missed and ought to write about. Please also let us know if you spot any errors in the guide. Have you visited any of the bars mentioned in the guide? Don't forget to write a review on Thatsup.

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At Thatsup, we have extensive experience of guiding our readers to a city’s hidden gems. Since 2008, our editors have been writing insightful guides covering restaurants, bars, cafes, hotels, and hairdressers, among other things. Our guides consist of carefully selected tips based on our local knowledge and are regularly updated with the help of our focus group, where we collectively discuss selections and content. We are constantly working to inspire and provide you with the best possible experience, no matter where you are or what you are looking for.

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