The best bars in Vasastan

Mai Tai, Navy Grog, Kava och Missionary's Downfall – Tiki Room hämtar inspiration från Västindiens övärld och bjuder på mängder av romfyllda drinkar. Nere i källaren mitt i Birkastan får man en tur och retur-resa till Polynesien med bambuinredning, tropiska drinkar och personal i Hawaii-skjortor.

Spanska charkuterier, goda viner eller drinkar i baren – på Bar Nombre råder en avslappnad stämning som flörtar med mat- och dryckeskulturen i Sydeuropa. När sommaren är i antågande öppnar man upp en härlig trottoarservering mitt på Odengatan.

Drinks take centre stage at 20hundra5 on Vanadisplan, although snacks also get a look in. There's a playful attitude to ingredients and relaxed atmosphere, but mixology is taken seriously here and the bartenders shake and jiggle to create world-class cocktails.

This exciting wine bar on Tomtegatan specialises in amber-coloured drinks. Choose from wine, beer, cognac and Japanese whiskey, and you can accompany your drink with Japanese small dishes such as gyoza.

The Parisian influences are apparant the moment you enter Brasserie Balzac. The long cocktail bar stretches through the room to a backdrop of pattered floors, elegant stucco work and red leather sofas. The drinks menu includes an extensive wine list and skilfully blended cocktails.

Right next door to Tranan you'll find the classic restaurant's wine bar, Grus Grus. It's buzzy, intimate and feels slightly international. Choose between well-loved labels and exciting, funky natural wines - there's something to suit all tastes here. 

Are you a fan of natural wines produced by small-scale winegrowers? Then you're sure to feel right at home at Bistro Capitol, right next to the Capitol cinema on Sankt Eriksplan. The wine list is updated daily and, while natural wines take centre stage, there's something for every preference. Pair it with a couple of small dishes or a full dinner.

In addition to serving high-quality fast food, Lådan also has a wide range of craft beers from microbreweries, from Sweden and beyond. If you're not sure what to choose you can always ask the knowledgeable staff who are happy to give recommendations. Follow their Instagram to keep track of their latest beers.

Is there anything more relaxing than a good old-fashioned British pub, complete with bookshelves and comfy leather armchairs? The Churchill Arms serves 28 types of draft beer and a wide range of bottled beers. They also have a good selection of cider and wine, as well as single malt whisky from all over the world, and a menu full of ambitious pub grub. Drop by with friends or colleagues for a quiz night or post-work drink.

Urban Deli is located in the life science centre Forskaren on Torsplan, where they've created a restaurant and deli that's open from early morning until late at night. The Urban Diner restaurant features a 16 metre-long bar where you can sit down for a drink and perhaps something small to eat.

Neighbourhood restaurant Noorm houses not one but two different bars: one in the middle of the restaurant, serving both drinks and food, and then the secret and slightly mysterious cocktail bar BehindTheBar. How do you find it? Ask the staff, and they might show you the way...

Classic Tranan is famous for more than their renowned off-menu meatballs. Their cellar houses a popular bar where the restaurant's timeless homecooking is accompanied by wine, beer, cocktails and DJs.

In Scalateatern's historic foyer bar, you can escape into the elegance and glamour of the 1920s. Surrounded by heavy velvet drapes, chandeliers and other period features, you can sip on a cocktail or a glass of wine, and perhaps even spot a celebrity or two. Occasional live music on the small foyer stage adds to the fun atmosphere.

This gastropub has been pouring beers for thirsty guests since 1994. They boast an extensive range of whiskys, but their crowning glory is their selection of beers, which includes some 650 different types, 30 draft beers and a cellar packed with barrel-aged beers.

Erlands has a delightful cocktail bar with Fifties and Sixties influences, decorated with antiques and flea market finds. The menu includes small and larger dishes depending on how hungry you are. You can also count on enjoying some live jazz while you're here.

Italian L'Avventura on Odenplan doesn't just make really great pasta, they also know to mix up a pretty mean cocktail. The spectacular premises, which used to house a cinema, is home to not just one, but two, bars that serve aperitivo drinks and classic Italian cocktails such as bellinis, negronis and americanos.

The bar inside Svartengrens restaurant on Tulegatan is a firm favourite. Mixologists blend cocktails with unexpected yet familiar flavours such as lingonberries, violets, dark chocolate, browned butter and maple syrup. Take a seat at the bar or get comfy in the dining room as you sip on your drink.

In the middle of Vasastan, close to Stockholm Public Library you'll find Hard Rock Cafe, an iconic restaurant that's become something of a local landmark. They serve American favourites such as steaks, sandwiches, classic salads and Hard Rock's signature hamburgers alongside all kinds of drinks - not least milkshakes. A couple of evenings a week, at weekends, you can also listen to live music of various genres. 

Who doesn't love a small, intimate wine bar? Combo is run by the same team that's behind timeless success stories such as PA & Co and Bistro Süd. Take a seat by the window in the small bar and enjoy carefully selected grape varieties as you watch the world go by on Odengatan and admire the iconic facade of the city library. The wine selection is extensive.

Elegant Rummel in Hagastan consists of two parts, a dining room and a cocktail bar. Sip contemporary and classic cocktails in the bar while people-watching through the large windows and maybe having a bite to eat. Their aim is to offer a little more colour and noise in life, when everyday life feels a little quiet and bland.

In Spanish, paladar means both the sense of taste and a kind of small, Cuban, privately owned restaurant in someone's home. These were common in Castro's Cuba in the Nineties, with twelve covers or fewer, affordable food and access to unique ingredients. Paladar de Cuba wants to recreate that feel, and an important part of that is, of course, the rum. They stock what they estimate is Sweden's largest range of rums, with over 400 different varieties.

Marco's have made a name for themselves with their slightly eclectic menu, which includes sushi, pizza and burgers, all of which are equally high quality. You can also drop by for a cocktail and enjoy the relaxed neighbourhood restaurant feel.

At Yuc, they aim to create a festive, Mexican taqueria atmosphere every day of the week. Meet up over tacos, cocktails and upbeat music pouring out of the speakers.