The best places in Stockholm for after-work drinks and fun

In the afternoons, Jacqueline's invites you in for an aperitivo with drinks, snacks, and music, a concept that's made it a popular bar for those seeking city vibes and a relaxed atmosphere. During the summer month, the outdoor seating area attracts visitors with its sunny and central location in the heart of Norrmalm.

When you're in the mood for a slightly more chilled post-work evening, Mellqvist Matbar, with its relaxed yet slightly luxurious living room feel, is a safe bet. Lean back and relax with a glass of wine, a refreshing beer or a cocktail. The bar also serves French-inspired small and large dishes. During the summer months when Rörstrandsgatan becomes a pedestrian street, the alfresco dining area is a lively hangout. 

It's hard to believe when you see it from the outside, but this bar, tucked away on a side street in Kungsholmen, is often lively and packed with people sipping wine, bubbles or beer and sharing tasty plates. A great place for an end-of-week debrief with a group of friends in relaxed surroundings.

On cosy Swedenborgsgatan, you'll find Dryck Vinbar, run by a passionate wine enthusiast called Carro Tallving. She has created a welcoming oasis where you're equally welcome whether you're a die-hard oenophile or you simply enjoy drinking good wine. Craftsmanship and flavour characterise the selection, and Carro loves it when guests dare to try something new. The bar also features a glassed-in outdoor terrace that attracts after-work revellers even on slightly colder or windier days.

Soak up an atmosphere that combines the big city vibes of Paris and New York. The bar serves cocktails and fizz, among other drinks, for a nice post-work drink in buzzy surroundings. Why not order a few oysters to go with your bubbles?

In the middle of the hustle and bustle of MOOD shopping galleria you'll find Boqueria's food bar Torget, which after 5pm turns into an urban AW hangout with Spanish vibes. Raise a glass of cava, beer and cocktails, and find your favourites among the more than 50 different tapas dishes that are served. A little later in the evening, the party gets going with music, often played by guest DJs. If you prefer a slightly more organised afterwork you can grab a table at the restaurant right next to Torget, which also has Spanish tapas on the menu.

The bar at RiRi, inside Bio Rio, serves up fantastic wines that change regularly. There are always a few seats reserved for spontaneous guests, so just drop in when the working day is over and it's time for a post-work drink. In addition to wine, they serve cocktails, beer, and "sloppy fine dining" cooked over an open fire. 

This modern bistro a stone's throw from Nytorget is a relaxed and stylish hangout. Drop by for cocktails and great music in a Södermalm bistro decorated with heavy curtains, leafy houseplants, mosaics and wooden furniture.

The magnificent old library in Medborgarhuset now houses bars, a restaurant, a stage, and events spread over three floors. End your day in the award-winning cocktail bar with its beautifully preserved Art Deco interiors, or in the pub near the entrance at Medborgarplatsen where you can choose from a selection of draft beers, whiskies, tequilas, and rums from around the world.

This place oozes with the relaxed atmosphere and food culture of bars in Spain and Italy. Charcuterie, tapas, wine and micro-brewed beer are the main events. Round off your working week with a drink or dinner.

Drop by this Continental neighbourhood restaurant on the corner of Zinkensdamm for a relaxed post-work bar scene with living room vibes. Choose from beer, wine and innovative cocktails, and if you get peckish there's an extensive menu of Mediterranean dishes in both small and large formats.

There's a Friday feeling every day of the week at this sociable hotel restaurant. Whether you're a hotel guest or not, you're equally welcome to round off the day here with a glass of wine, a drink or beer, together with some snacks in the bar. Right in the middle of the city with great transport connections and Stockholm's nightlife just around the corner.

Down in Laroys cellar, you can enjoy a post-work drink in a quieter kind of pub setting. Svarta Hästen is Stockholm's first wine and chess bar. Whether you're a bit of a chess pro or just want to learn the basics – perhaps with the help of a personal chess coach – you're equally welcome, and of course, you can also come here simply to explore the wine list and chat away for an hour or two.

At Hötorget Kvarterskrog & Bar you're invited to hang out post-work every day of the week, in a relaxed and social atmosphere. The bar mixes up fabulous cocktails, and if you prefer wine or bubbly there's also plenty to choose from. Regular DJ sets create party vibes and if you want to make a night of it, the food menu offers both small and large dishes with European flavours.

Erth doesn't just serve up lunch and sell high-quality meat, they also welcome guests to drop by after work on Wednesdays to Fridays between 4 and 6pm when they lay out tasty snacks and delicious drinks at happy-hour prices. Yum!

It's no secret that the taco bar Tres enjoys post-work fun - happy hour is celebrated every weekday evening here with special prices on nachos and other tasty snacks. If you like really cold margaritas (and who doesn't?), you're sure to have a great time here.

Urban Deli is a popular meeting place with a restaurant, bar and deli all under the same roof. In the evenings it's full of people gathering over something to eat or drink. During the summer months, the al fresco dining area on Nytorget is naturally a major draw, as is their huge rooftop terrace on Sveavägen and outdoor dining areas in Torsplan and Sickla.

Do as the Italians do and enjoy a little aperitivo after work. At Capannone Bottega, you can sip carefully selected Italian wines and indulge in small bites (or larger dishes for that matter), just like in southern latitudes. The wine bar is cosy, featuring soft materials in muted colours, flickering candles, and round tables. In the summer months, the bar expands with an outdoor terrace on bustling Roslagsgatan.

Ö17 is a neighbourhood bar in the Old Town that attracts a broad crowd – regulars and tourists, young and old, hungry and thirsty. With its relaxed atmosphere and decent price level, it's also well-loved by Stockholm's post-work crew. Grab a drink at the bar or, if you're in the mood, belt out a tune and raise a glass in the karaoke room one floor down.

With a combination of lively atmosphere, generous opening hours and affordable food, Paraden invites you to come by for post-work fun in ambitious neighbourhood restaurant surroundings. Meet up with friends for a signature drink in the bar or on the balcony, and if you're hungry, you can fill your bellies with something from the European-influenced menu. All in a former 1930s cinema on Karlaplan, with decor that oozes Art Deco with a muted colour palette, brass elements and an old ticket counter from the venue's former incarnation.

Centrally located on Stureplan, this historic duo from the Svenska Brasserier restaurant group are true Stockholm post-work institutions. Take in the legendary atmosphere at Sturehof or sip a classic cocktail at Riche, where you can carry on the party at Lilla Baren. If you're au fait with Swedish celebs you may well spot the odd famous face here too. 

La Botanica has created a fast-paced and tasty oasis in the Westfield Mall of Scandinavia, where they serve up a huge buffet with flavours from all over the world. Tuck into hamburgers, dumplings, pizza and desserts if hunger strikes after work, or drop in for a cocktail and a round of fun activities in their game zone.

The sunny location on Hornsberg's beach, combined with colourful cocktails and a relaxed neighbourhood restaurant feel, has made Piren a popular destination for Stockholm's post-work revellers. During the summer months there are after-beach party vibes on the outdoor terrace and you can take a dip off the swimming ladder or the beach right next door.

Tre Vänner is'nt only a popular hangout for the locals of Midsommarkransen but also attracts after-work revellers from all corners of the city. And it's no surprise – the atmosphere here is always friendly, and the selection of beer is well-curated. In the summer, the outdoor seating is one of the most popular places to hang out in the area.

If you appreciate a really good wine bar, head to Odenplan, but instead of popping into Tranan or its downstairs bar, veer off next door to their sister bar, Grus Grus. They specialise in grapes of all kinds, which you can pair with small plates and snacks.

Celebrate the end of the working day in a relaxed and social atmosphere at Pitcher's in Hornsberg. Come here to socialise over a beer and some food while watching football, playing shuffleboard, or just chatting away for an hour or two.

This Nordic restaurant within the Nordic Light Hotel in the city centre serves serves wine, beer, bubbles and great cocktails. They have special prices for wine and DJ performances.

The Hard Rock Cafe has been a rocking place to grab a beer or cocktail at round off the day for almost 40 years. It's a real Stockholm institution, complete with Eighties vibes and memorabilia from Jimi Hendrix, Elvis Presley and Marilyn Manson. Food-wise, you can choose from steaks, sandwiches, classic salads and Hard Rock's signature hamburgers. 

Take a seat in the middle of Stureplan - literally - and have a drink at this seasonal outdoor bar. Open all day, from breakfast to cocktails and dinner. The atmosphere is gorgeously summery, with flowers and plants covering the bar.

There are worse ways to round off the day than with a fabulous cocktail. This award-winning cocktail bar in Stortorget in the Old Town is inspired by its premises, which were once the city's first apothecary. Take a deep dive into the world of mixology and try out some of the bar's creative cocktails, combined with bar snacks.

The cocktail menu at Bar Afterglow may be on the luxurious side, but the atmosphere is still relaxed. The idea is that you can just drop in for a drink, or spend the whole evening enjoying small dishes and hanging out by the bar. If you like well-designed environments, chances are you'll feel right at home in the pastel-coloured bar.

Pom Friterie lifts the humble chip to new heights, with flavours from all corners of the world. Alongside, they serve cocktails, wine and beer in fun, friendly surroundings. The concept is Dutch-inspired, developed in Sweden and served in stylish premises on Lästmakargatan, with neon lights and billowing drapes. l

Riggan, in Bistro Rigoletto's old premises, is a combined cocktail bar and restaurant where evenings end up in a fun house-party atmosphere. Meet up with friends over a few small plates or a main course and then move to the long bar counter or get comfy in one of the large sofas.

Kickstart your evening with Latin American flavours. La Boca Doce promises a buzzy vibe and colourful cocktails with exciting flabours. Gather together a group of pals and order a selection of grilled dishes to share if you get peckish.

If you fancy drinking Nordic/Japanese fusion cocktails while admiring the views over the city, just get yourself up to Tak Bar, Izakaya and Tak Terrassen on the fourteenth floor above Brunkebergstorg. Food and drink has a sustainable ethos. Don't miss their club nights and guest performances.

This ambitious cocktail bar within Helio, a co-working building on Grev Turegatan, is run by award-winning bartender Johan Evers along with rising star Oscar Drigoris. Drop by for a beer after work, a craft cocktail or an alcohol-free drink to combine with a light meal or a few snacks.

In 2016, Kung Carl opened a new bar by the lobby with a combination of Parisian elegance and a modern atmosphere, a stone's throw from Stureplan. This is the place to come for what is still quite a unique combination in Sweden, innovative cocktails and well-executed small dishes.

At HIGH, you can enjoy post-work drinks with panoramic views over Stockholm city, whatever the season or weather. The bar, located nine floors up in the Radisson Blu Royal Viking Hotel, is a watering hole especially for cocktail enthusiasts in the city. The drinks menu is constantly being reinvented here with new, creative elements and unique signature drinks. A simple bar menu is served with the drinks. 

This cocktail bar is inspired by Cuba but run by the Swedish Stureplansgruppen restaurant group. It's run by the same trio who are also behind Calle P and Berns - two other after-work joints that serve cocktails and a wide range of other thirst-quenching drinks. It's a perfect place to stop off after work before dinner - or to round off your evening at.

Asian Post Office, or Apo as its known colloquially, has become a popular watering hole among Stockholmers of all ages. Sophisticated businesspeople and party-hungry groups of mates all come together here after work - perhaps for their must-drink signature cocktail with Thai basil.

With their award-winning cocktail bar, Tjoget in Hornstull is a real Södermalm favourite. Groups of friends flock here to round off the day with a cocktail or something to eat. Tjoget also has a wine bar and beer café under the same roof.

What used to be Le Nom on Roslagsgatan is now a modern restaurant oozing with South American and Spanish influences. The dark green-tiled bar area is perfect for relaxing with a drink and perhaps a tasty tapa or two.

Head to Lådan for the super relaxed beer hall atmosphere, the tasty street food and carefully selected beers. Everything here is carefully thought out, from the food producers who supply their ingredients to the beers on tap. The menu consists of sliders, chicken and substantial sides, and if you don't fancy a beer, there are also Swedish spirits and natural wines in the bar.

Fond of beer? Then gather together a few like-minded friends or colleagues for a delightful post-work session. At Nya Carnegiebryggeriet in Hammarby sjöstad they brew both classic and experimental beer, which you can enjoy in the bar. If you want to go large, you can book a tour of the brewery, as well as beer tastings. During the summer months, the restaurant and bar expand with an outdoor terrace facing the water.

With Hedda Spendrup at the reins, it's not surprising this brewery restaurant knows its beer. Beer aficionados come here to combine their favourite drink with good food served in small and medium-sized dishes. Both the bar and the lounge serve up nice post-work vibes with an at-home feel. 

Browse among masses of different beers and 400 malt whiskies. Beer comes from small breweries and is definitely something for the beer connoisseurs. Their famous mussels are another reason this place could easily become a regular haunt.

As the name suggests, Retro is a real nostalgia trip to the 70s and 80s. The sports bar has several branches around Stockholm, with affordable beer and American bistro classics on the menu. Plenty of sports fanatics gather here to watch live matches, but also others who simply want to relax after a hard day's work with a hearty burger or plate of nachos.

The Bara family includes several different joints on Södermalm which attract a large after-work crowd. Relaxed pubs which suit everyone keen for a beer after work, to stay on in town and maybe have something to eat.

Golfbaren in Kristineberg and Aspudden is a real summer oasis with green minigolf courses, leafy surroundings and places to get something to eat and/or drink. Both courses are close to bathing spots - perfect for when you want to round off your post-work drink with a refreshing dip. The sister spot Swing by Golfbaren in Vasastan has a Twenties-inspired indoor course, food and cocktails and is open all year round.

At Tilt you don't need to choose between top-notch cocktails and fun activities - you'll find both here! Challenge your colleagues or friends to a game of darts, board games, shuffleboard or billiards, and when you need a pause to refuel you can order from a choice of several burgers and sides.

A wide-ranging activity centre for adventure-hungry gangs of friends and psyched-up business groups. Here, you can take part in everything from neon-lit bowling alleys to state-of-the-art golf, hunting and football simulators. Or why not chill out in the private spa area with sauna and jacuzzi? There's also a restaurant.

Combine a game of boule with some rustic French food and hire an instructor if you need one. Boulebar is great fun for novices and pros alike, and it's a popular place for both corporate fun and groups of friends.

Kungsbiljarden is right in the city centre and it's a top tip if you want to combine food, drinks and activities. Meet up and play billiards, shuffleboard and arcade games, or take a seat in the bar and borrow a board game. During the summer months there's a sunny outdoor dining area next to the water.

You'll find everything here, from activities to food and masses of beer. Invite your colleagues along to O'Learys and challenge them to a pentathlon including bowling, racing simulators and "adventure golf", for example.