The LGBTQ+ guide to Stockholm's best gay venues

Mälarpaviljongen is a favourite Stockholm summer spot and a well-known gay hangout with a gorgeous floating jetty and pavilion. You can sit here, eat, sip wine, party and enjoy one of the city's most awesome waterfront locations. Count on a friendly, flirty atmosphere.

Urban Deli was named restaurant/bar of the year at the QX gala in 2015 and was one of two official Pride festival restaurants that year. The inclusive philosophy is combined here with an organic mindset and it's a buzzy place to hang out whether you're gay or straight.

From Wednesday to Saturday, the party atmosphere's at its peak in Hornstull. The Blue Oyster hosts drag bingo, drag queens, and DJs. There's no doubt about the bar's popularity – in 2022, The Blue Oyster was named the “best place of the year” by QX.

This well-known bar and restaurant welcomes everyone and all. Hang out, listen to music, drink cocktails, tuck into food and sit out on the outdoor dining area. The name means "The Heart of Södermalm" and Söders hjärta's owners Niclaes and Christian proudly ensure that this is a place full of heart.

Open-minded and slightly hidden gaybar by Mariatorget with a restaurant, lively club nights and a flirty atmsposphere. Side Track is in the cellar right next door to Half Way Inn and is a popular watering hole for the city's queer crowd and everyone with a non-judgemental attitude.

Every Wednesday, the Sidenkällaren's function rooms transform into the gay bar BLOW, a fun space where everyones welcome, although gay culture takes centre stage. Their events calendar includes everything from quizzes to karaoke, drag shows, and speed dating – or 'speedgayting' as it's called here. The evening's theme varies from week to week, so keep an eye on their Instagram for information on upcoming events.

You'll find this gay-friendly spot on Kornhamnstorg, a snug restaurant and bar which transforms into a lively nightclub later on. Open all days of the week, they also have a small "secret garden" if you prefer a more peaceful pace.

A popular neighbourhood restaurant on Kungsholmen which is just as popular among the gay crowd. Spisa hos Helena serves a selection of Swedish and European food for lunch and dinner. Lots of people come for the lunch and relaxed atmosphere.

Eat small dishes and drink microbrewed beer from their own brewery at Whippet Lab in Skanstull. The concept focuses on social justice, which means they arrange events with organisations working against homophobia, sexism, racism and other injustices.

Leather, rubber, uniforms, skinhead or sports gear - SLM on Mariatorget is the gay club for men with fetishes. They arrange pub evenings, club nights and fetish evenings.

Sundays at Patricia draw in a huge gay crowd during the summer months, when the boat transforms into a floating gay club with a disco, bar and slightly lower prices than usual in the restaurant. The party goes on until 5am.

Once a month, Hera puts on a club for all lesbian and queer women over 21 years old. Various DJs play during the evening and there are often surprises. All the security and bar staff who work on the club nights are female or non-binary. Bigger, better and even more lesbian - as they put it themselves.

According to the club organisers themselves, this is the "best gay club north of Ibiza" and if that sounds attractive just get yourself along to Tolv Stockholm at the weekend. They play everything from pop and 90s hits to hiphop, R&B and techno, and guest DJs and drag queens make regular appearances. 

This popular summer club in Skanstull has drawn in the city's club kids who appreciate late-night parties and great DJs and they've hosted several Pride festivals. Even if it's not a purely gay club, the atmosphere is guaranteed gay-friendly.

In the middle of Stortorget in the Old Town you'll find this big-hearted café with a warm and welcoming living room feel. If you're hungry for something substantial they serve a soup of the day and fresh sandwiches made to order. In the summer you can sit outside in one of the best people-watching spots in the Old Town.