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.
The best bars in the Old Town
In this guide
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Old Town's best bars
- Pharmarium – Magic and medicine
- Tweed – Classic club feel
- Mister French – Great Gatsby glamour
- Österlånggatan 17 – Friendly neighbourhood hangout
- Wirströms Pub – Irish live music pub
- Engelen – Live entertainment every evening
- Geronimo's FGT – America in Stockholm
- Ardbeg Embassy – Unique restaurant and pub concept
- Bistro Marie – Snug, cosy and welcoming
- Bar Brahe – Welcoming hotel bar
- Skeppsbar – Relaxed budget bar
- Zum Franziskaner – Swedish/German beer institution
- Skeppsbron 10 – Creative and fun
- Cong – Food and drinks from Vietnam
- The Liffey – Irish
- Tritonia – All about craft beer
Old Town's best bars
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.
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Stortorget 7, Old Town
- Website • 08-20 08 10
- Read more on Thatsup
Classic club feel
If traditional English gentlemen's clubs are up your street, we recommend a visit to Tweed. Cocktails, wine and craft beers are served among Chesterfield armchairs, plush velvet and vintage suitcases. A humidor with hand-rolled Cuban cigars is the icing on the cake. There's also a well-stocked wine cellar stocking mainly wines from classic wine producing areas. Some, but not all, of the armchairs, can be reserved if you want to be sure of a comfy spot.
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Lilla Nygatan 5, Old Town
- Website • 08-506 400 82
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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.
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Tullhus 2, Skeppsbrokajen, Old Town
- Website • 08-20 20 95
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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.
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Österlånggatan 17, Old Town
- Website • 08-557 773 00
- Read more on Thatsup
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.
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Stora Nygatan 13, Old Town
- Website • 08-21 28 74
- Read more on Thatsup
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.
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Kornhamnstorg 59 B, Old Town
- Website • 077-182 68 26
- Read more on Thatsup
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.
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Stora Nygatan 5, Old Town
- Website • 08-20 57 93
- Read more on Thatsup
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.
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Västerlånggatan 68, Old Town
- Website • 08-791 90 90
- Read more on Thatsup
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.
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Stora Nygatan 28, Old Town
- Website
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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.
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Bredgränd 4, Old Town
- Website • 08-128 812 34
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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.
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Skeppsbron 44, Old Town
- Website • 08-20 90 89
- Read more on Thatsup
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.
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Skeppsbron 44, Old Town
- Website • 08-411 83 30
- Read more on Thatsup
Creative and fun
They don't just serve innovative, delicious food at Skeppsbron 10, the bar also has plenty to offer guests who appreciate the good things in life. They've put together a dynamic selection of some of the world's best wines, along with creative, flavour-packed cocktails. Drop by for a drink before dinner, or stay put in the bar and enjoy a few snacks with your drinks. During the summer months you can take a seat on the outdoor dining area with views over the waters of the Old Town.
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Skeppsbron 10, Old Town
- Website • 08-24 33 70
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Food and drinks from Vietnam
Cong has opened up a design gem of a restaurant in historic premises in the Old Town. Old brick arches meet modern pared-back Nordic/Asian decor in a stylish mix. Underneath there's a bar where they serve selected beers (such as Singaporean Tiger) as well as cocktails and refreshing natural wines.
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Kornhamnstorg 51, Old Town
- Website • 08-23 32 10
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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.
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Stora Nygatan 40, Old Town
- Website • 08-21 80 25
- Read more on Thatsup
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.
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Stora Nygatan 20, Old Town
- Website • 08-10 00 03
- Read more on Thatsup