With such a short summer in Stockholm, it’s no wonder locals flock to the rooftops to soak up every last inch of sunlight.
There are lots of rooftop bars to choose from across the city, from classy cocktail joints to casual craft beer hangouts, and most of them offer beautiful views over Stockholm and its waterways. These bars aren’t always easy to spot when you’re wandering around at street level, but we’re here to help you out.
Tak Park at Urban Deli
Sveavägen 44
Tak Park is all the rage right now, and is definitely worth a visit if you’re looking for good views and good vibes in central Stockholm. This place is up above the Hötorget branch of Urban Deli, a hip supermarket and restaurant that’s a big hit with hungry tourists and well-to-do Stockholmers.
Open all summer, the sprawling roof park on the ninth floor guarantees 360-degree panoramas of lovely Norrmalm. The roof terrace is a nice place to relax when the sun’s out – expect sheltered wooden walkways and lots of leafy vegetation. There’s also a covered bar area that does decent, summery beers and healthy (if expensive) nibbles and salads in plastic pots.
You can even order food and drink without leaving your seat – simply scan in the QR code, order and pay from the online menu and your food will be brought to you. Open: Daily 11.30am–10pm.
Tak Bar
Brunkebergstorg 4
With a distinctly Japanese vibe, Tak Bar (literally ‘roof bar’) is one of the best rooftop bars in all of Stockholm. Located on the 14th floor between Hotel At Six and the Hobo Hotel, it does a good line in raw food (think sashimi and zingy oysters) and also offers fantastic views.
Tak is no ordinary hotel terrace; this is a new sipping-and-staring experience in its own right. Come for the food – a simple but elegant fusion of Nordic and Japanese – and stay for the deliciously creative cocktails, sake, beer and wine. Live DJs play nightly from Thursday–Saturday. The terrace is open: Mon–Saturday from 1pm–late.
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Winery Hotel
Rosenborgsgatan 20
Up above the swanky Winery Hotel near the Friends Arena, this cool terrace opens to the public in the summer. This is the sort of location to grab your cocktail and a pool lounger early, bagging a good spot for one of the live DJ sets.
As the name suggests, this hotel is twinned with a winery in Tuscany and even has its own wine shop, so be sure to try a glass of the house Winery Red. The heated pool is for guests only, but if you’re feeling like you want to splurge (special occasion?), you can book a day room. Anyone can book a superior room from 11am to 9pm for around 800 SEK, which includes room access, bathrobes, slippers and sweet swimming in the rooftop pool.
NB: In 2020, the Winery rooftop terrace and pool is only open to hotel residents, but if you fancy a splurge rooms here start at 1500 SEK a night.
Slakthuset
Slakthusgatan 6
Once a slaughterhouse, Slakthuset reopened in 2015 with a wildly popular dancefloor – and its electronic beats have barely stopped since. This classic roof terrace boasts 600 sq m of wooden deck, with unbeatable views of the Globen arena. Come for the cocktails, then stay for the music events (they go on until the wee hours). The roof terrace is open Tuesday–Saturday 4pm–10pm: check here for the music events schedules.
Enzo’s
Långholmsgatan 15 B
Enzo’s screams casual Italian, offering as much pizza, pasta and football as you can cram into a single afternoon. This Italian sports bar also has a small roof terrace, so if you’re looking for somewhere to unwind after work and cheer on your team over a pint, hit up this little trattoria in Södermalm.
NB: In the summer of 2020, the roof terrace is closed: check here for the latest re-opening times.
Kung Carls Bakficka
Norrlandsgatan 28
Class it up on the roof terrace at Kung Carls Bakficka, a narrow and hidden stretch of outdoor terrace just large enough for your intimate birthday party or special event.
Here you can sip cava at your leisure, watching the sun set over Stockholm’s iconic skyline. Normally reserved for groups of 20–30 (dinner party, anyone?) it’s best to call beforehand to check availability. There’s also a classy hotel here if you fancy staying the night.
The Nest at Downtown Camper Hotel by Scandic
Brunkebergstorg 9,
There are more great views from the Nest cocktail bar on top of the Downtown Camper hotel in the centre of the city. The roof terrace here is home to a wellness centre, comprising one of Stockholm’s best rooftop infinity pools, heated to a toasty 38C, with a sunbathing area, gym and sauna.
Access to the pool and wellness facilities is free for guests: non-guests can book a session from 3–5.30pm or 5.30pm–8pm for 245 SEK. The cocktail bar is open to all: Sun & Mon 3–8pm; Tues–Sat 3–10pm.
Dramatenterrassen
Nybrogatan 2
Dramaten’s Terrace is a delightful roof space if you want to enjoy lunch with gorgeous views of Stockholm’s waterways. The vibe is stylish but casual, and, like most of Stockholm now, it’s cash-free (so bring your card).
Lunch specials are usually Swedish fare with a bit of flair – from roast pork to shrimp salad. Live DJs drop from Thursday–Saturday from 9pm–1am. With close to 100 seats and marvellous views over Nybrokajen and Strandvägen, there are worse places to spend a summer day in Stockholm.
NB: The Dramatatenterrassen is closed for summer 2020, but should be back up-and-running in 2021: check the website for the latest.
Kungliga Operan
Strömgatan 14
Head upstairs at Stockholm’s opera house, where there are two summer roof terraces, both with equally good views over the castle and the waterfront.
The Guldterrassan is at the front of the opera house looking out over Gustav Adolfs Torg and serves snacks, salads and pastries – plus, of course, a good choice of drinks. The Strömterrassen is more of restaurant – but with a mean cocktail list too. Both re-open on August 17th 2020.
Gondolen
Stadsgården 6
It’s a bit touristy, admittedly, but the views over Slussen, Lake Mälaren and the Gröna Lund theme park are definitely something to write home about.
The food is fairly decent, the drinks reliable, but it’s the view that most people come for. This place rests on a rocky outcrop high above one of the busiest places in Stockholm, so be sure to bring sturdy shoes for the steep walk up to lookout point.
NB: The Gondolen is currently closed for refurbishment. It’s due to re-open in August 2022.
Solstugan
Snoilskyvägen 37
It’s a bit off the beaten path, but if you love mingling with the locals, or just want to get away from the hubbub of central Stockholm and save a few kronor in the process, head across the water to Solstugan on the quieter island of Kungsholmen.
Located in the Kristineberg area, this casual bar and restaurant is all about live music, fish and chips, shrimp open sandwiches and yummy halloumi burgers, without any of the pretence that troubles other terrace bars in Stockholm. Open daily throughout the summer 11am–10/11pm.
