11 Unmissable Things To Do In Stockholm At Night
Stockholm is a compact city built on fourteen islands and connected by 57 bridges over the waters of Lake Mälaren and the Baltic Sea. It’s like a cluster of spectacular villages, each featuring scenic attractions, nature parks, museums, palaces, and art galleries.
You probably know it due to its majestic Royal Palace near Stockholm Central Station, the iconic Vasa Museum, or the world’s longest art gallery. But among its cultural facilities and historic buildings are eclectic bars and restaurants and an energetic nightlife scene worth exploring. But before heading out to a cocktail bar, put your bags with reliable luggage storage in Stockholm to ensure it’s safe and secured no matter how long you plan to stay out.
Perhaps, you’re working during the day and have no other time to see the city except after dark. Or, you might be visiting for the first time and want to discover more of its entertainment and nightspots. From live music and concerts to cozy pubs and bars, Stockholm is a lively city that never sleeps and remains vibrant and alive after the sun goes down. Included in the unmissable things to do in Stockholm at night are child- and family-friendly activities you can enjoy with your loved ones.
Go to an Ice Bar
Visiting an ice bar is definitely the coolest way to spend your night in Stockholm. ICEBAR Stockholm takes pride in being the world’s first permanent ice bar built from crystal-clear ice from the Torne River. It’s part of Hotel C Stockholm, providing visitors and locals an Arctic cold experience in the city centre.
Stepping into a 23°F (-5°) ice experience is like entering a winter wonderland right at the heart of Stockholm. The entire space is transformed with ice sculptures, including the seats and walls. Then you’ll get your favorite cocktail drink, but alcohol-free beverages are also available for your non-alcoholic friends.
After 45 minutes inside the town’s coolest bar, you’ll enter the restaurant for warm food. You can pick from an ice bar experience with up to a three-course dinner, suitable for children and adults.
See Live Performances at the Royal Dramatic Theatre
Founded in 1788, Sweden’s Royal Dramatic Theatre stages a range of plays in a majestic Art Nouveau building. It houses eight stages, which allows for more than a thousand shows each year. Its main stage, Stora Scenen, can hold up to 720 people, while a more intimate setting, the Lilla Scenen, has 340 seats. There’s also a stage dedicated to emerging and young actors and productions for school-aged children.
The Royal Dramatic Theatre is Sweden's national stage for great spoken drama that caters to all theater-goers. Whether you want to watch classic Shakespeare plays like Macbeth or prefer a more modern high-school play, there’s something here to keep you entertained. Watch a performance and then hit the city streets in search of tasty Stockholm street food. Grab a bite and discuss your favorite acts.
Party at the Café Opera
Café Opera is one of the country’s most celebrated and famous nightclubs you’ll find in the Royal Swedish Opera house. It features original interiors, including stuccos and chandeliers combined with a more modern bar design. It opened its door as a brasserie with a nightclub in 1980 and quickly became a hot spot for people of all ages who wanted to party and have fun.
For years, Café Opera has become a venue for celebrities, international stars, friends, families, and individuals to dance and celebrate. It’s a fantastic place to hang out, chat, meet new people, and mingle. And if you want to host a party, launch a product, or have a special event, Café Opera provides a perfect space with a unique environment to welcome up to 800 guests.
Have an Afternoon Tea at a Villa Godthem
Located on the idyllic island of Djurgården close to central Stockholm, Villa Godthem is dedicated to delivering a classic Swedish gastronomy experience in a welcoming environment. It’s an institution on its own, built in 1874 as a private home before it was transformed into an inn in 1897. Today, it’s a much-loved classic restaurant kitchen that offers everything, from the crowd's favorite plank steak to raw rocket, toast Skagen, and more.
With a charming waterfront location, Villa Godthem is also a popular event setting for weddings, anniversaries, and special events. There’s also a bar serving drinks and a selection of cocktails, beers, wines, and non-alcoholic options. It also serves afternoon tea from 12 noon to 5 pm. It allows you to pick from a variety of tea mixes, coffee, sweets, sandwiches, or even a glass of champagne while waiting for the sun to set. Enjoy your tea while you plan the rest of the evening.
Spend an Evening in a Rooftop Bar
What better way to spend your summer evening than having a drink at a cocktail bar on a rooftop? Thankfully, Stockholm has plenty of rooftop venues, from fancy rooftop bars and elegant rooftop pools to hip cocktail bars.
One of the magical entertainment venues you should check out in Sweden’s capital is Södra Teatern & Champagnebaren. It has everything you need for a night of entertainment, including live music, stages, good food, drink, and clubs. No wonder it draws a mixed crowd of tourists and visitors of all ages. In the summer months, the terrace is open, giving you unbeatable views of the city. It certainly makes a picture-perfect night for a date.
If you find yourself on the city’s southern isle, keep an eye out for Himlen. It’s an elegant cocktail bar with a sky lounge offering 360-degree panoramic views of Stockholm. Its opening hours vary, but it remains open until 3 am on Friday and Saturday, so you have a lot of time to warm up and dance all night. As well, we've got a list of some of the best rooftop bars right here.
Gather with Friends at Cadier Bar
The Cadier Bar was once a part of the French Dining Room before it was remodeled in 2006. Today, it has become an elegant bar with a great view of the harbor, the Royal Palace, and the Old Town (Gamla stan), even at night. Since its opening, the cocktail bar has received numerous awards in and out of Sweden. In fact, the most common feedback from visitors of this place is that they feel at home.
This flagship feature at the Grand Hotel in Stockholm is a great gathering spot for friends and family. It’s open every day, so whether it’s an early dinner or a late night out, your time here will undoubtedly be a meaningful one. Keep in mind, however, that reservations are accepted until 5 pm only. The dress code is smart casual, and men will need to wear long trousers after 6 pm. Also, this place is cash-free.
Discover World-class Photography at Fotografiska
Since its founding in 2010, Fotografiska has become a go-to destination for world-class photography, extensive programming, and a fresh perspective. As a leading authority in photography, Fotografiska aims to inspire the world and provides a home for modern and contemporary art in the central city. There are museums globally, but the museum in Stockholm is best experienced during the night when most live events are held.
Besides private tours and scanning through all the amazing works of photography, you can enjoy live music and DJ sessions from June to August. There’s also a shop available for those who want to add to their collection of photo arts and memoirs from famous photographers.
Catch a Show at a Royal Swedish Opera
The Royal Swedish Opera is a world-class ensemble of traditional classics and contemporary works. The opera itself has become a pillar of the European operatic scene since its inception in 1773, and the Royal Swedish Opera House is now a popular venue for different live performances. Some of these are from the Royal Swedish Ballet, Young People at the Opera, and the Royal Swedish Orchestra. This historic Opera House is not only a venue for opera performances and masked balls, but it's also a site where King Gustav III was shot in March 1792.
Despite this tragic part of the Opera House's history, it remains a must-visit destination in Stockholm, Sweden. Even children can enjoy the afternoon events, such as the regular guided tours and summer concerts that start at 5:30 pm.
From 7 pm, musicians like Eva Dahlgren provide evening entertainment. Famous plays like Don Quixote also start around this time. These and much more will no doubt give you the entertainment you need during your night in Stockholm.
Dance the Night Away at Hell’s Kitchen
If you want to party and dance until dawn, Hell’s Kitchen is an obvious choice. While most nightclubs in the city close at around 3 am, this nightclub remains wild, energetic, and euphoric until 5 am. It’s the ultimate party destination for a diverse band of customers, bringing together a local and international audience, including regulars, artists, musicians, and celebrities.
Hell’s Kitchen is a definition of a lively and delightful atmosphere. It can be easy to miss, but once you enter the area, take the upstairs and head to the retro heavy metal bar venue with some old-school design, and you’ll know you’re at the right place.
Dine and Drink at Pharmarium
Walk through the narrow cobblestone streets lined with medieval architecture, witness the lantern lights brightening the alleyways, and head to the beloved cocktail bar and restaurant in the quaint Gamla Stan. Pharmarium is a favorite spot among Stockholmers and visitors in Stortorget, the city’s oldest and main square located in the Old Town. It may not be the fanciest dining and drinking venue in the area, but it is sure to deliver an excellent culinary experience.
Pharmarium is housed in the building where the city’s first pharmacy stood, hence the bar's name. Its founder was inspired by the history of the place, so he decided to incorporate it into the interior design and concept of the restaurant. It is a relatively small place and may not give you a perfect insight into the nightlife scene in Stockholm. But, its cozy atmosphere and plenty of seating make it a fantastic mixology bar and restaurant to share dinner with a loved one or even a cocktail.
Visit Swedish Centre for Architecture and Design
The Swedish Centre for Architecture and Design (ArkDes) is a national architecture and design facility offering exhibitions, activities, and a special library with interesting collections. Admission here is free, and the museum opens every day besides Monday with varying hours depending on the day, the latest being 8 pm.
ArkDesis much more than a museum for exploring its millions of collections. It is also a study center where debates and discussions concerning the industry take place. Inside this museum, you can browse almost 4 million exhibits. Moreover, ArkDes plays an essential role for the government in conserving and cataloging the country's architecture. Therefore, their collections of design arts only grow.
If you’re fascinated by design or architecture, a visit to the Stockholm ArkDes will certainly be inspiring. As mentioned, the museum has a library that even scholars freely use. However, take note that the library has slightly different opening hours than the museum, with the latest being 6 pm.
Stockholm, Sweden at Night
Whether you’re with your friends, partner, family, or by yourself, there are endless entertainment activities and fun things to do in Stockholm at night. You’ll find many cocktail bars, clubs, pubs, and restaurants where you can enjoy a hearty dinner or your favorite beer or martini. This cultural and historic hub also features an array of landmarks and attractions to see, as well as nighttime activities during the weekend nights. In addition, there are plays, concerts, improv performances, and even walking tours for all types of travelers.
Sure, daytime is an ideal time to explore this Scandinavian capital and experience and enjoy its offerings. But there’s something about exploring it at night that will allow you to see more of the city and gain a fresh perspective when visiting Stockholm.
