Copenhagen's gay bar scene is notable for not being concentrated in one area. Unlike cities with a dedicated gay district, the bars here are spread across different neighbourhoods, reflecting a scene that has been well-integrated into the broader city for long enough that geography became less defining.

Centralhjornet as the anchor

Centralhjornet, on Kattesundet near the city centre, is the oldest gay bar in Denmark, running since 1917. It is a small, unpretentious place that functions as a proper neighbourhood bar rather than a tourist attraction. The fact that it has been operating for over a century in the same location is the point. If you visit one venue in Copenhagen it should probably be this one, not because it is the flashiest option but because it represents something real about the city's history.

The bar is easy to find from Stroget, the main pedestrian shopping street, and from the city's central metro stations. It draws a mixed crowd in terms of age and has regulars who have been coming for years alongside visitors who are there for the history.

The spread across the city

Beyond Centralhjornet, the gay bars are in different parts of the city. The centre has several, and Norrebro, the alternative neighbourhood to the northwest, has gay-friendly venues in the mix of its broader bar scene. Norrebro is worth knowing about independently: it has a young, politically engaged character, good food, and a general atmosphere that suits people who find purely tourist-oriented areas less interesting.

This distribution is a feature, not a gap. Copenhagen is compact and the metro makes cross-city movement easy. You are not committed to one neighbourhood for an entire evening. People move around.

The crowd

Copenhagen's gay bars are predominantly local in character. The city draws significantly less gay tourism than Amsterdam or Berlin, so the crowd in most venues is Danish and the atmosphere is correspondingly relaxed and neighbourhood-focused. During Copenhagen Pride in August the mix changes, with more visitors arriving from elsewhere in Scandinavia and Europe.

The scene is described by people who live there as casual and unpretentious. There is no strong circuit-bar culture or commercial entertainment format of the kind you find in larger gay scenes. The bars are bars.

The bars

    • Bearserk — Party and cruising for bears, friends and admirers in Copenhagen. Started in 2012, Bearserk hosts regular events at various gay venues including Never Mind, Jailhouse CPH and Cosy Bar. Check Bearserk’s Facebook page or website for upcoming parties and just go Bearserk!
    • Body Bio — Small, dark basement cruise club that welcomes all genders but mostly attracts gay and bisexual men.Body Bio has cabins, maze, dark room, play area and free internet café. Sauna facilities are available (extra fees apply). Cheaper entry for 40 minutes before 1am. Located a 10-minute walk from the Copenhagen Central Station.
    • Centralhjørnet — This is the oldest gay bar in Copenhagen and even in Europe. It is an easygoing gay bar with outdoor seating staging drag shows, live music & Sunday jazz sessions. Centralhjørnet has over-the-top décor, but that’s all part of the experience. On the central corner, which is homo-owned, you never know what's happening. Here you meet a mixed audience in terms of age and sexuality. Excellent shows are held every Thursday and Sunday (between October and April). Outdoor seating is available during
    • Cosy Bar — Gay bar in the heart of gay Copenhagen. With late opening hours, Cosy Bar also serves as a dance club, with live DJ and a small dance floor. The bar attracts 20-30-something crowd. Open every night from 10pm.
    • G-A-Y Copenhagen — Popular gay nightclub & bar in the heart of the city. G-A-Y Copenhagen features live DJ and a dance floor that gets busy on the weekends. Excellent drink specials. GAY Copenhagen was by the local LGBT community voted as the winner of Axgil Gay Galla "Best place to Party" award in February 2015 - after just 1 year in business!
    • Jailhouse CPH — A jail-themed basement gay bar & restaurant with uniformed bartenders and prison cell seating. It is a theme bar for gays and lesbians and others who want to get a different experience from the city tour. Jailhouse CPH often has special events on weekends, eg. Eurovision - Sailor Night - Construction - Prison Night - Bear - Oktoberfest - Army - Halloween and more ...
    • Kiss Kiss — Bear bar on two floors, with a friendly service and great atmosphere in downtown Copenhagen. Kiss Kiss serves a selection of spirits, champagne, beer, coffee, soft drinks and snacks. Open every evening from 6pm, with late opening hours at the weekend. Multilingual bar staff.
    • Masken Bar — Masken Bar is very much a Copenhagen LGBT institution. This lively, friendly music bar & café hosts regular shows and events, attracting men of all ages. Gets busy after midnight. Located a 5-minute walk from Town Hall Square.
    • Men's Bar — Copenhagen’s classic gay leather bar, but without strict dress codes. Popular with leather, bears and mature guys. Men's Bar sports a mixed clientele of young and old, vanilla as well as fetish guys. Come as you are, anything goes. Happy hour daily from 3pm to 9pm.
    • Never Mind — Late-night gay bar & nightclub in the centre of Copenhagen’s gay scene. Never Mind serves a large choice of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Smoking is allowed, and all attires are welcome. Friendly, multi-lingual staff. Open 7 days a week, with live DJ on Friday and Saturday nights.
    • Oscar — One of the most popular gay hangouts in Copenhagen. Oscar bar & cafe features modern interiors, along with cute staff and a non-smoking policy. Live DJ’s on Fridays. Outdoor terrace in good weather. Located right next to City Hall, close to many of our recommended hotels in Copenhagen.
    • Scandinavian Leather Men (SLM) Copenhagen — One of the biggest gay SM & fetish clubs in Europe. SLM Copenhagen has been in business for over 40 years! It features two bars, a large play area, wet room and dark room. This club hosts themed nights with dress codes, including leather, rubber, uniform, army, sportswear, denim and construction. Pay attention to footwear requirements or expect to be declined entry. Open on Fridays and Saturdays (sometimes Thursdays and Sundays). Check the website for details of current events. You will need
    • THROWback @ Jolene — Quirky and offbeat gay dance party in Copenhagen. THROWback is a monthly event in the effortless cool bar Jolene (named after the Dolly Parton song, one can assume). Always free entry and with a music policy that covers everything from funk, disco and R&B

Practical notes

Danish bars can serve until 5am under the right licensing, though in practice most close earlier. The scene does not peak as late as in Stockholm or Copenhagen, but it runs longer than in many northern European cities.

Prices are high. A beer runs around 70-100 DKK (9-13 EUR), cocktails considerably more. Copenhagen is not a cheap night out by any measure.

For the full Copenhagen picture, see the Gay Copenhagen Guide.