Stockholm's gay bars are mostly in Sodermalm, with the SoFo area (south of Folkungagatan) being the main cluster. The neighbourhood is easy to reach on the tunnelbana to Medborgarplatsen. From there the relevant bars are within walking distance of each other, which means you can move between several across an evening without planning anything complicated.

What the SoFo bar scene looks like

The bars here are not enormous. Stockholm's gay nightlife is not the scaled-up circuit of Berlin or Amsterdam. What exists is more neighbourhood in character: places where people know each other, where the crowd is local-heavy except during Pride week in summer, and where the atmosphere is relaxed rather than performative.

Swedish licensing allows bars to serve until 3am, and on weekends many do. The scene runs late by Scandinavian standards. Bars start to fill properly after 10pm, with the busiest period generally from midnight onwards.

In summer, particularly around Pride (late July or early August), the city changes character. Outdoor terraces open up, the long daylight hours mean people are still active late into the evening, and the mix of locals and international visitors shifts the feel of even familiar venues.

Mixing locals and tourists

Outside of Pride, Stockholm's gay bars are mostly local. The city does not attract the volume of gay tourism that Amsterdam or Berlin do, so you are more likely to be among Swedes than among a large international crowd. This is not a drawback. The regulars at these venues are easy to talk to and English is universally spoken.

During Pride week the mix changes substantially. The venues get much busier, a higher proportion of visitors arrives from elsewhere in Europe and beyond, and the general atmosphere shifts towards something more festive and outward-looking.

The bars

    • B1: AN — All genders, 18 years and over, Gay/bi/queer Monday is a workday for larger groups (call them if you want to visit on Monday).
    • Bitter Pills — Bitter Pills is a bar/cafe in Stockholm.
    • Gröna Lund — Bus 67 will drop you off at Gröna Lund. Get off at the Liljevalchs/Gröna Lund bus stop. Another option is to hop on the tram nr 7 from Kungsträdgården to Djurgården. To find out when and where tram & buses run, go to SL's traffic information. You can also take the Metro Red Line to Karlaplan and walk from there. The walk will take you around 20 minutes.
    • King Kong — King Kong is a gay club in Stockholm. (KING KONG KLUBB) It was opened in 2005 and since then, it became one of the most popular gay venues in Swedish capital. There are many events organized in King Kong. Follow King Kong on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Club_King_Kong
    • La Isla — La Isla is nightclub in Stockholm suburb of Kungsholmen. It is gay-friendly and there are many party events in this club each weeknight. The music is mostly latin and salsa. Mixed crowd, but you have to be at least 23 years old to enter this club.
    • Le Bon Palais - Candy — One of the biggest gay clubs in Stockholm. Open every friday from 11pm to 4am. 20+ years
    • Mälarpaviljongen — On Saturday April 2 Mälarpaviljongen opens for the season. This is the place if you are looking for an atmospheric, cozy local restaurant and high-spirited bar with great music and people. It also happens to one of the hottest gay spots in town! Overlooking Lake Mälaren this is a relaxed, green haven where you can chill out over a glass of wine, lovely lunch or just enjoy a coffee & cake after a pleasant walk along Norr Mälarstrand Promenade. On weekdays we serve lunc
    • Manhattan Biograf — Manhattan is the obvious porn club in Stockholm, for both Stockholmers and tourists. It should be an exciting place to pick up. The place at Hantverkargatan in Stockholm is designated Stockholm's best porn club by Porrguiden. The premises are lazy and kitty and the ambience and atmosphere are mysterious and exciting. A bit tickling and annoying, just eager and sinful, maximum excitement and exciting. It's going to be nice, anonymous and spontaneous to meet for six,
    • Patricia — he old ship Patricia by Söder Mälarstrand boasts seven bars: five indoors and two outdoors (open in summer); a restaurant and a nightclub. The music ranges from top hits to pop, disco and rock, schlager and covers bands. The Sunday club started 20 years ago and is still incredibly popular with Stockholm’s gay scene.
    • Side Track — Sidetrack Bar & Restaurant is a vibrant, popular gay bar and restaurant located in Wollmar Yxkullsgatan 7, Stockholm. Very friendly staff and atmosphere.
    • SLM Stockholm — SLM (Scandinavian Leather Men) is a nightclub for men only. Dress code is leather, uniform or rubber. SLM Stockholm is in turn part of the Nordic/Baltic organization Top of Europe (ToE) which includes the clubs in Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Iceland and Estonia. The association is also part of the European Confederation of Motorcycle Clubs (ECMC) which is an organization for non-commercial leather and fetish clubs in Europe.
    • Stay Bar — Götgatan 99, 116 62 Stockholm
    • The Secret Garden — The Secret Garden is gay nightclub, bar and restaurant (during the day). It is located in Gamla Stan, Stockholm.
    • Torget Bar — One of Stockholms oldest Gay Bar & Restaurant Torget opened in November 2000, which means we´re celebrating our 15th anniversary. Located in Gamla Stan [The Old Town] next to the subway station. Come and join us for drinks or some good old fashioned homemade food & cocktails prepared by our talented chefs and bartenders. DJ´s every Friday.

Practical notes

Prices are high. A beer at most venues runs around 90-120 SEK. Cocktails are 180-230 SEK or more. Stockholm does not apologise for this and there is no budget workaround. The quality is generally good and the venues are well-run.

The tunnelbana stops around midnight on weekdays and runs later on weekends. After the metro stops, taxis and ride-hailing apps cover the gap. Bolt and Uber both operate in Stockholm.

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