Gay Stockholm enjoys a fluid integration within everyday life. Most venues are mixed, including most of the major nightlife venues, which means there is not a large gay ghetto or as many gay venues as some European cities of similar size. One benefit of this widespread acceptance is that gays can be seen in all corners of town, holding hands and freely expressing their identity.

Gay-friendly establishments are peppered liberally throughout the many neighborhoods in Stockholm, although the critical mass is in Gamlastan (Old Town) and the bohemian Södermalm district. Club Xplore spreads across 2 floors, 3 bars and an outdoor terrace, and Zipper is a new megaspot with 3 dance floors and 4 bars. Torget is a popular gay bar in Old Town with velvet drapes and crystal chandeliers, and Sunday night orbits around Patricia, an old steamship moored in Slussen.

Stockholm is particularly special in the summertime, when sunglasses are worn for more hours than not, cafés brim with life, and gays sun themselves on the rocky shores of Lake Mälaren. For more information on the hot places to go, eat, stay and see in Stockholm, check out QX, the city’s premier LGBT publication.