Between winding narrow streets and picturesque architecture, gay Stockholm is buzzing with excitement and fun. While there is no central gay district or neighborhood, there are still plenty of places for gay travelers to explore throughout the city. The rainbow flag is no stranger to the Swedes, a warm and accepting people. You’ll find the largest concentration of LGBT-specific businesses in trendy Södermalm and historic Gamla Stan. Kick off your Swedish with these five destinations and events:
Sidetrack Bar and Restaurant—Wollmar Yxkullsgatan 7, 118 50
Start out by visiting the oldest operating gay bar in Stockholm. An inviting spot to enjoy a meal and a cocktail, Sidetrack Bar and Restaurant serves Swedish cuisine in a warm, comfortable setting. Open Wednesday through Saturday, the energy picks up on weekends, as patrons prepare for nights out on the town.
King Kong—Mariatorget 1A, 118 48 Södermalm
Just a few steps away from the Mariatorget subway station, King Kong is a high energy nightclub with a distinct jungle beat whose target demographic is gay men. Weekly dance parties make this a popular destination every weekend, particularly on Saturday nights. Between the two dance floors—one for pop and dance music, another for Swedish rock music—it can get fairly hot and crowded, but that does not stop the party from getting started.
Tank—Kungsgatan 15, 111 43
Can’t get enough partying? Head over to Tank, a gay club open until 5 AM several nights of the week. Centrally located, Tank is accepting and welcoming of everybody—just as long as you are ready to have a good time! Two dance floors, an eclectic mix of musical genres, frequent visits from special guests and performers, and great drink specials set the rhythm at this Stockholm staple.
Are you a lady who loves ladies and loves to dance? Moxy is certainly the place for you. An event taking place at various locations around the city on different nights of the week, lesbians can get their groove on with thousands of women ready to dance the night away.
The largest gay pride festival in Scandinavia, Stockholm Pride has been a staple of LGBT life in Sweden since 1998. Taking place each year in late July and early August, over 600,000 march in the parade at the end of the week. Stockholm Pride features lectures, talks, seminars, and discussions, as well as parties, events, and performances. According to their website, “Stockholm Pride strives to raise awareness for LGBT+ issues, and create a safe zone for LGBT+ people and the gender expressions within the LGBT+ community. We believe that love and equality should exist everywhere.”
