Copenhagen has a great nightlife. It is well-attended by locals as well as foreigners, so you will meet all sorts of people when going out. However, some venues are better than others. If you are into the bar scene, check our list of the best bars in Copenhagen here.
We have sorted the bars into a few different categories so that you can easily find the ones that suit your style. Many bars specialize in something – it can be particular drinks or themes – and this gives the Copenhagen nightlife a lot of variation.
In this article, we are focusing on special bars where you can get unique, top-notch experiences. If you simply want to go out to get drunk, that is very easy, just take a walk at night and find one of the many bars or nightclubs with happy hour or cheap shots. You can also do as most tourists do and simply visit some of the tourist bars on Nyhavn.
However, if you want a more refined experience, continue reading below…
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Bars in Copenhagen city centre
When you go out in Copenhagen, there are some areas that are better than others. The top three areas would be:
- Indre By (also known as København K)
- Nørrebro (also known as København N)
- Vesterbro (also known as København V)
In these three areas, there are plenty of nice bars. You will also find some solid venues in other parts of the city, such as in Østerbro and Amager, but the areas listed above are certainly where you will find the best bars.
Here is a quick list of highly popular bars in central Copenhagen:
- Mikkeller
- Brewers Inc.
- Brus
- Nørrebro Bryghus
- Kølsters Tolv Haner
- Strøm Bar
- Lidkoeb
- Ruby
- The Barking Dog
- Nimb Bar
- The Bird & The Churchkey
- Gensyn
- Paloma
- Vinhanen
- Dalle Valle
These are probably the most interesting bars to visit in Copenhagen.
In the sections below, we will categorize some of these bars and describe them in detail.
Beer bars in Copenhagen
Mikkeller is a micro-brewery with its headquarter in Copenhagen. The brewery has opened its own bars. There are three of them in Copenhagen at the following addresses:
- Refshalevej 169B, 1432 København K
- Viktoriagade 8, 1655 København V
- Stefansgade 35, kld, 2200 København N
The first one on Viktoriagade opened in 2010 and has become a big success since. The Mikkeller brewery is considered to be the best micro-brewery in Denmark and has also gained recognition abroad. If you want to enjoy a nice, high-quality beer, we certainly recommend you go to one of the Mikkeller bars.
Brewers Inc. is a craft beer bar that also serves some very good beers. This bar is located in the borough of Nørrebro which is quite central. It’s a relatively new and modern place (founded in 2016) but it has already become one of the top bars in Copenhagen. The Brewers Inc. bar has a decent selection of beers, and you can also get cider, spirits and snacks. It’s not as loud as other bars in Copenhagen. There is more of an emphasis on sitting down and actually enjoying the beer. There isn’t too much space inside, so if you plan to visit during the weekend, it can be a good idea to make a booking in advance – do it here.
The bar is located at the following address: Gormsgade 25, 2200 København N
Brus is another really cool bar that actually looks more like a restaurant. The bar has its own brewery and serves some great specialized beers – there are over 20 beers on the menu card, and you will also be able to order cocktails. It’s not a party-bar but rather a place where you go with friends, book a table, and sit down for a talk. They have outdoor seating which is nice if you visit Copenhagen in the summer.
The Brus bar is located at Guldbergsgade 29F, 2200 København N
Nørrebro Bryghus was founded in 2003 and is a legendary venue in relation to the Danish beer culture. It is a brewery and a bar at the same time, so you can be sure that the beers are original. The beers are inspired by brewing methods from the US, Belgium, Germany, and the UK. At times, there are beer tasting events at the brewery, and you get to taste the beer immediately after it has been brewed. But you can also just visit the bar for a night out. Food is also served at Nørrebro Bryghus, and each dish is made specifically so that it compliments the beer (and not the other way around)!
Visit Nørrebro Bryghus at Ryesgade 3, 2200 København N
Blue Raven is a bar located on Amager which is basically southern Copenhagen. It’s a place that beer lovers will enjoy since Blue Raven has more than 60 different beers on the menu. You will find everything from alcohol-free beers to really heavy ones – and everything in between! The prices are alright when we consider the high quality, and if you have trouble deciding what to get, the bartenders usually let you try a sip of some different beers before you place your order.
You can visit Blue Raven at Drogdensgade 22, 2300 København S
Cocktail bars in Copenhagen
Strøm Bar is one of the most famous cocktail bars in Copenhagen. It has a capacity for about 100 guests and this is the place to go if you want high-class gourmet drinks.
The bar opened back in 2012. Its name “Strøm” means wave or electricity in Danish, and it took this name since the drinks are inspired by cultural waves from all around Europe. It has an Art Deco style and the interior gives off a cool 1920s vibe. On the menu you will find classic cocktails as well as modern experimental drinks. Strøm Bar has been listed as one of the top cocktails bar in the world on several occasions. Drinks are expensive there, but fully worth it if you want a unique experience!
Address: Niels Hemmingsensgade 32, 1153 København K
Lidkoeb is another popular bar. It is split into two sections: The top floor is a whisky bar, while the bottom two floors serve cocktails. Lidkoeb has a solid menu with many different drinks. They are pricy but fully worth it. You can also get snacks such as nuts and olives – both are nice to get along with the cocktails. The venue has a distinctly Danish style, and it feels quite traditional. Ideally, you should book a table in advance. It is a popular place, so it’s good to be on the safe side. Lidkoeb closes somewhat early (usually at 1 or 2 am) so it is the kind of place you visit early in the evening before moving on to other venues later in the night.
Address: Vesterbrogade 72B, 1620 København
Ruby is run by the same people who run Lidkoeb. It’s another very popular bar in central Copenhagen where you can get some tasty cocktails. The vibe is also right on point. It is frequented by many locals – and tourists usually end up liking Ruby as well.
Address: Nybrogade 10, 1203 København K
Cheap bars in Copenhagen
Let’s face it, it can be very expensive to go out drinking in Copenhagen. Many bars have expensive prices, especially the ones we have described so far in this article.
If you want to find more affordable venues (while still getting a quality experience) try checking out some of the places below.
Copenhagen is known for its brown bodegas, called De Brune Bodegaer. You will find them around the city and they generally have very low prices compared to the competitors.
Vinhanen is a comfy wine bar. As you would expect, this bar specializes in wine, but you can also get beers and cocktails. A glass of high-quality wine will cost less than 10 dollars/euros here, and you can also buy entire bottles which is a great option if you go with company. Prices are very good at Vinhanen compared to other bars, so it is a great place to visit.
Dalle Valle is a chain with over 15 bars/cafés spread across Denmark. The chain present in Copenhagen as well, and it is a great place to go. You can get a meal there, you can get nice drinks, and it has a bit of everything. Dalle Valle has a concept where it mostly functions as a café during the day and as a bar at night. After 8 pm, Dalle Valle serves cocktails where you can get two for just 100 DKK (around 15 USD/EUR). Furthermore, it’s a great place to eat, and on Saturdays, Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays between 4 pm and 10 pm, everything listed on the à la carte menu is half price!
Nightclubs and bars where you can dance
There are many bars where you can dance in Copenhagen. Check out Bremen, Jolene or Søpavillonen. Also, don’t miss nightclubs such as Chateau Motel and Culture Box!
You will find high-end nightclubs as well as basic ones. They are generally easy to find if you go out late at night and follow the sound. To get more tips, read our full article about Copenhagen’s nightlife.