Stockholm’s men — tall and muscular in stature, endowed with meticulously defined jaw lines, and baby soft blond hair — will take your breath away. They seem to grace every corner of the regal city, giving new meaning to gay Stockholm’s slogan, “Take a liking to a Viking.” Stockholm, one of the world's most beautiful capitals, is built on 14 islands connected by 57 bridges, with handsome buildings, green parks, and water all around -- by far the most pristine of all Scandinavian cities. On every corner there’s another fairy tale setting, and perhaps another Prince Charming.

Spring’s the time when the layers come off in tandem with the rise of the perpetual sun. From May to September, you can watch the gladiators jogging over the bridges that connect the vast archipelago and lose yourself in long ambles through the gingerbread streets of Gamla Stan (Stockholm’s Old Town). By day, visitors and locals are spoiled for choice, with charming boat rides through the archipelago, countless picnic spots through the “European Green Capital” and visits to the city’s first-class attractions: the Kungliga Slottet (Royal Palace), the Vasamuseet (Royal Warship), the open-air Skansen Museum, the National Museum of Art and Carl Milles’ sculpture opus, Millesgarden.

When the weather warms up, the Stockholm party rages seven nights a week. The gay community here is out, loud, and proud. Stockholm Pride, a week of spirited partying, is usually held at the end of July and the beginning of August. The Viking Bears have a full schedule of weekly nights out, and special party events listed on their website.

 

Getting here

Stockholm's Arlanda International Airport is about 26 miles from the city. The Arlanda Express high-speed train service departs every every 15 minutes from two airport stations: Arlanda South (Terminals 2, 3 and 4) and Arlanda North (Terminal 5) Tracks 1 and 2, to arrive in 20 minutes at Stockholm Central Station. There are also buses and taxis available.

Getting around

Stockholm has an excellent public transportation system. The subway and buses can get you anywhere you want to go, and tickets between the two are interchangeable. See the SL website for details in English.  To do as the locals do, bike around the city, this is a city made for it. See Stockholm City Bikes.

Currency and Money

Sweden’s currency is the krona. It is not among the Eurozone countries, but many places here accept euros.

 

Media and resources

QX is the Swedish gay magazine, printed in Swedish but with a lot of English, especially on their website where they have good listings for all the Scandinavian countries.

See the website of the Stockholm Visitors Board for what to do and see.

For some hotels and guesthouse, and some restaurant suggestions, plus museums/galleries and performance venues, see our gay Stockholm map & listings pages.

 

Going out 

Swedish alcohol licensing laws require many bars to serve food. Several places go the extra mlle to make it good quality while they're at it. Some clubs admit those 18-up but others bar anyone under 23 --check ahead on club websites (follow our links).

B1:an (Bondegatan 1C), gay-friendly tapas bar, cocktails, Spanish wines, brunch.

Babs Kok & Bar (Birger Jarlsgatan 37), gay-friendly international bistro food and drinks; ribs, Texas chili, and Swedish fare, wide selection of wines.

Candy at Le Bon Palais (Barnhusgatan 12), Friday night 20+ gay dance nights, Schlager, R'n'B and House music.

Glory at Berns Hotel (Näckströmsgatan 8, Berzelii Park), mixed gay-friendly Wednesdays and Summer Sunday parties until 4am; pop music, a dash of house and RnB.

Honey at Magenta Club (Regeringsgatan 61), summer 2014 Saturday gay dance parties for ages 23+ on two dance floors.

King Kong at Guldapan (Mariatorget 1a), Friday and/or Saturday gay/lesbian dance night, with Schlager/Pop music, mixed men/women.

Mälarpaviljongen (Norr Mälarstrand 64), gay popular summertime lakeside cafe, floating pontoon terrace bar.

Nagg ( Pontonjärgatan 28), former Göken gay restaurant & bar on Kungsholmen Island; Tuesday-Saturday dinner

Patricia (Stadsgårdskajen 152), floating restaurant and bar on converted lightship, Sunday night drag shows, pop and schlager music, young gay crowd.

Sidetrack (Wollmar Yxkullsgatan 7), gay restaurant, regular guy beer-drinkers bar, early stop for SLM leather men and bears, underwear parties.

SLM (Wollmar Yxkullsgatan 18), Scandinavian Leather Men, leather, rubber, fetish, uniform party nights, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, dress code, men-only, 18-plus.

Södra Teatern (Mosebacke torg 1-3), theater, performance art, music, comedy, dance, circus, film - home to Hootchy Kootchy Club periodic, experimental, extravagant, drag burlesque club nights: "nothing is too much, too big or too odd."

Switch (Lästmakargatan 8), popular Saturday night 18+ gay dance club, 3 dance floors playing Schlager, R'n'B and House music - closing party August 1, 2014 (building sold).

Torget (Mälartorget 13, Gamla Stan), gay restaurant and bar, glamorous decadence, kitchy movies, home-style food, mostly men later in the evenings; weekend DJs.

Wonk Stockholm (Kungsgatan 15, Sturplan), Wednesdays and Saturdays 10pm-3am or 5am gay/mixed dance club, bartender hunks. Also Saturdays at Amiralsgatan 23, Malmo with two dance floors and karaoke lounge. Special August 2nd Pride Stockholm 18+ dance party at Kristall, Kungsgatan 56.

Zipper Stockholm (Dalagatan 43), Saturday gay nightclub, new Vanadisplan location, two dance floors, three bars, theme nights, 18-plus, until 3am.

 

Sex clubs and video stores

The Basement (Bondegatan 1, Södermalm), 24-hour adult video store/cinema and cruise locale, DVDs for sale or rent, private cabins.

Manhattan (Hantverkargatan 49, Kungsholmen), non-stop porn videos and m2m cruising, several screens, dark rooms, glory holes, noon to 6am daily.

San Francisco (Roslagsgatan 25), sex shop, video cinema, cabins, cruising, glory holes, cafe.

US Video (Regeringsgatan 76), straight and gay adult video DVD store, magazines, toys, cruising, cabins, cinema lounges, open 24-hours every day.