Out and
about in…
Östermalm, Stockholm
Text Tabitha Lasley
Stockholm’s drinking culture moves with the seasons.
In summer, people go outside to make the most of the gloriously light evenings, but as the nights draw in they plunge back indoors to drink robust red wine and tuck into hearty Swedish food. There’s nowhere better to do it this Östermalm – the city’s most elegant neighbourhood
START YOUR NIGHT… East, 13 Stureplan
What By day, East is a sleek sushi and sashimi restaurant. At night it morphs into an equally slick bar.
Who Fashion mavens, media types and musicians. Don’t let that put you off, though.
Eat Ceviche with lime, chilli and coriander
Drink Saketinis – a classic martini made with sake rather than vermouth.
MOVE ON TO… Riche, 4 Birger Jarlsgatan
What Östermalm’s chicest bar is aptly named – with its bright white walls, glass and gold fittings, there can be few places in town as lavishly decorated.
Who Stockholm’s finest flock here to see and be seen. Expect a beautiful crowd made up of moneyed Östermalm residents.
Eat Toast skagen – toast fried in butter served with prawns in mayonnaise and vendace roe.
Drink Noilly Prat and gin over apricot brandy – Sebastopols.
FINISH UP IN… Hotellet, 18 Linnégatan
What One of a new breed of restaurant/bar/clubs, the wood bar and red decor make it the perfect spot for winter drinking.
Who Popular with nine-to-fivers during the week, Friday night heralds an influx of clued-up out-of-towners and savvy locals.
Eat Mustard-seasoned crayfish on toast.
Drink A lavender cosmopolitan – Absolut Citron vodka, parfait amour and cranberry.
Don’t miss… Razzmatazz’s 7th birthday
Look out for Air, Roísín Murphy, 2manydjs, Jarvis Cocker and Princess Superstar, who’ll all be descending on Barcelona this month to celebrate the seventh anniversary of Razzmatazz.
www.salarazzmatazz.com
Cocktail corner
This month there’s only one drink worth bothering with – champagne. Drink it in a classic champagne cocktail (a sugar cube soaked with four dashes of Angostura bitters, covered with cognac and topped with Moët & Chandon). Or try it in a champagne Charlie, the drink named after Charles-Camille Heidsieck (one part apricot brandy topped with four parts Piper-Heidsieck). Unless of course you’re drinking Krug. In which case, leave it well alone – it needs no adornment. And while you’re at it, ignore any sexist maxims about pretty girls not buying it and plain girls not drinking it – they’re simply not true.
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