Looking for a truly great bar in Östermalm? Here are five of the neighborhood’s most talked-about bars for cocktails, atmosphere, and nights worth remembering. Updated for 2026.
Lucy’s Flower Shop
There are bars, and then there’s Lucy’s Flower Shop.
The concept is simple: you’re not supposed to find it unless you already know where to look. The entrance on Birger Jarlsgatan reveals nothing, and that’s exactly the point. You step through what looks like an abandoned flower shop and head downstairs into a basement space glowing in purple and red light, with an intimate atmosphere and a bar counter that somehow keeps you there all night.
It’s easy to understand why Lucy’s landed on the World’s 50 Best Bars list and was also ranked the best bar in the Nordics by the international drinks platform Difford’s Guide. The cocktail menu is compact and carefully curated. Every drink is built around distinct flavor combinations using natural ingredients. Think birch, sea buckthorn, wild roses, and lingonberries. Nothing is accidental.
Our favorite here is Rum and Plum, a cocktail made with plum eau-de-vie, umeshu, and walnut bitters that’s almost impossible to describe properly. It’s complex without ever becoming difficult, and it lingers long after the glass is empty. It’s always the drink we recommend to first-time visitors.
Book a table in advance, especially on weekends. Walk-ins are welcome, but the venue is small and the reputation is big.
Address: Birger Jarlsgatan 20, 114 34 Stockholm
Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 5:00 PM–1:00 AM
Website: lucysstockholm.se
Stjärtilleriet
Hidden inside the 18th-century courtyard of the Swedish Army Museum in Östermalm is one of Stockholm’s most entertaining bars.
Stjärtilleriet is the mischievous little sibling of the restaurant Artilleriet, and they take the fact that they don’t take themselves seriously very seriously.
The name is a joke, the menu is packed with wordplay, and the entire concept is intentionally playful. But that’s only the surface. Behind the humor is a serious and highly creative bartender in Hugo Öhrn, whose culinary background influences cocktails that often border on the experimental. This is where you’ll find drinks you’ve never seen on a menu before- and that’s exactly the point.
Our favorite is the Cocktail Omakase, where the bartenders choose your drinks based on your personal taste. That’s the real fun of a place like Stjärtilleriet: you never quite know what you’re getting, but it usually turns out better than expected.
During summer, the outdoor courtyard opens up, becoming one of the best places in Östermalm to sit outside on a warm evening.
Stjärtilleriet is also dog-friendly, in case that happens to matter.
Address: Artillerigatan 13, 114 51 Stockholm
Opening hours: Open daily from 11:00 AM–1:00 AM
Website: restaurangartilleriet.se
Guldbaren at Nobis Hotel
If you want an evening that feels more like being in a European capital city, Guldbaren is the right address.
The bar is located inside the five-star Nobis Hotel at Norrmalmstorg, just steps away from Östermalmstorg. The interior, designed by architectural trio Claesson Koivisto Rune, is one of the most beautiful in Stockholm. The walls and ceiling are covered in gold mirrors, the bar counter is inspired by yellow onyx, and the lighting is exactly as dim as it should be.
It’s a place buzzing with many languages. Östermalm attracts international guests, entrepreneurs, and expats, and Guldbaren is somewhere they quickly discover. The atmosphere is refined without feeling stiff, and the cocktail menu changes with the seasons while drawing inspiration from around the world.
Our favorite way to spend an evening here is to begin with a glass of champagne at the bar before moving into the large atrium lounge, which Nobis calls “Stockholm’s living room.” The ceiling rises 28 meters high, and the room is filled with sofas and lounge seating. It’s one of the best meeting spots in the city, whether for a business conversation or a Saturday night with old friends.
Address: Norrmalmstorg 2–4, 111 46 Stockholm
Phone: +46 8 614 10 00
Opening hours:
Monday–Thursday: 5:00 PM–1:00 AM
Friday–Saturday: 4:00 PM–1:00 AM
Sunday: 5:00 PM–12:00 AM
Website: nobishotel.se
A Bar Called Gemma
From the outside, it doesn’t look like much. A discreet venue tucked inside an office building on Grev Turegatan, close to Stureplan.
But once you step inside, you’re greeted by dim lighting, cozy booths, and a bar team that clearly knows exactly what they’re doing.
A Bar Called Gemma is run by Johan Evers and Oscar Drigoris, two of Östermalm’s most celebrated bartenders. The bar opened in 2019 and was quickly recognized as one of Stockholm’s most exciting additions to the cocktail scene.
What separates Gemma from many other cocktail bars is the feeling that everyone is welcome, regardless of what they order. Want a strong cocktail with unusual ingredients? Of course. A non-alcoholic drink in the middle of the day? Equally welcome.
Our favorite is the signature cocktail made with Bombay Sapphire Gin, sake, pistachio, ginger, and citrus. It’s fresh, slightly nutty, and perfectly balanced- exactly how a good cocktail should taste. It’s usually where we start the evening.
The venue is small, with around 30 seats, and it’s clearly designed for guests to sit down and stay awhile. Reserve a table ahead of time, especially on Friday and Saturday evenings.
Address: Grev Turegatan 30, 114 38 Stockholm
Phone: +46 70 584 50 90
Opening hours: Friday from 3:00 PM, Saturday from 12:00 PM. Check current opening hours on the website.
Website: abarcalledgemma.se
Riche
Riche is more than just a bar- it’s a piece of Stockholm history.
Since 1893, the address at Birger Jarlsgatan 4 has served as a natural meeting place for journalists, artists, businesspeople, and everyone in between. More than a century of restaurant culture in the same location says something about the place.
The evening bar at Riche has an energy that’s difficult to replicate. It’s lively, slightly chaotic in the best possible way, and the music gets louder as the night progresses. There are cocktails, wine, beer, and a menu of classic Swedish dishes for anyone wanting something to eat.
In summer, the outdoor terrace opens toward Birger Jarlsgatan and becomes one of the best spots in Stockholm for people-watching on a warm evening.
Our favorite time to visit is on a Thursday night, when the atmosphere is at its peak but it’s still possible to get a table without booking three weeks ahead. Ask for one of the evening’s recommended cocktails and let the bartenders decide for you.
Address: Birger Jarlsgatan 4, 114 34 Stockholm
Phone: +46 8 545 035 60
Opening hours:
Monday: 7:30 AM–12:00 AM
Tuesday–Friday: 7:30 AM–2:00 AM
Saturday: 12:00 PM–2:00 AM
Sunday: 12:00 PM–12:00 AM
Website: riche.se
Why So Many People Want to Live in Östermalm
It’s not difficult to understand why Östermalm is one of Stockholm’s most attractive neighborhoods.
Strandvägen, Humlegården, Östermalm Food Hall, and a high-quality cultural scene create the feeling of living in a European capital with all its advantages. The proximity to restaurants and bars like the ones listed above is something many residents highlight as a major reason for choosing to live here.
The district is popular with both Stockholm locals and international tenants. Many expats and business travelers choose Östermalm when searching for a rental apartment in Stockholm because the area offers safety, quality, and a strong selection of nearby services.
Living in Östermalm is not simply a housing decision- it’s a lifestyle choice.
Renting Out an Apartment in Östermalm
Do you own a property in Östermalm and are considering renting it out? Property values in the area are high, and demand for rental housing in the district remains consistently strong. A well-maintained apartment in Östermalm is highly attractive to tenants who value location, quality, and security, and there are always serious candidates searching for homes in the area.
At Victory Stockholm, we specialize in apartment rentals in Östermalm and help you through the entire process- from finding the right tenant to handling contracts and ongoing management. Simple, secure, and thoughtfully managed.
Looking to rent our your home? Fill in the form: Rent out your home
