Sip wine in the sunshine – here are the best Stockholm outdoor bars

What is it? Perched above the gilded entrance, resting on a grand marble terrace, you’ll find one of Östermalm’s best and most classic outdoor bars.

Why we love it? The central location is unbeatable and it’s also the ultimate spot for people-watching. Here you’re front row with views over Nybroviken, watching Stockholm’s tourists, theatre-goers and party-hungry flâneurs cross paths at a stylish distance below. When the DJ gets going in the evening, the sun starts to set behind the rooftops and the music bounces off the century-old façade – it’s hard to find a better pre-party in the city.

Time Out tip: Dramatenterassen is extremely popular and you can’t book a table, so timing is everything. Your safest bet is to arrive right at opening to grab a spot. Don’t miss their pinsas either.

Nybroplan / Nybrogatan 2, Östermalm. Wed–Thu: 16.00–22.00. Fri–Sat: 15.00–22.00 (indoor areas may stay open later on club nights). A beer from 90 kronor or a whole pitcher for 340.

What is it? A bohemian summer oasis centred around a 19th-century villa tucked among the trees out on Smedsudden in Kungsholmen. Eden is much more than an outdoor bar, it’s a full destination. Think club, restaurant, cultural hub and villa garden.

Why we love it? Because it’s summer in a nutshell. Expect gravel paths, fairy lights in the treetops and sun loungers on the grass. Bring the whole gang for lunch at one of the long tables on the veranda, hang out by the sauna jetty or dance until the sun goes down. If it weren’t quite so far away – well, it’s still only a 20-minute journey by public transport from central Stockholm – we’d want to spend the entire summer here.

Time Out tip: Make a full day of it and pack your swimwear. Either settle in at Långholmen’s rocky swimming spot or stretch out on the grass by Smedsuddsbadet. When the sun starts to lose its edge, head on to Eden, order some charcoal-grilled dishes with Mediterranean flavours and wash it down with a chilled glass of natural wine. Or why not book a session in their waterside sauna? Summer, summer, summer.

Smedsuddsvägen 23, Kungsholmen. Nearest metro is Fridhemsplan. Open from 15:00 on weekdays until late and from 12:00 on weekends. Sauna opening hours: Wed-Sun 09.00–21.00. During peak season they often host day parties and club nights, keep an eye on the website.

What is it? A large beer garden on Södermalm with long tables, DJs, beer in plastic cups and unbeatable views over Gamla Stan and Djurgården.

Why we love it? Mosebacketerrassen is an immortal classic in Stockholm’s cityscape. A place where the hours fly by and the evening always stretches a little longer than planned. Grab a seat at the long tables with a beer and something fried from the bar menu, or time your visit with one of the big live shows that echo out across the terrace and Saltsjön on summer evenings. It’s Södermalm at its most perfectly packaged.

Time Out tip: Although it’s usually walk-in, most performances require a ticket. Book at https://sodrateatern.com/en/events-2/.

Mosebacke torg 1–3. Open Mon–Thu 15:00–24:00, Fri 14:00–24:00 and Sat–Sun 12:00–24:00 (closes to the public at 17:00 during concerts).

What is it? Slightly tucked away down Ringvägen, you’ll find Bleck – a restaurant and bar by Lilla Blecktornsparken on Södermalm. Despite the off-the-beaten-path location, Bleck’s generous outdoor seating is always packed as soon as the sun comes out.

Why we love it? While the restaurant, with its cosy glassed-in terrace and wood-fired stove, is a year-round destination, it’s in summer that Bleck truly comes into its own. Think good vibes, music and greenery all around. The menu focuses on seasonal small plates to share, and the outdoor bar serves everything from craft beer to a carefully curated selection of natural wines.

Time Out tip: Lilla Blecktornsparken, with its green lawns, hammocks and paddling pool, is worth a visit even if you’re not planning to order anything at the bar.

Katarina Bangata 68 / Blecktornsparken, open Mon–Fri afternoons until late, open from lunch on weekends.

What is it? A very pleasant neighbourhood restaurant in Ellen Keys Park, a brisk walk north of Stureplan, run by a team from the TV hit ‘Sveriges mästerkock’. The main draw is the large gravel courtyard with charming café tables shaded by cherry trees and towering lindens.

Why we love it? Parken is the kind of place where you start out around lunch with your own group, then as the hours pass, more and more chairs are added around the table. Before you know it, you’re sitting there with both old friends and new acquaintances, while kids zoom around the gravel nearby on scooters with chips in their bellies and ice cream stains on their T-shirts.

This year the menu has been updated with a Middle Eastern focus, which we’re all for. Generous plates of halloumi with chilli honey, spicy dips with harissa and cauliflower with tahini and pistachio pair perfectly with an ice-cold beer.

Time Out tip: On the other side of the park you’ll find restaurant Animo, a favourite among industry folk and locals.

Karlavägen 40, Ellen Keys park, Östermalm. Open Mon–Fri 11:00–late. Weekends 11:30–late.

What is it? The acclaimed craft brewery’s leafy summer oasis, nestled among the trees in Humlegården. Here, the old park kiosk has been transformed into a colourful beer garden serving everything from inventive sour beers to reliable pilsners.

Why we love it? Despite being located in Humlegården in the heart of Östermalm – a district known for being a bit polished – the vibe at Omnipollos Flora is anything but pretentious. The whole aesthetic leans more towards ‘Söder’, with colourful benches and big steins of craft beer. It’s relaxed and unpretentious, with nothing but treetops overhead. Breathe out in the shade, order a burger, take a sip of beer and enjoy summer.

Time Out tip: If you’re feeling adventurous, order one of Omnipollo’s fruity beers with summery flavours – perhaps the one reminiscent of raspberry pie or the one with blueberry, marshmallow and pancake notes?

Kungliga Humlegården 1. Expect to pay around 100 kronor for a stein.

What is it? A hidden restaurant and bar oasis on Östermalm, housed in the historic premises of the Army Museum on one of Stockholm’s most magnificent courtyards.

Why we love it? For the deep seating areas, excellent cocktails and lively atmosphere. But also because the sheltered, walled courtyard means the outdoor season starts early in spring and lasts well into autumn. A bottle of cava here with their classic vendace roe crisps is practically an annual tradition.

Time Out tip: Bring your best four-legged friend. At Artilleriet, dogs have their own menu, including chew bones and liver treats.

Artillerigatan 13, Östermalm. Open Tue–Sat 11:00–late.

What is it? No, it’s not a Gothenburg local’s indecisive answer to what they want for dinner. This glass cube with a French bistro vibe sits right on Norrmalmstorg and is a classic after-work destination for inner-city crowds and Stureplan characters who want to see and be seen. Don’t be surprised if a smoke machine or a saxophonist suddenly appears.

Why we love it? Alongside the unbeatable sunny spot, we love how Vau De Ville always delivers a sense of the good life. Whether you go all in with caviar, oysters and bubbles or just grab an ice-cold beer in the afternoon sun, it’s easy to get swept up in the contagious continental square buzz. A buzz that occasionally ramps up into day parties on selected summer days.

Time Out tip: When the sun sets and the party mood really kicks in, take the few steps across the square to the historic Hallwyl Palace courtyard to keep the party going under the open sky.

Norrmalmstorg 6, Norrmalm. Open Mon–Tue 11:00–23:00, Wed–Sat 11:00–01:00, Sun 12:00–22:00.

What is it? A hidden gem in the middle of it all – Sergelterrassen is an urban park located on the rooftops above Sergelgatan with views over Hötorget.

Why we love it? Sit down with an ice cream from Kenny’s Gelato or grab something cold to drink at Brasserie Hötorgsterrassen. There are several seating areas, a fountain and open spaces where kids can roam freely without traffic worries. It’s the perfect place to rest your feet during a shopping trip and escape the crowds.

Time Out tip: The grapefruit sorbet and the lemon and ginger version are refreshingly sweet and tangy – perfect for cooling off when the sun is blazing.

Mäster Samuelsgatan 40, City. Open Mon–Fri 11:00–21:00, Sat 12:00–21:00, Sun 12:00–19:00. 

What is it? A hidden, peaceful courtyard oasis in the heart of Gamla Stan – just metres from the intense tourist bustle of Stortorget. Is it even possible? Absolutely. Welcome to the courtyard at Grillska Huset.

Why we love it? I probably wouldn’t come here just for the courtyard alone, but if you’re already in Gamla Stan, it’s a charming little secret where you can recharge. The best part? Despite the large sign outside proclaiming ‘Swedish fika’ and ‘Innenhof’, it’s rarely difficult to grab a table here even in peak summer – even on the sunniest days. The atmosphere is pleasantly unpretentious, with floral tablecloths and slightly rickety wooden benches.

Time Out tip: Skip the meatballs and go for drinks or fika instead.

Stortorget 3, Gamla Stan. Open Mon 10:00–20:00, Tue–Sat 10:00–21:00, Sun 11:00–20:00.

What is it? Luckan, or Café Tessinparken as it’s also known, is a classic park kiosk and summer café in Tessinparken on Östermalm.

Why we love it? Right in the middle of Gärdet’s grand park, with views over roses and a fountain, you can sit at café tables under large parasols and watch the world go by. The menu features simple dishes like waffles, chips and sandwiches, and unfortunately the location outshines both the service and the food. But what a location it is. The park has everything you need for a perfect summer day – playground, paddling pool and a large ice cream shop with nearly 50 flavours (Stockholms Glasshus). And if you’re missing anything, the wide selection at the Fältöversten shopping centre is close at hand.

Time Out tip: If you want to enjoy the same setting on a smaller budget, a picnic in the park is a great idea. Pick up strawberries, a bottle of your drink of choice and other treats at Fältan and you’re set for the afternoon.

De Geersgatan 13, Gärdet. Open Mon–Sun from 12:00.