Scandinavia: The European Capital Of Cool

SCANDINAVIA is the European capital of cool. The major cities in each country are packed with bars, cafés, hotels and clubs that showcase the region’s hip designs and creative cultural offerings. Each country has its own unique style that contributes to the region as a whole, and below are some of the best venues we’ve found.

Vega

Copenhagen
One of Copenhagen’s best bars and concert venues is VEGA. Housed in a classic 1950s building designed by famous Danish architect Vilhelm Lauritzen, VEGA puts on more than 250 concerts and events annually.

VEGA’s eclectic offerings range from big names in rock to international DJs and emerging talent. The venue is also home to twelve bars, including the popular Ideal Bar and VEGA Lounge.

No trip to Copenhagen is complete without a visit to the venue, whether it is for a Norah Jones concert or a Fatboy Slim show. If what’s playing doesn’t suit your musical tastes, a night at the bars at VEGA is worth an outing in itself.

Mälarpaviljongen

Stockholm
When in Stockholm, take a lesson from the locals and enjoy the café culture. The tradition of fika, or enjoying a leisurely coffee, is strong in Stockholm, and there’s no better place to indulge than at Mälarpaviljongen.

Located right on Lake Mälaren, the café and restaurant is situated on a floating pier that offers atmospheric views and a great selection of light fare and beverages. If you’re feeling peckish, there is a full restaurant menu as well.

Mälarpaviljongen is open from April to September every year, and offers a range of entertainment for guests. This includes great people watching opportunities, as the café attracts one of the best looking crowds in the city.

Oslo
If you’re visiting Oslo, look no further than First Hotel Grims Grenka for your accommodation. The boutique hotel is located right in the heart of the city, and you won’t have to walk far to find yourself at great attractions like the uber-contemporary opera house.

The vibe at the Grims Grenka is all about sleek design and contemporary cool. Guest rooms are decorated in black, green and other bold color schemes, and bathrooms have windows, so make sure you’re sharing a room with someone you love.

While you’re there, don’t miss the excellent breakfast buffet, which has all kinds of pickled herring varieties for those that like to eat like the locals. For those that like to drink like the locals, the Q Lounge Rooftop Bar is perfect for a pre-party cocktail.

Teatteri

Helsinki
If you’re heading to Helsinki, the best place to go out at night is long-standing Finnish favorite Teatteri. Located at the end of the famous Esplanadi – the wide street in the heart of Helsinki that is home to a park and garden and is lined by seemingly more Marimekko stores than exist anywhere else in the world – the venue is a great place to go for a drink, dinner or night out.

The downstairs area at Teatteri is perfect for casual cocktails, and while the restaurant isn’t known for spectacular food, it certainly scores high marks on the hip factor. But the main event is the club upstairs. Teatteri is the place to be on Saturday nights, and Friday nights are busy as well. The venue is worth the wait if the lines are long, if only because the scene inside is buzzing with beautiful people.



To read more of Julie’s writing, visit her London travel blog and Europe travel website.

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