Copenhagen bars, from waterside beers to natural wine

In Denmark, beer is central to drinking culture, and craft breweries and taprooms can be found across Copenhagen, interspersed with traditional bodegas – the Danish equivalent to a corner pub that’s usually wood panelled, smoker-friendly and open late. Spurred by the philosophy of the New Nordic Cuisine and spearheaded by Noma’s head sommelier, a new flourish of natural wine bars marries informal, easygoing settings with thoughtful bottle lists.

Where to drink in Copenhagen

Like most capital cities, Copenhagen has a strong neighbourhood culture with locals spending much of their leisure time close to home, so you’re rarely bar from a good craft beer. Copenhagen K allures with cosy cobblestone streets; the former industrial area Holmen offers waterfront sunset views, while the meatpacking district in Vesterbro is home to buzzing nightlife.

Bars in Copenhagen K

Rosforth & Rosforth

Best for: Canal-side natural wine and swimming
Location: Knippelsbrogade 10, 1409 Copenhagen K
Price: $$$

This wine merchant supplies some of Copenhagen’s best restaurants and is said to have been the first in the city to import natural wine. In a small room beneath Knippelsbro bridge, which connects the city centre with neighbouring Christianshavn, the team runs a small natural wine bar. On sunny days, people spill out along the waterfront, filling the communal tables and sitting on the floor with chilled bottles bought over the counter. The atmosphere is lively and low-key, with dips in the harbour on warmer days.

Ved Stranden 10

Best for: A bottle shop and bar with a sunny terrace
Location: Ved Stranden 10, 1061 Copenhagen K
Price: $$$

Ved Stranden 10 sun-dappled terrace is the perfect spot on a sunny day. Inside, an original glass ceiling and wooden counter are paired with simple furniture, giving the space the feel of a Danish apartment. The wine selection is predominantly natural and European, ranging from easy-drinking bottles to more complex and rare expressions. There’s also a short but elevated bar menu, or for something more substantial, head down the road to its sister restaurant, Admiralgade 26.

Ruby

Best for: Creative cocktails in a historic townhouse
Location: Nybrogade 10, 1203 Copenhagen K
Price: $$$

Ruby is one of the city’s best-known cocktail bars, occupying a townhouse by the canal in the historic centre. Settle into the lounge or backyard, or take a seat at the bar to watch the team at work. Try the Purple Mojito, made with Pampero rum, purple shiso, tarragon, grapefruit and sour blackcurrant.

Fiasco

Best for: Italian flavour and natural wine
Address: Borgergade 134, 1300 Copenhagen K
Price: $$$

This lively bar from Fabro, the popular Italian restaurant next door, is known for its extensive natural wine list and snacks. While there is plenty of space across two floors, crowds spill onto the old streets of the Nyboder neighborhood, glass in hand. The interiors glow orange, with a pool table downstairs. Order the value meatballs, pizza fritte or dough balls with changing toppings.

Balderdash

Best for: High energy and creative cocktails
Address: 1151 k, Valkendorfsgade 11, 1151 Copenhagen K
Price: $$$

Balderdash owner Geoffrey Canilao’s playful approach to cocktails is captured in the current menu, ‘Inebriated Wellness’, where every drink costs “140 DKK and a smile”. Libations include the Dirty Creatine Martini, Wrinkle Free Milkshake and Pumping Iron Clarified Milkpunch, while you might find a milk-based tipple topped with shaved dried reindeer heart.

Bars in Vesterbro

Warpigs

Best for: Sociable brewpub with Texas-style BBQ
Location: Flæsketorvet 25-37, 1711 Copenhagen V
Price: $$

Warpigs is a brewpub in the heart of Copenhagen’s Meatpacking District, housed in one of its distinctive white-tiled buildings. Alongside its own beers on tap, Warpigs offers excellent Texas barbecue. Food is served canteen-style, with communal wooden tables outside. Order the spare ribs, brisket or a burger, and settle in for a few beers. The lively area is dotted with bars, restaurants, galleries and clubs, with a relaxed, sociable feel.

Riga

Best for: Wine and beer on a lively Vesterbro square
Address: Dannebrogsgade 53, 1660 Copenhagen V
Price: $$

Riga is so-called because it occupies leafy Lithuania Square in Vesterbro. The bar itself is no larger than a shed, but offers one of the largest seating areas in the city, lined with benches and tables. The space comes into its own during summer, when drinkers sip IPA and wine in small glasses, and it is always a good time.

Bar Solis

Best for: Buzzy, affordable drinks and sharing plates
Address: Enghavevej 20A, 1674 Copenhagen V
Price: $

Bar Solis is an informal bar on a corner of Vesterbro from three brothers, which is called after their favourite pizzeria growing up. It serves simple drinks, including old school tinto de verano, and affordable, sharable food inspired by southern Europe. There’s plenty of outdoor seating and the energy is always on point.

Duck and Cover

Best for: Mid-century style and Nordic cocktails
Address: Dannebrogsgade 6, 1660 Copenhagen V
Price: $$$

This leading Copenhagen cocktail bar has long been hidden in a Vesterbro basement. Open daily until midnight, the mood is mid-century Danish summerhouse, while drinks draw on local flavours and aquavit, a traditional Scandinavian spirit.

Bars in Frederiksberg

Bird

Best for: High balls with jazz on vinyl
Location: Gammel Kongevej 102, 1850 Frederiksberg
Price: $$$

Bird owner, Peter Altenburg, is a veteran of Copenhagen’s drinks scene, credited with opening the city’s first modern cocktail bar in 2003. His latest venture, Bird, Bird hugs a quiet corner of Frederiksberg, with a jazz and synth-pop play through hand-built speakers and custom-made hardware. Settle into one of the booths or take a seat at the bar and work your way through the short, changing cocktail menu, which is driven by local suppliers and vendors. Bottled creations are also available to take home.

Bootleggers

Best for: A cosy spot for distinct craft beers
Location: Falkoner Alle 17, 2000 Frederiksberg
Price: $$

Craft beer pub Bootleggers serves its own beers on tap, with the IPAs particularly popular. There is also plenty of sport on screen, bottomless popcorn and occasional live music. Outside, a leafy courtyard is lined with communal tables, while an intimate cocktail bar is hidden upstairs.

Gensyn

Best for: Whisky cocktails and billiards
Address: Rolighedsvej 20, 1958 Frederiksberg
Price: $

Occupying a former bodega in old Frederiksberg, Gensyn is a low-key neighbourhood spot for stellar cocktails, which run classic to creative. Co-owner Terkel Kleist is also behind Reinhart whisky, so you can expect an excellent sour, and the bar previously bottled its own gin at Frederiksberg Distillery. A low-lit wooden interior creates an old school ambience, with natty plants, a billiards table and friendly bartenders.

Bars in Nørrebro

Pompette

Best for: Informal natural wine bar
Location: Møllegade 3, 2200 Copenhagen N
Price: $$

Pompette sits on charming Møllegade next to popular sister sandwich spot Poulette. One of few bars that’s open on Sundays, it’s a great place for a weekend glass of natural wine, with plenty of options available by the glass. Grab a pavement seat to watch Copenhagen go by.

Kølsters Tolv Haner

Best for: An organic brewery with prime outdoor seating
Location: Rantzausgade 56, 2200 Copenhagen N
Price: $$

This Nørrebro bar serves a selection of beer on tap from its own organic production in a laidback setting, made from local, seasonal ingredients. The menu is scrawled on a mirror behind the bar, and also includes homemade cider. Extensive outdoor seating is a particular draw, with tables spilling onto the square and catching the evening sun.

Bars in Amager

Josephine

Best for: Natural wine with bodega charm
Location: Frankrigsgade 15, 2300 Copenhagen S
Price: $$$

Josephine occupies a former Danish bodega, retaining its traditional signage and curtained windows. It is one of few natural wine bars in Amager, the former working-class neighbourhood in south Copenhagen, it has a clutch of lively tables out front. The menu lists European natural wines by the glass and bottle alongside a short food menu, with the croque monsieur a highlight. There’s also a billiards table, should you fancy a game with old or new friends.

Dagmars Bodega

Best for: Reinterpreting the classic bodega with regular events
Address: Gormsgade 25, 2200 Copenhagen N
Price: $$

Four female friends came together to open Dagmars Bodega in Nørrebro, which rethinks the classic bodega with room for book clubs, quiz nights and a farmers’ market. The communal space offers affordable drinks, no smoking and occasional jazz and indie concerts, and aims to act like an after-work living room for Copenhangeners.