What kind of metal and rock bars can you find in Stockholm? Are they any good, and where are they located? Where can you experience metalhead culture and have the chance to meet other metalheads? Let’s dive into it, I’ll do my best to describe the active metal and rock bars in Stockholm. Also, don’t miss my full metal guide to Stockholm if you’re interested in more than just bars and pubs.
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- Stefan Nordström
- Musician, songwriter, content creator, digital freelancer
- Stockholm, Sweden
- Bands: Desolator, Soliloquium, Ending Quest, Ashes of Life, Trees of Daymare, The Ashen Tree
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Metal and rock bars in Stockholm – including a concert place or two
Here’s my list of famous metal and rock bars in Stockholm. In the spirit of transparency, I don’t frequent the local metal scene nearly as much as I used to, as I travel a lot and hang around in different social circles. I guess I’m just trying to make this disclaimer: my blog updates are infrequent, so I’m sorry if a place or two has closed, or if something new popped up. I should also subject my liver to some research regarding the more recent places. Anyway, feel free to tell me if something is screwed up or missing!
General transport tip: public transport in Stockholm is simple and smooth, so it’s easy to find your way using SL. Taxi and Uber is mega-expensive, and usually a waste of money unless you’re a big group.
Pub Anchor (Vasastan)
Pub Anchor is a classic, and one of the most famous rock bars in Stockholm since just about forever. I spent many nights in my youth there, and I still pop in from time to time, especially if I have a visitor looking to explore local pubs.
- Transport: Subway (T) to Rådmansgatan.
- Live music? Sometimes.
- Open until: 3 AM every night.
Fredagsmangel (Järfälla)
Fredagsmangel is a mostly weekend-only concert place in the suburbs that I highly recommend. It is more focused on extreme metal and has a local atmosphere that the inner city bars are lacking. If there’s something going on there when you’re visiting to Stockholm, I highly recommend it!
- Transport: Pendeltåg (J) to Jakobsberg.
- Live music? Always.
- Open until: 1 AM (mostly open on weekends, important to double-check).
Bröderna Olssons Garlic and Shots (Södermalm)
The Garlic-themed bar Bröderna Olssons Garlic and Shots is popular among metalheads for two main reasons: its crazy decorations and how its run by metalhead royalty. Certainly worth a visit if you like theme bars, and most definitely if you’re a fan of Candlemass.
- Transport: Tunnelbana (T) to Medborgarplatsen.
- Live music? Rarely.
- Open until: 1 AM on weekends, 11 PM weekdays (closed on Mondays).
Geronimo’s FGT (Gamla stan/Old town)
Geronimo’s FGT in old town is a combination of restaurant, night club and concert venue. I’ve actually never been there at night, but I’ve had a couple of afternoon beers. My foreign visitors seemed to like it when we visited, and I see quite a few social media posts from there too, so it’s probably a good choice for metalheads.
- Transport: Tunnelbana (T) to Gamla stan.
- Live music? Occasionally.
- Open until: 2 AM on weekends, 1 AM on weekdays (closed on Sundays and Mondays)
Harry B. James (City center)
Harry B. James is a name that mostly reminds me of olden days, when a Jäger + beer combo was cheaper than water. It has since then moved to a rather posh Kungsträdgården location, and in the years it’s been there I’ve never visited. I’m not sure how rock or metal this bar is anymore, but I’ll include it anyway!
- Transport: Tunnelbana (T) to T-centralen or Kungsträdgården.
- Live music? Occasionally.
- Open until: 3 AM every day.
Heaven’s Gate (Östermalm)
Heaven’s Gate is a late night club (opens 1 AM) in the posh Stureplan area. Expect to pay a rather hefty entrance fee, unless you have some good connections, but it might be worth it if you want to spot metal celebs or just party way later than on any other metal bar in Stockholm.
- Transport: Tunnelbana (T) to Östermalmstorg.
- Live music? Occasionally.
- Open until: 5 AM on weekends (closed on weekdays).
Kelly’s (Södermalm)
Kelly’s is a Stockholm metal/rock bar that’s been around since the dawn of time. Much like Pub Anchor, you can’t expect to hear much in terms of extreme metal music, but at least there’s some Black Sabbath and stuff on the walls. All in all, it’s a decent bar, but certainly not a metalhead Mecca.
- Transport: Tunnelbana (T) to Medborgarplatsen.
- Live music? No.
- Open until: 3 AM every day.
Mammut Bar (Gamla stan/Old town)
Mammut Bar is a fairly new rock bar that popped up in the old town. It’s located in a cellar from the 1600’s, which of course is a huge selling point for metalhead tourists visiting Stockholm. Personally, I haven’t been there (yet?), but it seems to be a cool environment and a possible musician spot (they had DJ sets from Meshuggah and Watain members), even if expensive.
- Transport: Tunnelbana (T) to Gamla stan.
- Live music? No.
- Open until: 11 PM on weekdays, 1 AM on weekends (closed on Mondays).
What area is best for rock and metal bars and metal culture overall?
As you can see, the Stockholm metal and rock bars are not concentrated in one particular area. Some are in the more touristy, classy parts of town, while others are not. My general tip is always to wander around Södermalm, since it’s the more lively, alternative part of town. You’ll find a more busy streetlife there, and there’s no better place to people-watch over a reasonably priced beer.
Summary – metal and rock bars in Stockholm
I hope this gave you a good overview of the metal and rock bars in Stockholm. Personally, I wish there would be more extreme metal options, but it is what it is. I’d at least recommend visits to Pub Anchor and Garlic and Shots, plus a concert or two at Fredagsmangel, as a basic tour.
Finally: why did I put this guide together? Well, it was for two reasons; one noble and one not so noble. First off, many people seem to enjoy my metal guide to Stockholm, and it’s also put me in contact with many cool metalheads. Secondly, I want to take the chance to promote my music. If you’re a metalhead visiting Stockholm, it’s not unlikely that you’d enjoy some Nordic metal music, right?
If you’re finding my content helpful, please have a listen to my progressive death/doom metal band Soliloquium. If you prefer it more extreme, there’s also my old school death metal band Desolator, among many other projects. Thanks, and have a great time at the metal and rock bars in Stockholm!
Soliloquium links:
More touristy metal content from the blog:
The full metal guide to Stockholm ->
All about the famous Entombed cross ->
Fredagsmangel – the best place to watch live music in Stockholm ->
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