Walking through the entryway into Bla Dorren Beer Hall & Dining Room in Stockholm’s Sodermalmstorg is a bit like travelling through a time portal. The plain wooden doors and overhead neon make it feel as though you’re passing through to mid-20th century America. And when you get inside, the old fashioned, solid-wood bar lined with seemingly hundreds of glasses and bottles, along with the throwback wooden booths adorned with checkered table cloths make it seem as though you’ve entered a cross between a downtown Chicago neighborhood bar and a down-home country restaurant!
Opened in 1993 in a house constructed in the mid-17th century, Bla Dorren has become one of the most popular spots in the city. With its own warehouse, it has a drink list most pubs and eateries would kill for! Extensive does not begin to describe the collection of wines, beers, liquors, spirits and coffees available. They even have their own brand of lager!
But it’s not just the great drinks that bring people to the blue door. The traditional, homemade Swedish food is a big draw as well. Lunch is served 10:30-14:30 weekdays from a daily set menu, while dinner options include traditional meat, fish, and vegetarian dishes with soup, starters, sides and desserts. There is also a special Sunday menu available. Prices are very reasonable and the food is very good.
If you want to make a trip to Bla Dorren, go early or make a reservation – the locals love it and fill it up pretty quickly!