Are you looking for great bars and places to hang out in Gothenburg? Here are my best tips for places I love to hang out in Gothenburg (where I was born and grew up).
Related: The best study and work cafés in Gothenburg
Bar Areas in Gothenburg
Gothenburg is a city bustling with nice places to hang out, from cafés to restaurants and bars. Bar areas can be found in several places around Gothenburg, but my favorite spots are around Stigberget, Ringön, and Järntorget (Andra Långgatan and Tredje Långgatan). There are, of course, other bars scattered around both the city center (Avenyn) and in different districts, but if you go to Järntorget, Stigberget, and Ringön, you can be sure you’ll find something. These are three places where the bars have clustered together, and within a few minutes’ walk, you’ll be able to hop between places and move on if a place is full.
What attracts me to different places is a beautiful or cool interior, a relaxed atmosphere (no stiff atmosphere, thanks), a pleasant vibe from the staff and the people hanging out there, and preferably also something extra in the form of good music, tasty snacks, or nice views. I can note that I’m not drinking alcohol right now, so one aspect I consider in this list is that there should be good non-alcoholic alternatives, or that the atmosphere is good enough that I should want to socialize there even sober. This also means that right now, I don’t like places that are too rowdy, dingy, or loud. However, I have drunk before, and many people I hang out with do, so the list is a mix of experiences from both when I’ve been drinking and when I’ve been sober.
Factors considered
My top list is based on the following factors:
- Beautiful, cool, hip, and relaxed environment
- Nice area (there should be good alternatives nearby)
- Friendly staff and guests (different places attract different types of people)
- Pleasant atmosphere
- Non-alcoholic entertainment alternatives (drinks, food, or good music)
Bar Area 1: Ringön
Ringön is an up-and-coming industrial area in Gothenburg, filled with breweries and cultural events. It’s been proposed that Ringön become Gothenburg’s first cultural sound zone, partly to facilitate instead of stifle the area’s vibrant cultural scene. If there’s any place in Gothenburg where alternative music, raves, and free culture, such as graffiti, have taken place, it’s on Ringön.
My absolute favorite place in Ringön is Ivans Pilsnerbar. Ivan’s motto is “Pilsners, electronic music, visual art and food”. What’s not to love? I think that Ivan and Rasmus, who opened this place, have done all of Gothenburg a service and given us an incredible gift that I thank them so much for. The interior is incredibly cool, with moving animations and light art projected around the space – on walls, ceiling, and hidden corners. Above the bar counter, old TV sets light up the week’s menus, and best of all, there’s always a DJ booth placed in the middle of the floor. Music is always played here, and when the evening starts getting late, the tables are cleared away, and the floor space transforms into a dance floor. You can come here to end the night, or for a stopover before moving on to one of Ringön’s incredible raves. Here you meet old friends and acquaintances, and if not, the people are just some strangers who can soon become your new friends.
Next to Ivans Pilsnerbar there are lots of other cool places. Here in Ringön, you’ll also find Vega Bryggeri for more craft beer, Monument for live music and performances, and Bryggan av Stigberget. It really can’t go wrong if you come here on a Friday or Saturday evening to find something fun to do.
Bar Area 2: Stigberget
A bit closer to town, but in its own oasis, lies Stigberget. Stigberget is located a small distance away from Järntorget, and you can easily get here by tram or on foot. This area hosts a gathering of cozy cafés, bars, restaurants, second-hand shops, and ordinary people. It’s just so cozy here! I love it, because you can come here during the daytime and visit the maritime museum and eat a waffle with whipped cream, take a walk behind the museum to look at the view, have a pizza on Moreno’s rooftop, continue with a coffee or beer at Elis or O/O, and end the night by listening to a live performance at Skeppet!
My favorite place on Stigberget is Skeppet. It’s a bar, restaurant, and concert hall. In the summer, you can sit on the balcony with a view over the water, and in the fall and winter, you can enjoy a cozy atmosphere in a beautiful space that reminds you of an old cinema. One floor up, there are often performances with great music, and the bathrooms are clean, and the staff is attentive and friendly. I love Skeppet, and if you haven’t been there, I think you should go!
Near Skeppet, there’s also Shangri-La with great craft beer, Elis with DJ sessions, and O/O for even more craft beer. All within a short walking distance.
Bar Area 3: Järntorget
Järntorget and Långgatorna are the classic bar streets in Gothenburg. Tourists often come here because it’s not exactly a hidden area. “Lången”, as we who live here call it, refers to Andra Långgatan, which in recent years has also spread its activities to Tredje Långgatan (a parallel long street to Andra Långgatan). It’s simply two very packed streets with bars, restaurants, and shops. Andra Långgatan is the classic bar street, and the further down the street you get, the more… decadent it can get. The bars and restaurants on Tredje Långgatan are a bit newer, which is evident in that they are cleaner, fresher, and attract a more tidy clientele.
During summer, Andra Långgatan is lined with outdoor seating and becomes a walking street, as cars do not drive there. It’s a very special feeling, walking down Lången and knowing that you will surely see someone you know. Gothenburg isn’t that big of a city after all, and if you’ve grown up here, it’s very familiar. So, if you visit Gothenburg during the warmer summer months, I’d really recommend you take a seat on the outdoor tables and enjoy the evening sun, and watch the people around you.
My favorite place on Lången is Dirty Records or Dansken. Dirty Records has a lovely interior and a lovely atmosphere, and Dansken is super relaxed.
My Top 3 Favorite Places
Currently, these three are my personal places in Gothenburg!
I also want to give a tribute to two of my former favorite places that have unfortunately closed recently, and that I’ll mourn forever, and hope they’ll open again soon: Haga Bion and PILS.
Hope this little guide could help you find a nice new place! Take care!