Things to do at night in Stockholm to experience the city like a local

Drawn to the city’s cosmopolitan cultural landscape and design flare, stylish travelers flock to Stockholm for its picturesque waterfront, historic landmarks, and Instagram-friendly spaces. It’s a fairly large city, so Stockholm caters to all tastes. 

In terms of street art and wonderful exhibitions, central Stockholm could be the world's longest art gallery. There are a number of amazing neighborhoods in town for nightlife. Södermalm is appealing to trendy travelers and Stureplan is the go-to nightclub district. Old Town (Gamla Stan) is the top spot for enjoying historic architecture at any time of day. It's incredibly easy to get around Stockholm as public transit is highly reliable and you can cycle most places during the summer. 

While it’s incredible during the summer, winter is a different proposition as the temperatures and snow make it a highly indoor scene. But that’s where the landmarks and museums along with the sleek bar scene come into play. 

What to do in Stockholm at night if you’re looking for… 

Chances are good that there are perfect things to do at night in Stockholm for just about everyone. There's everything from cozy spots for afternoon tea to sipping champagne at Cadier Bar at the Grand Hotel to a nightclub or ice bar in the city centre.

An exciting night out

Stockholm has Scandinavia’s best nightclub scene, with some of Europe's most underrated nightclubs drawing international DJs. The bar scene is also highly underrated with sleek cocktail bars or brewery taprooms decorated with Stockholm’s minimalist aesthetics that serve up well-crafted beverages.

Pro tip: The nightlife vibe can vary but expect friendly and well-dressed locals who speak near-perfect English along with comfortable spaces. 

Go clubbing

The club scene in Stockholm is solid, and there’s a nice variety to choose from. Berns has been home to Stockholm’s best parties since 1863 and hosts DJs and bands nightly. Trädgården, located under the Skanstull bridge, is an outdoor club only open during the summer, but this industrial-chic spot is worth checking out for unique EDM and techno dance parties. Hyde offers disco beats in a sleek setting. Södra Teatern’s terrace provides incredible views of the city center. Debaser is one of the best live music venues in Stockholm, especially for rock and metal. For jazz enthusiasts, Fasching should be your first stop. 

Hit a cocktail bar

If you’re looking for an elegant bar with delicious concoctions, Stockholm’s lively city center has plenty to offer. Naboterrassen is the coolest rooftop bar in the city and it overlooks the Östermalm district. Want something tropical? Tiki Room will warm you up even in the heart of winter. Coquetel Social’s mixologists make some of Stockholm’s best cocktails. Tak, situated at Brunkebergs Square, offers a Japanese fusion menu with an amazing whiskey selection. 

Try some Swedish craft beer

The modern craft beer craze hit Stockholm over a decade ago and hasn’t stopped. The results are incredible bars and brewery taprooms featuring local and international beers. Omnipollo, with its trendy label art and inventive recipes, is the cool kid on the block and runs a bar with pizza on Södermalm and a summer patio in Humlegården. Lådan Bar in central Stockholm provides a cozy place for a pint during the winter. Mikkeller imports its revered Danish beers to this stylish minimalist bar in Södermalm.  

Pro tip: If you're hungry, Zum Franziskaner serves up heaping portions of Schnitzel and Schweinhaxe with their liters of German lager.

A landmark-filled evening out

While you probably hit the Royal Palace or other major attractions during the day, you can keep your adventure going, even after dark. Several of Stockholm's museums and other sites have extended opening hours, and there are a number of ways to tour the city after dark. 

Royal Swedish Opera House

Situated near the Kungsträdgården, Kungliga Operan is a 250-year-old opera house where you can enjoy performances from the Stockholm Royal Opera along with the Royal Swedish Orchestra in an opulent setting. If you want to take in a drama (and know Swedish), the Royal Dramatic Theatre is another option. With a limited cloakroom, it’s best to leave the bags behind with a Bounce location. 

See the city through a new lens

You can take an evening photography tour through Old Town Stockholm. You'll meet at “blue hour,” which follows sunset and provides the perfect lighting for epic pictures of the historic quarter of the Swedish capital along with the waterfront. You’ll have a professional photographer walk you through the best areas and give you pointers for grabbing the best shots! Need to store your camera? Our Bounce locations accommodate any size item and back them up with generous protection. 

Take a boat ride

The art-deco masterpiece S/S Stockholm offers evening cruises for travelers who want epic views of the city hall and Stockholm skyline. You’ll start at Strandvägen and sail out through islands like Södermalm and Djurgården to Vaxholm. It’s an incredible experience at sunset and you’ll have dinner and drinks to provide sustenance for your boat trip.

Pro tip: Space for excess items is limited, so you won’t want to have your bags on you. Luckily, Bounce has locations near the quays.  

Take a literary walking tour

The work of Stieg Larsson will forever be associated with Stockholm, and you can take a Girl With The Dragon Tattoo tour detailing the exploits of the main character.

Pro tip: Plan this for a Saturday when the tours are given in English, and you’ll want to leave the bags behind so you’re not lugging them around. 

A night out with the family

Being such an inviting city, it should come as no surprise that Stockholm is a family-friendly destination. Restaurants and cafés are generally comfortable for the little ones and there are plenty of attractions to keep them occupied in between museum visits. 

Hit the Vasa Museum

Stockholm’s maritime museum is situated on the island of Djurgården and features a salvaged 64-gun warship Vasa from the 17th century. It's free to enter, and you can bring the kids to learn the story of how this warship sank on her maiden voyage. It'll provide a snapshot of Swedish history and the kids will enjoy pretending they’re setting sail. It’s an old boat, so don't expect much in the way of luggage storage. Stop by a Bounce location on your way to Djurgården.

Hit an amusement park

Gröna Lunds Tivoli is the most popular amusement park and it’s open late! During the summer months, you can head to beautiful Djurgården Island for rides and games. Instead of relying on cramped and expensive lockers, you can use a convenient Bounce location to keep your bags while you explore the park!

Pro tip: Time your visit by checking out the events calendar as there is also a stage here where some of Stockholm’s biggest concerts take place.  

Light up a tower with your phone

This magnificent art installation is situated on a tower atop a former phone factory outside the (aptly named) Telefonplan metro station and features lights that change colors based on the commands from a mobile app you can download. Bring the kids and watch them take the controls as these lights change. It’s a spellbinding activity for them, and you'll enjoy the light show in the night sky. 

Stockholm provides a perfect mix of cutting-edge culture and old-world historical appeal, and this is absolutely reflected in its nighttime offerings. If you're heading out on the town on a travel day, you can always drive by a convenient and secure bounce luggage storage facility.