The Nordics • Eat & drink • All Nordic winners in the World’s 50 Best Bars 2024
The World’s 50 Best Bars 2024 list reveals shifts in the Nordic cocktail scene, with only four bars featured, down from five last year. Oslo’s Himkok leads at 11th, despite a slight drop, while Stockholm’s Röda Huset also fell to 45th. Svanen in Oslo climbed to 72nd, and Bird in Copenhagen debuted at 77th. However, Stockholm’s Tjoget and Copenhagen’s Ruby – both featured last year – are notably absent, reflecting increased global competition. This year’s results suggest the Nordic scene may be losing some momentum, underscoring the need for continued innovation if it’s to hold its place among the world’s top cocktail destinations.
11
Himkok, the bar that formed Scandinavian cocktail culture when Erk Potur opened it in 2015, is hidden behind an inconspicuous façade. Himkok, the Norwegian word for moonshine, attempts to embody Norwegian culture through cocktails and spirits distilled while remaining true to its surrounding nature. With a fully operational distillery producing aquavit, gin, and vodka, Himkok is able to create drinks and products with a true Nordic flavour via sustainable and empirical production. Signature drinks like the Birch, a Martini-style cocktail served with a blue cheese-stuffed olive, are served in a rustic 1930s-inspired space with dark wood, gilded mirrors and low lighting.
45
72
77
In Copenhagen neighbourhood Frederiksberg, Bird offers a relaxed, local vibe where music and cocktails come together seamlessly. Vinyl fills the space, from jazz-inspired classics to playful electro beats, all served through hand-built speakers that lend warmth to the experience. Cocktails are equally crafted with care, blending tradition with a modern twist. Expect a rotating menu that keeps things fresh, with drinks like the Drenched Se7entifive – a gin and jasmine concoction with lemon vermouth and cremant. Highballs, Lo Balls and Negronis each have their own sections, making Bird a neighbourhood gem that delivers inventive, flavour-forward drinks without pretense. Plus, some favourites come bottled to enjoy at home.
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