Stockholm is often called the gay capital of Sweden and even of Scandinavia. It is a good destination for gay and lesbian travel.
According to the Gay Travel Index 2018, Sweden is, together with Canada, the gay-friendliest country in the world. Sweden has been a pioneer of equality for LGBT people. Homosexual activity has been legal in Sweden since 1944. Sweden became the first country in the world to allow transgender persons to change their legal gender post-sex reassignment surgery in 1972. The age of consent has been equal since 1978. Discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation was made illegal in 1987, and same-sex marriage became legal in 2009 under a centre-right government and with all-party support. Same-sex marriage is carried out by the Church of Sweden (a Lutheran church) and by government-appointed officiants.
Stockholm has hosted Europride three times: in 1998, 2008 and in 2018 (with Gothenburg), when it attracted 60,000 people.
Stockholm's official hospitality website has a page for LGBT venues. The main LGBT rights organization is the Swedish Federation for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Rights (RFSL)[dead link].
While Stockholm has no specific LGBT neighbourhood, most cafés, restaurants and clubs are on Södermalm and Gamla Stan (Old Town).
See
[edit]During Stockholm Pride, some museums usually have exhibitions with a sexual minority theme.
- 1 Abba The Museum, Djurgårdsvägen 68, ☏ +46 812 132 860. A museum of the Swedish pop band ABBA, who are icons to a generation of gay men, in particular. You can see their spectacular costumes, gold records and original items. In the same building you’ll find Pop House Hotel with 49 stylishly decorated hotel rooms and Pop House Hotel Food & Bar. It has a gift shop.
- Cinema Queer. Annual international film festival in early October with queer movies, parties and forums.
- Trans Film Fest Stockholm. Early November. A 5-day-long festival with 3 days if films, and open stage night, and an acoustic music night.
- 2 Royal Palace (Kungliga Slottet). Daily: May-Sep 10:00-17:00, Oct-Apr 10:00-16:00. The official residence of the king of Sweden was home to Queen Christina, who ruled the country in her own right from 1632 to 1654. She did not conform to the expectations for her gender: she refused to marry, may have shared her bed with her close female friend, and preferred masculine attire. Adults 160 kr, students and children 80 kr.
Do
[edit]- Stockholm Pride. The annual LGBT festival in July. The Saturday parade sees thousands of Stockholmers and visitors flood the streets, and attracts leading politicians and celebrities. Workshops, seminars, concerts and much more are held throughout the city. Stockholm Pride also has its own “Kinky Neighbourhood” for the more adventurous.
- Mamma Mia! the Party, Tyrol, Lilla Allmänna Gränd 2 (bus number 67, or the Tram to the station Liljevalchs/Gröna Lund, or by ferry on the Djurgårds ferry from Slussen on Södermalm to Allmänna Gränd). A dinner, show and after-show party where you can sing and dance with the cast to the music of ABBA. The Greek taverna from the musical and its landlord, Nikos, have been recreated in Gröna Lund amusement park on Djurgården, near the ABBA Museum. Authentic three-course Mediterranean meal; vegetarian alternatives available by ordering ahead. Buy tickets online as it sells out weeks in advance. From 1355 kr.
- Women's ice hockey. The Swedish Women's Hockey League has a team that plays at Djurgården arena.
- Texas Gym & Sauna, Studentbacken 15-17. 11:00 - 23:00. Cafe, massage, sauna, relaxing cabins, dark room, gym, free wi-fi. Discreet entrance. In case it isn't obvious, customers come here to have sex with each other.
Buy
[edit]Bibliotekstan fashion district is a 5-min walk from the Nybroplan ferry terminal behind Berzelii Park. Fashion retailers include HOPE, a gender-neutral clothing brand, Sweden's own international fast fashion giant H&M.
Eat
[edit]- Mälarpaviljongen, Norr Mälarstrand 64, Kungsholmen (Buses: 1, 4, or 77 to Fridhemsplan; 3, 50, or 54 to Polhemsgatan; Metro: to the stations Fridhemsplan or City Hall), ☏ +46 8 650 87 01. Summer only: daily 11:00-late. An LGBT-friendly summer hangout on the waterfront.
- The Secret Garden, Kornhamnstorg 59 (Gamla Stan iskand). 12:00-03:00. A popular gay bar and meeting point for the LGBT people. Impressive wine and drinks menu, terrace, regular events with live DJ. In the heart of Stockholm - Gamla Stan. DJs W-Sa from 22:00.
- 1 Chokladkoppen, Stortorget 18, Gamla stan, ☏ +46 8 20 31 70. Winter: M–Th 10:00–22:00, F 10:00–23:00, Sa 09:00–23:00, Su 09:00–22:00; Summer: daily 09:00–23:00.. A cozy gay-friendly cafe for lunch, dinner or a snack. It was the first in the city to flag the rainbow flag. It continues to be a place to pick up information about LGBT events.
Drink
[edit]- Moxy. The nightclub attracting thousands of women of different ages and styles, all in the mood for dancing. Various locations around town.
- SLM Stockholm, Wollmar Yxkullsgatan 18, Södermalm. W 19:00 - 23:00, F Sa 22:00 - 02:00. The fetish club Scandinavian Leather Men for men only. –
- Patricia, Söder Mälarstrand, Kajplats 19 (Södermalm). Gay Sunday Nights on old steamer Patricia at Söder Mälarstrand. Stunning view from the sun deck. – Don't miss the legendary
- Club Backdoor, Arenavägen 75, Tolv (near Tele 2 Arena). Three bars, awesome sound system and three dance floors that play House, Techno, 1990s pop and great party music.
- Side Track, Wollmar Yxkullsgatan 7. W-F 18:00 - 01:00, Sa 18:00 - 01:00. The oldest gay bar in Stockholm, and a small restaurant. Intimate atmosphere, pleasant staff, and good, inexpensive food. The DJ plays a mix of pop and old hits.
- Blue Oyster, Långholmsgatan 15c. W Th 16:00 -00:00, F Sa 16:00 - 01:00. A cocktail bar at Hornshuset. Opened in 2022 and hosts different themes like Drag-bingo. Free.
Sleep
[edit]- Hotel Berns, Berzelii Park, ☏ +46 8 566 320 00. This intimate boutique hotel offers 82 individually decorated rooms. Berns operates three full-time club venues, including Stora Salongen (the Great Hall), which has a stunning dance floor. It is used for the Guldrummet monthly gay dance party. Double from 1445 kr, breakfast buffet 195 kr.
- 1 Pop House Hotel (Djurgården at the ABBA Museum). 49 beautifully appointed rooms with panorama windows. Some rooms are decorated in music themes like Mamma Mia! and the ABBA Gold Room. Trendy cocktail lounge onsite. 1350 kr, breakfast included.
Connect
[edit]- QX — gay events listings site
- Transfest Stockholm — events for the Trans community
Stay safe
[edit]Hate speech and discrimination against homosexuals are prohibited by Swedish law. Establishments cannot discriminate against customers because of gender or sexual orientation. This means that there are no gay-only, lesbian-only, male-only or women-only venues, except member-only venues.
Homophobic violence exists, but is rather uncommon. Police and other authorities are tough on hate crimes.
Go next
[edit]There are Pride celebrations all over Sweden, with over 30 different Prides celebrations throughout the year. This includes Sapmi Pride, which recognizes the indigenous population of Swedish Lapland. There are more Pride festivals per-capita in Sweden than in anywhere else in the world.
Gothenburg also has a strong LGBT community. West Pride attracts many travellers in early June.