Issue 45 / 2012
www.guestlist.net
TRAVEL 27 7
TOP 5 REASONS TO VISIT: STOCKHOLM
I was originally going to write an article for Stockholm on a budget; however it's actually the most expensive city in the world. It costs £7.90 for a Bacardi Breezer, and once you've had a couple of them it costs £1 to go for a piss every time!
Medusa Rock Bar
In the heart of the Old Town is this heavy metal hang out. We came across this place after wandering round in the freezing cold looking for somewhere alternative. We saw the fur blankets on the chairs outside and decided to chance it. Lucky for us they were serving cheap beer (cheap for Stockholm), and played some old school rock and roll. The place was full of little nooks for the cool kids of Stockholm to talk shop.
Kornhamnstorg 61, 111 27 Stockholm Mon-Sun 4pm-3am
Debaser Slussen
Once you've drunk yourself warm in Medusa, you can stumble across the road and down to club Debaser. We spotted this on the way back to the hostel and decided to queue up. Once inside we paid £10 to see a Swedish band we'd never heard of called Royal Republic (after some research they actually seem quite big), who had some of the worst/best lyrics I've ever heard: 'I wanna be an astronaut', 'If you have to make war/Make sure to make time to make love in-between', and 'I'm a dick, dick, dick, dick, addicted to you.' The best bit of the night was hanging out with Irish support act Kopek, and ended up missing most of the show.
Karl Johans Torg 1, 111 30 Stockholm Fri - Sat 7pm-3am Sun - Thur 7pm-1am
Attend a Swedish Wedding
Ok, so not everyone who goes to Stockholm is going to see their friends get married. But I was, so shut up. The wedding was over pretty quick which meant out came the Schnapps and the drinking songs! The Swedes can really hold a tune… and their drink. A word of advice, don't go from a Swedish sauna to an outdoor Jacuzzi if you're wasted. I nearly fainted.
Bergendal Meetings Landsnoravägen 110, 192 55 Sollentuna
Spirit Museum
As you might have noticed, a lot of these activities involve drinking. Well it's cold out there and vodka warms me up. So stop complaining and get yourself to the Museum of Spirits (Ghosts get in for free. HEY OH!). Opened in May this year, it's just one big advert for Absolut vodka, but with a neat art gallery, great views and a great selection of vodka, it's just as interesting as any other museum.
Djurgårdsvägen 38, 115 21 Stockholm Everyday 10am-5pm Wed 10am-8pm
I'm on a Boat
We stayed for one night at the Gustaf Af Klint which is a converted boat in the Slussen locks, and just a short walk into town. With tiny cabins containing bunks and shared bathrooms, this wasn't exactly five star, but we managed to smuggle some Swedish vodka aboard to get the party started. The motion of the boat on the water may not be for the weak stomached though, and after a heavy nights drinking at the bar, let's just say in the morning my buddy became a little seasick.
Stadsgårdens Kajplatser 153, 116 45 Stockholm £100 per night for two sharing
