Hôtel Reisen in Stockholm's Old Town, houses the somewhat secretive Bar Brahe. With its own entrance it can be accessed via a side street, but also via the hotel's lobby of course.
Once inside you're met with a really cosy place. It's rather dark, drawing focus to the actual bar and service area, where it's perfectly fine to sit as a guest for those feeling extra social, or in extra need of light. The tables and seats further back are very comfortable, a bit private and generously spaced. We love sitting here, and as Bar Brahe operate on table service, it's never a problem being a bit off from the bar, cocktails will be coming your way nevertheless.
And the drinks are good! Really good. Bottles used tend to be on the high-end side which is one of the reasons why the cocktails taste so well. But the crafting aspect should definitely not be undermined, bartenders here are thorough and take great pride in making sure each cocktail delivered to a guest is top notch. Denise and Paul are the current stars behind the bar, and they are full of spirit knowledge and can easily go off menu for those who desire that.
Not that you need to go off menu. The current menu is extremely tempting, with coffee being a typical influencer throughout. So coffee lovers should make some extra efforts to get to Bar Brahe, and try maybe the Kolkata Martini made with vodka, espresso, PX sherry and spices. It's a perfectly balanced cocktail with coffee as the main flavor-carrier, but nicely complemented with some exotic spices.
Another favorite is the Opal, with O.P. Anderson aquavit, gin, two types of vermouth and bitters. Served with crispy pickled onions, and with its amber color - it's the most elegant cocktail on the menu. Ragtime AF is made with Irish whiskey and is a fantastic choice for those into Old Fashioned type of drinks. And finally the Paysan deserves a special mentioning, a rum-laced and delicious drink!
Bar Brahe being a hotel bar has some massive perks when it comes to bar snacks. Oysters, sandwiches, potato balls, seafood rolls and much more can be ordered with the drinks. This makes it possible to actually spend a whole night at the bar, both eating and drinking. It's a really nice way of cocktailing we think.
Occasionally there are live music in the bar, quite often in a jazzy direction. It's worth checking out Bar Brahe's Instagram page which is usually updated with current events and live music performances.
As of January 2023 opening hours are: Tue-Thu 17-00 and Fri-Sat 17-01.
