Best bars in Copenhagen: cocktails, natural wine, craft beer and dive bars honestly reviewed
Copenhagen: Small Group Neighborhood Tour with Beer & Pubs
Duration: 3 hours
What are the best bars in Copenhagen?
Ruby (Nybrogade 10, Indre By) is the most respected cocktail bar — no sign on the door, 120–150 DKK cocktails, consistently excellent. Balderdash (Nybrogade 12, same block) is a close second with more historical theatre. For craft beer, Mikkeller Bar (Viktoriagade 8B, Vesterbro) remains the canonical address. BRUS (Guldbergsgade 29, Nørrebro) is the taproom for To Øl. Natural wine bars have multiplied in recent years — Vinhanen (Mimersgade 84, Nørrebro) and Bar Sputnik (Blågårdsgade 49) are the current leaders.
The bar scene by category
Copenhagen bars broadly fall into four categories: cocktail bars (led by Ruby and Balderdash at the top end), craft beer bars (Mikkeller and the brewery taproom circuit), natural wine bars (a newer and growing category), and neighbourhood bars or dive bars (the old fabric of the city that exists alongside the designed experiences).
Each category has a different profile, price point, and clientele. This guide covers the best of each category honestly — not all bars in a city deserve recommendation, and some celebrated names are more notable for reputation than for current execution.
One consistent note: Copenhagen is expensive. There is no version of this that avoids 80–100 DKK for a beer or 120–160 DKK for a cocktail at a quality venue. The supermarket (Netto, Lidl) exists at 10–15 DKK per beer — a standard Danish pre-drink strategy that reduces the per-person bar spend significantly.
Cocktail bars
Ruby (Nybrogade 10, Indre By)
Ruby is the most consistently cited bar in Copenhagen. It opened in 2007 in a 17th-century apartment building near Christiansborg Palace — vaulted brick ceilings, candlelight, no exterior signage. The entrance is an unmarked street-level door. This is not a gimmick; it is the building’s original form.
The cocktail list is seasonal, changes regularly, and covers both classical executions (Negroni, Old Fashioned, Daiquiri — done well, not as afterthoughts) and original creations using Nordic ingredients, house-made infusions, and less common spirits. The bartenders are knowledgeable and will guide selection without condescension.
Pricing: Cocktails 120–155 DKK. Beer and wine available at slightly lower prices. No cover charge.
Hours: Daily from 16:00. Gets busy after 20:00; expect waiting for a seat in the main room on weekends.
Honest assessment: The bar has maintained its quality over nearly 20 years, which is uncommon. No reservations — you wait. The waiting area (a small side bar) is itself comfortable. The main room has limited seating; the experience rewards patience.
Balderdash (Nybrogade 12, Indre By)
Directly next door to Ruby — a fact that raises questions about whether one cannibalises the other. In practice they serve slightly different audiences: Ruby is quieter and more intensely focused on the drink; Balderdash is louder, more theatrical, and more accessible to people who want a good cocktail in a livelier atmosphere.
The concept is historical drink culture — the menu references pre-Prohibition American bars, Victorian-era drinking, and forgotten spirit categories (genever, shrubs, historical gins). House-made infusions and bitters feature throughout.
Pricing: Cocktails 120–155 DKK. A spirits tasting menu is available for groups.
Hours: Open from 14:00 most days (earlier than Ruby). Busiest from 19:00.
Honest assessment: A genuinely good bar with a coherent concept executed well. Not quite Ruby’s standard for the drink itself, but a stronger venue for the overall experience of theatre and atmosphere. Reliable as a first stop if Ruby has a queue.
Other cocktail bars worth mentioning
The Barking Dog (Sankt Hans Torv, Nørrebro): A neighbourhood cocktail bar that operates on a slightly more relaxed aesthetic than Ruby and Balderdash. Good for groups wanting cocktails without the reverent atmosphere of Indre By. Pricing similar (110–140 DKK).
Brønnum (near Kongens Have/Rosenborg): A bar attached to a historic restaurant, operating from late afternoon. Less focused on cocktails specifically but a pleasant setting for a pre-dinner drink in the summer garden season.
Craft beer bars
Mikkeller Bar (Viktoriagade 8B, Vesterbro)
The original Mikkeller bar and the most important single craft beer address in Copenhagen. 20-plus rotating taps, open daily from 14:00, table service, small but well-proportioned interior. The full context of the Mikkeller phenomenon is covered in the craft beer guide — the short version is that this is a genuine, well-maintained bar with consistently interesting beer and knowledgeable staff.
Pricing: 25cl pour 60–80 DKK; 50cl pour 95–130 DKK.
BRUS (Guldbergsgade 29, Nørrebro)
To Øl’s taproom and restaurant — 20 rotating taps focused on To Øl production and guest breweries. The restaurant serves Nordic-influenced small plates alongside the beer. Open from 15:00 weekdays, 12:00 weekends.
Pricing: Similar to Mikkeller — 25cl at 65–85 DKK, 50cl at 100–140 DKK.
Warpigs (Flæsketorvet 25, Kødbyen)
A brewery restaurant rather than a bar in the traditional sense — but the beer is house-brewed and the Meatpacking District location makes it a natural evening destination. The combination of American barbecue and craft beer in an industrial hall is well-executed. More food-venue than bar, but valid for a beer-led evening starting point.
Nørrebro Bryghus (Ryesgade 3, Nørrebro)
A neighbourhood microbrewery with its own taproom. Smaller production than Mikkeller or To Øl, more local clientele, lower-key atmosphere. A good option if you want craft beer in Nørrebro without the destination-bar dynamic of BRUS.
Natural wine bars
Natural wine — unfiltered, minimal intervention, often biodynamic — has grown from a niche Copenhagen position in 2016 to a fully developed sub-scene by 2026.
Vinhanen (Mimersgade 84, Nørrebro)
Considered the leading natural wine bar in Copenhagen by most people who follow the scene. A small, dedicated space focused on producers from Denmark, France (especially the Loire), and Georgia. The wine list rotates constantly. Staff are knowledgeable and will talk about producers without being preachy.
Pricing: Wine by the glass 85–130 DKK. Bottles 300–700 DKK.
Hours: Evenings only, typically from 16:00 or 17:00. Closed Monday. Small capacity — arrive early on weekends.
Bar Sputnik (Blågårdsgade 49, Nørrebro)
A music-adjacent natural wine bar in the dense commercial section of Nørrebro. More relaxed atmosphere than Vinhanen, more mixed clientele, regular DJ sets from midnight on weekends. Wine by the glass 75–110 DKK.
Kødbyens Fiskebar (Flæsketorvet 100, Kødbyen)
A seafood restaurant with one of the best natural wine lists in Copenhagen and a bar area that operates late after the kitchen closes. Expensive for food (oysters 45–60 DKK each, mains 200–350 DKK) but the bar-only option after 22:00 allows natural wine access without a full meal cost.
Neighbourhood bars and dive bars
Pussy Galore’s Flying Circus (Sankt Hans Torv 30, Nørrebro)
Sankt Hans Torv is one of Nørrebro’s most active squares — cafés and bars around a central fountain, heavily used from 14:00 through late evening in summer when tables colonise the pavement. Pussy Galore’s is the anchor bar on the square, with both indoor and extensive outdoor seating, a relaxed neighbourhood atmosphere, and prices more affordable than the cocktail and craft beer bars.
Pricing: Beer 55–75 DKK, wine 65–90 DKK by the glass.
Café Det Vilde Hjørne (Ravnsborggade 10, Nørrebro)
A genuine dive bar in the old Nørrebro tradition — basic beer, darts, décor from a previous decade, very local clientele. Beer from 45–65 DKK. Not a destination bar but valuable if you want to sit in a room where no one is performing.
Café Pavillon (Nørrebrogade, Nørrebro)
A representative example of the Copenhagen neighbourhood café that transitions from daytime coffee to evening wine and beer. Multiple similar cafés line Nørrebrogade and adjacent streets. Entry is informal, seating is comfortable, prices are mid-range by Copenhagen standards (60–85 DKK for a beer).
Bibendum (Nansengade, Indre By)
A wine bar and shop in an old wine merchant’s cellar space — one of the oldest in Copenhagen. Focused on quality European wines (not specifically natural wine). The cellar setting is atmospheric. Good for a quieter, more wine-focused early evening.
Bar areas by neighbourhood
Indre By (City Centre): Ruby, Balderdash, and a cluster of cocktail bars around Nybrogade and Gammel Strand. Also home to Culture Box (club) and various hotel bars. More expensive, more formal, more tourist-mixed clientele.
Vesterbro: Mikkeller Bar, Warpigs, and the Meatpacking District cluster. The clearest craft beer and industrial bar territory in the city. Strong for evening starts that continue into Kødbyen.
Nørrebro: BRUS, Vinhanen, Bar Sputnik, Rust, Pussy Galore’s, Nørrebro Bryghus. The most varied neighbourhood scene — craft beer, natural wine, dive bars, and live music all within walking distance. Most local-feeling of the main nightlife areas.
Frederiksberg: Quieter — a few quality bars around Frederiksberg Allé and Gammel Kongevej, but not a destination nightlife area. Better for residents than for evening plans.
Practical notes
No reservation culture: Most Copenhagen bars do not take reservations (cocktail bars included). Ruby and Balderdash explicitly do not take bookings. Arrive, wait if necessary, be patient.
Payment: Cards are accepted everywhere in Denmark — cash is rarely needed or used. Contactless payment is standard. Tipping is not mandatory but 10% is appreciated at cocktail and sit-down bar service.
Service culture: Danish bar service is not effusive. Staff are helpful when approached but will not hover. The expectation is that you go to the bar (or use a menu on the table) and staff come when you signal. This can read as cold to visitors expecting American-style proactive service.
Frequently asked questions about the best bars in Copenhagen
How much do cocktails cost at the best bars in Copenhagen?
Ruby and Balderdash: 120–160 DKK. Mid-range cocktail bars: 100–130 DKK. Spirit and mixer at casual venues: 70–100 DKK. Wine by the glass at natural wine bars: 75–130 DKK.
What is Ruby bar in Copenhagen?
Ruby (Nybrogade 10, Indre By) is a speakeasy-style cocktail bar in a 17th-century vaulted cellar. No sign on the door. Seasonal cocktail list, classical executions done carefully. Open from 16:00 daily; no reservations.
What is Balderdash bar?
Balderdash (Nybrogade 12, next door to Ruby) is a cocktail bar focused on historical drink culture and theatrical presentation. Similar pricing to Ruby (120–155 DKK), slightly louder atmosphere, opens earlier (14:00).
Where are the best natural wine bars in Copenhagen?
Vinhanen (Mimersgade 84, Nørrebro) for the most focused selection. Bar Sputnik (Blågårdsgade 49, Nørrebro) for a music-adjacent atmosphere. Kødbyens Fiskebar (Flæsketorvet 100, Kødbyen) for natural wine alongside excellent seafood.
What are the best dive bars in Copenhagen?
Café Det Vilde Hjørne (Ravnsborggade 10, Nørrebro): basic, local, no pretension, 45–65 DKK beer. Pussy Galore’s Flying Circus (Sankt Hans Torv, Nørrebro): neighbourhood institution with outdoor seating, 55–75 DKK.
What time do bars close in Copenhagen?
Most close at 02:00 on weeknights and 05:00 on Friday and Saturday. Some Vesterbro and Kødbyen venues push to 05:00 on weekends. Arrival at 23:00 on a Friday is normal.
Are there rooftop bars in Copenhagen?
A few: Hotel SP34 (Sankt Peders Stræde) and Radisson Blu Royal Hotel (near Central Station). Not a major rooftop bar city — expect 100–130 DKK for a drink and modest city views rather than dramatic skyline panoramas.
Frequently asked questions — Best bars in Copenhagen: cocktails, natural wine, craft beer and dive bars honestly reviewed
How much do cocktails cost at the best bars in Copenhagen?
At Ruby and Balderdash, cocktails cost 120–160 DKK each. At mid-range cocktail bars, 100–130 DKK. At dive bars and casual venues, a spirit and mixer runs 70–100 DKK. Wine by the glass at natural wine bars is 75–130 DKK. Craft beer (40cl pour) at dedicated craft bars runs 80–110 DKK. Copenhagen cocktail prices are high by European standards — on par with London and significantly above Paris, Berlin, or Amsterdam.What is Ruby bar in Copenhagen?
Ruby (Nybrogade 10, Indre By) is a speakeasy-style cocktail bar operating since 2007 — widely considered the best bar in Copenhagen and one of the best in Northern Europe. There is no sign on the exterior; the entrance is a street-level door. Inside, vaulted brick ceilings, candles, and a small but serious drinks programme. The cocktail list changes seasonally and covers both classics executed carefully and original creations. No reservations; expect to wait at a side bar if the main room is full. Open from 16:00 daily.What is Balderdash bar?
Balderdash (Nybrogade 12, next door to Ruby) is a cocktail and spirits bar with a focus on theatre and historical drink culture — a sense of performative presentation that Ruby explicitly avoids. The cocktail list references historical spirits, forgotten categories, and house-made infusions. Similarly priced to Ruby (120–155 DKK), slightly louder in atmosphere, and more reliably open on early evenings. A strong alternative if Ruby is full.Where are the best natural wine bars in Copenhagen?
Natural wine culture has grown significantly in Copenhagen since 2018. Vinhanen (Mimersgade 84, Nørrebro) is considered the reference point — a small, dedicated natural wine bar with rotating producers focused on Denmark, France, and Georgia. Bar Sputnik (Blågårdsgade 49, Nørrebro) runs natural wine alongside a music-adjacent bar atmosphere. Kødbyens Fiskebar (Flæsketorvet 100, Kødbyen) serves natural wine alongside its seafood menu. Wine by the glass 75–130 DKK at all three.What are the best dive bars in Copenhagen?
Copenhagen's dive bar tradition is less developed than in many European cities — the high cost of running a bar means truly cheap bars are rare. The closest equivalents are the old neighbourhood pølsevogn-adjacent bars in Vesterbro and Nørrebro. Café Det Vilde Hjørne (Ravnsborggade 10, Nørrebro) is a long-running neighbourhood dive — basic beer at 45–65 DKK, darts, no pretension. Pussy Galore's Flying Circus (Sankt Hans Torv, Nørrebro) is a classic Nørrebro gathering point, outdoor seating in summer, very popular, affordable by Copenhagen standards (55–75 DKK for a beer).What time do bars close in Copenhagen?
Most bars in Copenhagen close at 02:00 on weeknights and 05:00 on Friday and Saturday. Copenhagen has a 05:00 closing law with some exceptions for licensed late-night venues. The Meatpacking District venues and some Vesterbro and Nørrebro bars push to 05:00 on weekends. Arrival at a bar at 23:00 on a Friday is completely normal — the evening starts late by northern European standards.Are there rooftop bars in Copenhagen?
A few. The rooftop at the Brøchner Hotels (Hotel SP34, Sankt Peders Stræde, Indre By) is a small bar with city views — not spectacular but genuinely pleasant in summer. The rooftop bar at Radisson Blu Royal Hotel (Hammerichsgade, near Central Station, the hotel designed by Arne Jacobsen) has been refurbished and offers views over the city. Expect to pay 100–130 DKK for a drink at either. Copenhagen is not a city that has built a rooftop bar culture at scale — the architecture and weather work against it.
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