Copenhagen's Best Summer Beer Bars
Are you planning a summer visit to Copenhagen and want to know the best place to grab a good beer? You will surely want to take advantage of the long daylight hours and the cozy Danish vibes. This is a list of suggested craft beer bars where it’s not just what’s in the glass that counts, but also places that give you a true Copenhagen experience!
The Tipsy Mermaid
This craft beer bar is only open in the warmer months and is two old boats moored together in the Copenhagen harbor. This place is easy to miss if you aren't looking for it, but it is only steps away from the famous Nyhavn canal.
What makes this place such a great Copenhagen experience is that for the price of a beer, you can relax on a boat and watch the marine traffic on the harbor go by. The boat has seating on the upper decks, as well as other cozy nooks down below. If you don't quite have your sea legs and feel better on land, The Tipsy Mermaid also has tables and chairs setup on solid ground next to the boats.
Fermentoren
While Fermentoren is open year-round, their outdoor biergarten is always a summer-time favorite. They also are known for having the magical combination of an amazing selection of draft beers for a reasonable price, which is a great attribute in an expensive city like Copenhagen.
Fermentoren is located right by the Meatpacking District ("Kødbyen"), and is easily walkable from the Copenhagen Central Station. They do not serve food, but there are lots of food options nearby that you can bring with you.
Christiania Bryghus, The Lab
No trip to Copenhagen is complete without a visit to the famous Freetown Christiania, and a lot of people are unaware that there is a fantastic craft brewery inside of this hippie enclave. As Freetown is located in what used to be a military facility, this brewery taproom is an old bunker that has been transformed into a great spot to grab a drink.
They have a great variety of their own beers on draft, and they also stand out from other breweries as they use hemp in their production. While the inside of the taproom is rather small, they do have some seating outside. A great tip though would be to ask for your beer in a to-go cup, and sip away while you explore the graffiti art and other sites in Freetown Christiania (there's even a famous troll sculpture by Thomas Dambo!). It is Denmark, after all, and walking with an open beer is not only legal, but is socially acceptable.
Den Gamle Købmand ("The Old Merchant")
Why would we suggest a street corner kiosk as a great spot for enjoying a good beer in Copenhagen in the summer? Hear us out, because this may be one of the best tips for a truly Copenhagen experience when it comes to beer!
Everyone who visits Copenhagen will visit the colorful buildings and cafés along the Nyhavn canal. It can be tempting to want to pull up a chair at one of these establishments to fully take in the experience. The problem?-- These cafés are aimed at tourists, so they can be overpriced, and the beer selection is not very good. That's where Den Gamle Købmand comes in! Located down a small side street from Nyhavn, you would probably be surprised by the craft beer selection at this place. They also carry wine, ciders, mead, and other items. Grab your drinks here and take them back to Nyhavn where you can comfortably sit on the edge of the canal, people watch, and take it all in. There are also free toilet facilities at Nyhavn (they are quite nice and clean!).
Alternatively, you can grab your drinks at Den Gamle Købmand and head over to Ofelia Plads, to sit along the harbor amongst the sunbathers and sunshine.
Remember, it is legal and socially accepted to have an open drink in public spaces in Denmark. So, do as the Danes do!
BRUS
Among some of the more famous craft breweries coming out of Denmark is To Øl. While their larger facility is outside of Copenhagen, they do have a brewpub in the Nørrebro neighborhood called BRUS. At BRUS, they have a full brewery where they are constantly releasing one-off and experimental beers that fill up their extensive tap list. There is also a full kitchen serving up great burgers, and other food.
BRUS earns a spot on this list because not only are they creating some phenomenal beers that you can't get anywhere else, but their patio is true Nørrebro vibes in the summer. Nørrebro consistently ranks as one of the best neighborhoods in the world due to it's dining establishments, art scene, and quality of living. Visiting BRUS is an excellent way to experience this side of Copenhagen.
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Want to live your best Copenhagen summer craft beer life? Check out our collection of craft beer t-shirts! These are perfect for sunny days with good pints.
