Wine and summer have to be the best combination wherever you might be but in Denmark, when the good weather comes after a looooooong, dark winter, there is perhaps even more of a compulsion to be outside with a bottle of something white or rosé. Luckily Copenhagen has dozens of places that combine fresh air, alcohol, and a trademark totally relaxed attitude. So get together a few friends, hop on a bike and get yourself to some of our favourites before the weather changes again.
Ved Stranden 10
Ved Stranden 10 is a beautiful wine bar in itself at any time of the year, but it’s particularly lovely in summer when you can drink outside not only at a table but also grab glasses and sit by the canal. With beautiful views of Christiansborg (the Parliament building) and passing boats, this is a particularly charming way to spend a late afternoon. And the wine list is stellar too.
Address: Ved Stranden 10
Riga
Basically a hut below a church in a scruffy square much favoured by dog walkers, this shouldn’t be anything special but somehow it gets just the right vibe and crowd. Very local, very mixed in age and very welcoming, this is a firm favourite of Graham in particular. There’s a short wine list by the glass or bottle, plus a couple of cocktails and beers so order something and sit at one of the long Berlin-style tables or on a wall or bench in the park itself.
Address: Dannebrogsgade 53
La Banchina
Hip and very cute, this is a cool spot perched on the edge of the harbour in the former industrial area of Refshaleøen. Stretch out in your speedos on one of the wooden jetties and dip in the water when you get too hot. There’s also an onsite sauna for chillier days. It’s been discovered by tourists now but is still super popular with locals too.
Address: Refshalevej 141
Rosforth & Rosforth
Another example of ‘it really shouldn’t be charming but absolutely is’ is Rosforth & Rosforth, a wine merchant/store situated directly under Knippelsbro bridge that also serves glass or bottles of wine to drink by the water’s edge. VERY relaxed, it generally is only a day/late afternoon place but that can change depending on the vibe. It’s served as everything from a fashion show venue to a pop-up location for Noma if you need anything else to underline its coolness factor.
Address: Knippelsbrogade 10
The Lakes
The area around Dronning Louises Bro (Queen Louise’s Bridge) is a really lovely place to enjoy a sunny afternoon. This isn’t really centred around one particular bar but more a general location: you can either stay on the bridge and watch people passing by on their bikes, or sit by the lakes to observe the ducks and swans. Close by, in Nørrebro, is our favourite wine shop Vintro (at Ravnsborggade 5), where not only you can buy a bottle, but you can ask to borrow a few glasses as well. If you fancy a glass of champagne, stop by the lakes at the ChampagneKælderen, which is open from Thursday to Saturday – they sell by glass but you will probably want to grab a whole bottle.
Address: Dronning Louises Bro
Det Argentinske Vinhus
If you are over in Amager and can’t be bothered to cycle into the city, you can stay local and visit this specialist in Argentinian wine. Full of only-found-here direct imports, the bar/store also offers membership to get you a bit of discount. Their menu offers beer, port and tapas too and you can wander off into nearby Enveloppeparken to while away a couple of hours in the sun.
Of course there are dozens of cool harbourfront areas to have a picnic and BYO – Islands Brygge, Kalvebod Bølge, Krøyers Plads etc etc – but we don’t always want to bother taking glasses and a corkscrew ourselves so we favour the above. If you have any other suggestions, please let us know!
