Our multi-part series of interviews with savvy Swedish lesbians.
Stockholm opens its doors to lesbians this summer, so what better way to learn about this vibrant, exciting and tolerant city than to meet some of the lesbian locals? Stockholmer Issy, 30, is a struggling artist working with her eyes and imagination as well as acrylics, brushes and spray cans. Here she tells us about her best Stockholm tips.
What is your favorite Stockholm neighborhood?
I like to walk through Gamla Stan with its cozy, small streets while enjoying an ice-cream from CaféJärntorget that has about 50 different ice-cream flavors. You’ll find a really nice jazz club at StoraNygatan 5 called Stampenthat always reminds me of the cool cats in the movie ”Aristocats”. It’s a good idea to take the short walk from there to Slussen, continuing strolling up the hill on Götgatsbacken where you find nice shops, cafés and cool people. And there’s always nice places to have a beer just around the corner.
Favorite museum?
My favourite is Fjärilshuset (the Butterfly House) where you can walk around in tropical greenhouses with beautiful butterflies flying freely. I love butterflies and the museum isalso located with beautiful nature surroundings atHaga Park.
What café do you go to?
I like Nytorget 6 on Södermalm. Just the atmosphere there makes you feel kind of cool.It usually gets crowded but I recommend going there for breakfast.
Do you have any good lunch place that you can recommend?
Akki sushi, located at Medborgarplatsen is a small place right by the subway station where sushi lovers go. Perfect for lunch!
What restaurant would you bring your girlfriend to?
Texas Longhorn, I love their relaxed atmosphere, their homemade barbecue sauce and garlic butter not to mention their awesome steaks!
What would you recommend for a date in Stockholm?
Maybe the rock club Debaser, to chill with a beer while enjoying some live music in the evening, or another really cool jazz club located in Gamla Stan, Stampen, that also has live music that I’m a fan of. For a date I like to have some kind of entertainment where there’s also a bar available. Another example is standup pub Big Ben on Folkungagatan or going disco-bowling.
What is Stockholm’s best bar?
I really like Trädgården/Under Bron located in Skanstull. It’s quite big, have cool decorations and somewhat a Berlin-like atmosphere. There is no specific dresscode and there’s a mixed crowd of straight and gay, hipsters and fashionistas. Summertime enables ping-pong, boule, dance floors, basketball, burgers and alsooutdoor bars and seating. Music varies from funky beats to indie, house and techno.
What’s your favorite shopping place?
I don’t limit myself only to the women's section when I go shopping. I like the clothes you can find at Weekday, they use some really cool materials and in their stores located at Drottninggatan and Götgatan you can find their project called Zeitgeist (German expression that translates to ”the spirit of the times.”) It’s a store-made project where they make their own prints that are released weekly in limited editions, usually about 14 pieces per store. What’s cool except from nearly being the only one wearing it is that the prints are based on something they want to shed light on and that is connected to current events. I bought a really cool t-shirt there with ”S/HE” written on it.
What are you proud of as a Stockholmer?
Hmm..I don’t know when I’m personally proud of the fact that I’m from Sweden, one thing that’s really wonderful though is the Stockholm archipelago and it feels really Swedish to me. Visiting the archipelago by boat on a sunny day is lovely and makes me proud to be from Stockholm.
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