Copenhagen’s best beach bars

Every June, the hippest party planners in the Danish capital move their sound equipment and cocktail mixers out of the inner city basements and head for the beach, where deck chairs, sand and a sea breeze combine with good music and a lively atmosphere for a Scandinavian-style beach party. We’ve rounded up the places to party, to see and be seen this year on the Copenhagen waterfront, in a selection ranging from the exclusive Ocean Club north of Nordhavn Station to the raw music nights of Ama’r Strandbar.

• Ofelia Beach Bar. Ofelia, the restaurant of the Danish Royal Theatre’s Playhouse not far from Nyhavn opened an informal outside cafe and beach bar a few weeks ago. It’s now possible to add a little culture to a waterfront drink, with Ofelia participating in a wide variety of events over the summer that range from World Cup coverage to open-air opera.
• Ama’r Strandbar. The folks behind Vesterbro bars Riesen and Märkbar and the music store Sort Kaffe & Vinyl have moved into the premises close to Amager Strandpark for an open-air, summer edition of their basement scene, with live music and DJs every Thurs and Friday. Note that this bar will be closed in the event of particularly bad weather.
• Couloir. Next door to Ama’r Strandbar but with a very different vibe, a visit to Alpine-inspired Couloir might help answer the question, ‘what do ski jumpers do in the summer?’ With its sister bar located in a French ski resort, Couloir is a meet-up point for ski enthusiasts and offers a laid-back vibe, international flavor and a restaurant menu of French-American fusion food includes the intriguing foie gras burger.

• Ocean Club – Oasis del Mar. An exclusive restaurant, cocktail lounge and nightclub, Ocean Club is open all-year-round and offers both outside seating and an indoor eating area with vast windows looking out over the Øresund sound. Located beyond Østerbro between Nordhavn and Svanemøllen S-Train stations (a short walk from the Michelin-starred Paustian restaurant), the Ocean Club has developed into a popular spot for jet-setting locals as well as for wedding receptions.
• Coconut Beach Bar. With the Scandinavian summer a little on the unpredictable side, this really is a beach bar for all seasons. Located in the basement beneath popular late-night restaurant Pasta Basta, Coconut Beach Bar has moved the beach indoors into the city center, offering tropical cocktails and summertime sounds amidst the artificial palm trees, parrot figurines and sandy floor. Take a tour on the tiny dance floor and dream you’re in the Caribbean.

Photos courtesy of Coconut Beach Bar/ Pasta Basta (top) and Couloir.