Cadierbaren

Few bars are as consummately magnificent as the one in Stockholm’s own Grand Hôtel. There are goings-on here from early morning until late at night. Breakfast, afternoon tea and more basic bar dinners. From 11 pm drinks become the protagonist, and with the Royal Palace across the water toasts are drunk with champagne, cocktails and fine wine. Browsing the drinks list is a joy, with the wine selection as predictably classical as the cocktails are unexpectedly not so – revealing a Swedish touch and surprising twists. While the neighbouring table is being served a 20-year-old Bordeaux in fine crystal, a golden bird cage is brought to our table. Inside it a glass bird sings (well almost) as you sip the bar’s big seller ‘Antimon’ (Swedish gin, champagne and Aperol) from its tail, through the bars of the cage.