Häktet

Häktet occupies a building on Hornsgatan that served as a remand prison, or häkte, in the 18th century, and it has now been a restaurant and bar for well over a decade. The name means the jail, and the setting gives the place a character quite different from the many modern bars on Södermalm. It is a popular meeting place for locals on this busy stretch of Hornsgatan, between Mariatorget and Zinkensdamm.

Inside, the venue is divided into different areas. To the left of the entrance is the cocktail bar, which Häktet describes as award-winning, with a menu that is as creative as the atmosphere is relaxed. There is also a kitchen bar and a restaurant serving food, so you can eat and drink in the same place and move from dinner to cocktails without leaving the building. The mix of spaces means it works for after-work drinks, a casual meal and a late night out alike.

The building's history is part of the fun. Expect a lively mix of people, especially at weekends, when the bar stays open late and the atmosphere picks up after dinner. It is a good place to start an evening on Södermalm, with plenty of other bars and restaurants along Hornsgatan and in the streets around Mariatorget.

Häktet suits groups of friends, couples and anyone who enjoys creative cocktails in an unusual setting. It is open from 11:30 to 23:00 on Mondays and Tuesdays, until midnight on Wednesdays and Thursdays, from 11:30 to 03:00 on Fridays and from 12:00 to 03:00 on Saturdays, and it is closed on Sundays. Tables can be booked through the website, which is worth doing for dinner on Friday and Saturday evenings. Weekday afternoons and early evenings are quieter if you want to try the cocktails without the weekend crowds.

Hornsgatan 82 is a few minutes' walk from Mariatorget metro station on the red line, and Zinkensdamm station is also close. Drop Coffee and Hotel Rival are nearby around Mariatorget, and Monteliusvägen's views over the water are a short walk away, making it easy to combine an evening at Häktet with sunset on the heights.