Blågårds Apotek
Blagards Apotek sits on the corner of Blagards Plads, a small square in the heart of Norrebro with a complicated reputation. The bar itself is straightforward: a corner pub with a long bar counter, tables along the windows, and a few outdoor seats facing the square. Capacity is around 80 people. The name translates to 'Blagards Pharmacy,' a reference to the building's previous life. What makes Blagards Apotek distinctive is its democratic character. The crowd genuinely mixes: construction workers, students, neighborhood elders, young professionals, and the occasional tourist who read about the place online. Beer prices are among the lowest in Copenhagen's bar scene, and the atmosphere discourages pretension of any kind. The bar has operated for decades and serves as Norrebro's unofficial common room, a place where the neighborhood's different populations actually overlap.
What to Expect
A no-frills corner pub with cheap beer and a mixed crowd. The square outside has character and edge. Inside, the atmosphere is warm and social. Expect Danish being spoken at the bar, though everyone switches to English without hesitation.
Unpretentious, local, and genuinely democratic. The antithesis of Copenhagen's designer cocktail bars.
Jukebox and occasionally whatever the bartender puts on. No DJ, no live music. Background noise is mostly conversation.
Come as you are. Literally. This is the least judgmental bar in Copenhagen.
Cheap drinks, real neighborhood character, meeting locals across demographics.
Cash and card both accepted. MobilePay works.
Price Range
Draft beer DKK 40-55, bottled beer DKK 35-50, spirits DKK 55-70
Draft beer ~$6-8/~5-7 EUR, bottled beer ~$5-7/~5-7 EUR, spirits ~$8-10/~7-9 EUR
Hours
Daily 10 AM to 2 AM. Extended to 5 AM on Fridays and Saturdays.
Insider Tip
Afternoon drinking on the outdoor benches facing Blagards Plads is a quintessential Norrebro experience in summer. Don't be intimidated by the square's reputation; the bar is welcoming. This is a conversation pub, not a cocktail bar, so order beer and keep it simple.
Full Review
Blagards Apotek is the bar that every neighborhood needs but few actually have: a place where everyone is welcome and nobody is performing. The corner location on Blagards Plads gives it a front-row seat to one of Norrebro's most interesting public spaces, a square that has at various times been associated with drug dealing, political protests, and community gatherings. The bar itself stands apart from any drama, serving cheap beer to whoever walks in.
The crowd is what makes this place special. At any given time, you might find a retired carpenter nursing a draft beer next to a table of university students discussing philosophy next to a couple of neighborhood parents who escaped for a quick drink while the kids are at a playdate. This isn't curated diversity; it's the natural result of being cheap, central, and open since morning.
Beer prices at DKK 40-55 for a draft are notably below Copenhagen's bar average. The savings compared to a Meatpacking District bar are significant over an evening. The selection isn't sophisticated: standard Danish pilsners, a few international bottles, and basic spirits. Nobody comes here for the drinks list. They come for the atmosphere and the price.
The outdoor seating on Blagards Plads is the bar's best feature in summer. The benches fill with locals drinking and talking as the evening light stretches across the square. It's one of the most authentically Copenhagen experiences available, and it costs less than a cocktail at Lidkoeb. The square's reputation for occasional edginess is real but overstated. During bar hours, the area is social and safe.
The Neighborhood
Blagards Apotek is on Blagards Plads, a central Norrebro square that sits at the intersection of Blagardsgade and Korsgade. The surrounding streets have a mix of Middle Eastern grocery shops, cafes, and residential buildings. Norrebrogade is a two-minute walk east.
Getting There
Bus 5C on Norrebrogade, then walk two blocks west on Blagardsgade. Metro Norrebros Runddel (M3) is a 10-minute walk. From the city center, walk across Dronning Louises Bro and continue on Norrebrogade for about 15 minutes, then turn left at Blagardsgade.
Address
Blågårds Plads 2
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