Mikkeller Baghaven
Mikkeller Baghaven at Refshalevej 169B occupies a waterfront space on Refshaleoen, the former industrial island east of Copenhagen's center that has become a hub for food, drink, and culture. The bar specializes in wild ales, sour beers, and barrel-aged brews, many of them fermented on-site in the attached production facility. The indoor space seats about 60 people, with a bar pouring 15-20 taps of rotating selections. The outdoor terrace, open seasonally from April through October, adds another 100 seats with views across the harbor toward the city. Baghaven opened in 2017 as Mikkeller's dedicated sour and wild ale project, distinguishing it from the flagship Vesterbro bar's broader craft beer focus. The beers here are some of the most interesting in Scandinavia: spontaneously fermented lambic-style ales, fruit sours aged in wine barrels, and experimental blends that change with each batch.
What to Expect
A bright, modern space with views of fermentation barrels behind glass. The tap list requires some beer knowledge to appreciate, as most offerings are sour or wild ales rather than mainstream styles. Staff are happy to pour small tasters before you commit to a full glass.
Relaxed, educational, and scenic. Part bar, part working brewery, part waterfront hangout.
Minimal background music. The focus is on conversation and the beer.
Casual. This is a daytime/early evening beer destination, not a nightlife venue.
Sour beer enthusiasts, brewery visitors, afternoon drinking with harbor views.
Card and contactless only. Cashless venue.
Price Range
Draft beer DKK 70-120, bottles DKK 90-200, snacks DKK 50-80
Draft beer ~$10-18/~9-16 EUR, bottles ~$13-29/~12-27 EUR, snacks ~$7-12/~7-11 EUR
Hours
Wed-Fri 2 PM to 10 PM, Sat 12 PM to 10 PM, Sun 12 PM to 8 PM. Closed Mon-Tue. Seasonal outdoor hours may extend in summer.
Insider Tip
Visit on a sunny Saturday afternoon for the full Refshaleoen experience, combining Baghaven with nearby food stalls at Reffen street food market. Ask the bartender about current on-site fermentation projects. Bottle purchases for takeaway are available and make excellent souvenirs for beer enthusiasts.
Full Review
Mikkeller Baghaven is a specialty destination rather than a casual beer bar. The focus on wild and sour ales means the tap list will thrill beer geeks and potentially confuse casual drinkers. If you don't know the difference between a gueuze and a gose, ask the bartenders. They're knowledgeable and genuinely enthusiastic about explaining the fermentation processes happening in the barrels visible through the glass partition.
The waterfront location on Refshaleoen adds significantly to the experience. The outdoor terrace, open from spring through autumn, offers harbor views and a relaxed atmosphere that contrasts with the more urban Vesterbro Mikkeller location. On a warm Saturday afternoon, this is one of the best places in Copenhagen to sit with a glass of something unusual and watch the boats.
Prices reflect the specialty nature of the beers. Draft pours at DKK 70-120 and bottles at DKK 90-200 are expensive even by Copenhagen standards, but the beers themselves are genuinely world-class. Some of the barrel-aged releases are available nowhere else, and the on-site fermentation program produces beers that develop over years rather than weeks.
The Refshaleoen location means Baghaven is slightly off the beaten path. It's a 15-minute bike ride from the city center or a bus and walk combination. The effort is part of the appeal. The island also hosts Reffen street food market, the Copenhagen Contemporary art museum, and several other food and drink venues, making it easy to build an afternoon around the trip.
The Neighborhood
Baghaven is on Refshaleoen, a former naval and industrial island now home to restaurants, bars, art spaces, and the Reffen street food market. The island is separate from central Copenhagen and requires a short journey by bike, bus, or car.
Getting There
Bus 2A to Refshaleoen, then a 5-minute walk. Cycling from the city center takes about 15 minutes via Langelinie. Water bus 991/992 from Nyhavn to Refshaleoen operates seasonally. There is limited parking on the island. The journey is part of the experience.
Address
Refshalevej 169B
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