Himlen
Himlen (meaning 'Heaven') operates on the 26th floor of the Södermalm skyscraper known as Skrapan at Götgatan 78, offering panoramic views of Stockholm's skyline from the highest bar on the island. The space divides into a restaurant section and a separate cocktail bar, both benefiting from floor-to-ceiling windows that frame views north toward Gamla Stan, the Royal Palace, and the water channels between Stockholm's islands. The restaurant serves modern Scandinavian cuisine, while the bar focuses on cocktails and a curated wine list. Capacity is limited by the floor space: perhaps 120 across both sections, which means queues form for the bar on weekend evenings. The elevator ride itself is part of the experience, ascending 26 floors to a perspective that reframes the city you've been walking through all day. On clear evenings, particularly in summer when the sun sets slowly over the northern horizon, the view from Himlen is genuinely breathtaking. The crowd is mixed: tourists who've read about the views, local couples on dates, and Södermalm residents celebrating occasions.
What to Expect
You enter the Skrapan building at street level on Götgatan and take the elevator to the 26th floor. The doors open onto a hostess stand with the Stockholm skyline visible through windows behind the desk. The bar is to one side, the restaurant to the other. The first thing you do is look out the window, because the view demands it. Gamla Stan's ochre buildings, the water between the islands, church spires, and the span of the city from this height is stunning regardless of season or weather.
Calm, elevated (literally and figuratively), and visually stunning. The low music and high vantage point create a contemplative mood that's unique among Stockholm's nightlife options. Feels like drinking in the sky.
Ambient and lounge music at low volume. The view is the entertainment. Music exists to set a mood, not to draw attention.
Smart casual. The restaurant expects neat attire. The bar is slightly more relaxed but this isn't a sneakers-and-t-shirt venue. You're 26 floors up in one of Stockholm's better-known destinations; dress accordingly.
Visitors who want to see Stockholm from above. Couples on date nights who appreciate a view with their drinks. Anyone starting an evening on Södermalm who wants a memorable first stop before heading to street-level bars.
Cards and contactless. Full credit card service in the restaurant. Swish at the bar. No cash.
Price Range
No entry fee, beer SEK 90-130, cocktails SEK 160-220, wine SEK 120-180, restaurant mains SEK 250-400
Beer ~EUR 8-12/~USD 9-13, cocktails ~EUR 14-19/~USD 16-22, wine ~EUR 11-16/~USD 12-18, restaurant mains ~EUR 22-35/~USD 25-40
Hours
Bar: Tue-Sat 17:00-01:00. Restaurant: Tue-Sat 17:00-23:00
Insider Tip
Go at sunset for the best experience. In summer, that means arriving around 8-9 PM; in winter, as early as 3 PM. The bar operates without reservations but the elevator queue can take 20-30 minutes on Saturday evenings. The restaurant takes bookings and offers guaranteed access. Ask for a window table when reserving.
Full Review
Himlen exists because of its view, and that view delivers. Standing at the bar with a cocktail in hand, looking north across Stockholm's islands as the lights come on at dusk, you understand why this venue works despite being on top of a 1960s residential tower that nobody would otherwise visit. The panorama stretches from the Kaknäs Tower in the east to Kungsholmen in the west, with Gamla Stan's medieval skyline directly ahead. On a clear winter evening with fresh snow on the rooftops, it's one of the most beautiful urban views in Northern Europe.
The cocktail menu is competent without being extraordinary. Classic cocktails are well-executed, and seasonal additions show creativity. The bartenders handle the crowd efficiently, though on busy Saturday nights you'll wait for service. The wine list is curated toward Scandinavian and French options, and the sommelier at the restaurant section knows their selections well.
The restaurant serves modern Scandinavian food at prices that reflect the view premium. A three-course dinner runs SEK 600-800 per person with wine. The food is good, professionally prepared, and attractively plated. It's not going to compete with Stockholm's dedicated fine dining restaurants, but eating at this altitude, with the city spread out below you, adds an experiential element that a street-level restaurant can't offer.
The main practical issue is access. The elevator queue on weekend evenings can stretch to 30 minutes, which is annoying when you're standing in a ground-floor lobby watching groups ahead of you descend into and emerge from the lift. Arriving before 8 PM avoids the worst of this. The restaurant reservation guarantees access without waiting.
Himlen works best as a first stop. Start your evening here, watch the sunset, have one or two cocktails, then descend to Södermalm's street-level bars. It sets a tone for the night that ground-level venues can't match, and moving from the 26th-floor calm to the busy streets of Medborgarplatsen creates a satisfying contrast.
The Neighborhood
Himlen is in the Skrapan building on Götgatan, Södermalm's main commercial street. The building sits between Medborgarplatsen (3-minute walk north) and Skanstull (5-minute walk south). At street level, Götgatan has restaurants, shops, and bars in both directions. Trädgården/Under Bron is a 10-minute walk south toward the Skanstull bridge.
Getting There
Medborgarplatsen Tunnelbana station (green line) is a 3-minute walk south on Götgatan. Skanstull station (green line) is 5 minutes north. The Skrapan building at Götgatan 78 is visible from both stations. Bus 3 stops directly outside.
Address
Götgatan 78
Other Venues in Södermalm
Trädgården
Legendary open-air club and bar beneath the Skanstull bridge, operating seasonally from May to September. Multiple stages, food vendors, and a concrete-and-greenery aesthetic that defines Stockholm's summer nightlife.
Under Bron
Indoor winter counterpart to Trädgården, located in the same space beneath the Skanstull bridge. Hosts electronic music events, concerts, and club nights from October through April.
Debaser
Stockholm's best-known indie and alternative live music venue. Hosts local and touring bands across rock, punk, electronic, and hip-hop. The attached bar stays busy on non-concert nights.
Nalen
Historic concert hall and club that has hosted music since 1888. Two stages handle everything from jazz and soul to electronic club nights, set inside a beautifully preserved Art Deco building.
Kvarnens Öl & Ölhall
Classic Stockholm beer hall operating since 1908 on Tjärhovsgatan. Large, loud, and unpretentious, with a wide beer selection and a crowd that ranges from local regulars to weekend visitors.
Morfar Ginko
Corner bar on Södermalm with mismatched furniture, low lighting, and a neighborhood regular crowd. Known for good cocktails at reasonable-by-Stockholm-standards prices and a genuinely relaxed atmosphere.