East
East occupies a prominent corner position at Stureplan 13, operating as a restaurant, bar, and late-night lounge. The interior draws on Asian design influences: dark wood paneling, paper lanterns, lacquered surfaces, and warm amber lighting that gives the space a golden glow after dark. The restaurant serves pan-Asian cuisine through the evening, and the bar transitions into a lounge atmosphere as the night progresses. A DJ booth activates on Fridays and Saturdays, turning the bar section into a low-key dance space without the full-production treatment of the clubs next door. Capacity is around 250 across the restaurant and bar areas. East attracts a crowd that wants the Stureplan location and social scene without the intense door policies and packed dance floors of Sturecompagniet or Spy Bar. The vibe is more cocktail-and-conversation than strobe-and-subwoofer. The cocktail program is one of the better ones in the Stureplan area, with Asian-influenced drinks that justify the premium pricing.
What to Expect
Walking into East feels like entering a high-end Asian restaurant that gradually reveals itself as a bar and social space. The lighting is warm and flattering. The music sits just below conversation level during dinner and rises as the bar crowd arrives. By 11 PM on a Friday, the front bar area is full and the energy is noticeably livelier, though never reaching the intensity of the clubs nearby.
Warm, sophisticated, and social without being intense. The Asian design elements create an atmosphere that feels distinct from the European grandeur of neighboring venues. Good for extended evenings that start with food and evolve into drinks.
Lounge, deep house, and nu-disco at moderate volume. DJs on Friday and Saturday keep the sound sophisticated and background-appropriate. The music enhances conversation rather than replacing it.
Smart casual, similar to the broader Stureplan standard. Clean and well-fitted clothing. The atmosphere is slightly less formal than Café Opera or Spy Bar. Think upscale dinner date rather than club night.
Couples on date nights who want a Stureplan evening without the club experience. Groups starting the night with dinner and drinks before heading to a club. Cocktail enthusiasts who appreciate a well-made drink in a stylish setting.
Cards and contactless throughout. Full credit card service in the restaurant. Swish at the bar.
Price Range
No entry fee, beer SEK 95-130, cocktails SEK 170-230, restaurant mains SEK 200-350
Beer ~EUR 8-12/~USD 10-13, cocktails ~EUR 15-20/~USD 17-23, restaurant mains ~EUR 18-31/~USD 20-35
Hours
Restaurant: Mon-Sat 17:00-23:00. Bar: Mon-Sat 17:00-01:00. Late lounge Fri-Sat until 02:00
Insider Tip
Book a dinner reservation for 20:00 to transition smoothly from restaurant to bar as the evening shifts. The cocktail menu changes seasonally; ask the bartender for recommendations rather than defaulting to classics. The terrace opens in summer and is one of Stureplan's most pleasant outdoor drinking spots.
Full Review
East fills a specific gap in the Stureplan lineup. Not everyone wants a packed dance floor or a three-hour queue. Sometimes you want a well-made cocktail in a good-looking room with a crowd that's dressed up but not performing. East delivers exactly that.
The restaurant portion serves competent pan-Asian food. It's not going to challenge Stockholm's dedicated Thai or Japanese restaurants, but the fusion approach works as a social dining experience where the food is part of the evening rather than its purpose. Sharing plates are the right move: order four or five for the table and let the conversation flow.
The bar section is where East earns its reputation. The cocktail program takes Asian ingredients seriously: yuzu, shiso, lemongrass, and wasabi appear in drinks that are well-balanced and inventive. Prices are Stureplan-standard (SEK 170-230), but the quality justifies the spend. The bartenders know their craft and are happy to talk through options, which is not always the case at high-volume Stureplan bars.
On Friday and Saturday nights, the energy picks up noticeably after 10 PM. The DJ shifts from background to foreground, and the bar area starts to feel more like a lounge club. It never reaches the volume or intensity of Sturecompagniet, which is precisely the appeal. You can move from dinner to drinks to a semi-dance-floor experience without changing venues or fighting through a door policy.
The summer terrace is a highlight that deserves special mention. Stureplan is short on good outdoor drinking space, and East's terrace is one of the few options. On a warm July evening, a table outside with a cocktail and a view of the Stureplan square is as good as Stockholm nightlife gets without a DJ.
The Neighborhood
East is on Stureplan 13, directly on the square. Sturecompagniet is across the street. Spy Bar is a 30-second walk. Riche is on the same block. The position makes East an ideal starting point or transition venue during a Stureplan evening.
Getting There
Östermalmstorg Tunnelbana station (red line) is 3 minutes walking. The entrance faces the Stureplan square directly. Taxis drop off at the Svampen, which is right outside.
Address
Stureplan 13
Other Venues in Stureplan
Sturecompagniet
Stockholm's largest and most famous nightclub, occupying a multi-level space with ornate 19th-century interiors, multiple bars, and a capacity of over 1,200 people.
Café Opera
Grand nightclub inside the Royal Opera House building. Crystal chandeliers, gilded ceilings, and a dance floor that fills with Stockholm's well-dressed nightlife crowd every weekend.
Berns
Historic entertainment venue since 1863, hosting club nights, live concerts, and events across multiple ornate rooms including the legendary Berns Salonger ballroom.
Spy Bar
Intimate, exclusive cocktail lounge and late-night spot with a carefully curated crowd. One of Stureplan's most selective doors and a favorite of Stockholm's media and fashion crowd.
Solidaritet
Underground electronic music club below Stureplan with a raw, industrial feel that contrasts sharply with the polished venues above ground. Focuses on house and techno.
Riche
Classic Stockholm bar and restaurant that has operated since 1893. The bar section fills with an after-work crowd that transitions into late-night drinks. A Stureplan institution.