From turn-of-the-century, Hornstull – on the western tip of edgy Sodermalm island – has swopped its blue-collar soul for creative types and entrepreneurs
Cinema classic
The 1940s single-screen cinema Bio Rio (above) is one of Hornstull’s cherished cultural icons – even Swedish King Carl XVI Gustaf has contributed to its restoration and preservation. It hosts premieres, indie film screenings and live opera. It is also home to Sweden’s first cinema bar, Bistro Barbro, and restaurant, Salong 2.
Gluten-free treats
A popular bakery selling fresh wheat-free artisanal bread, sweet buns and cakes, Friends of Adam was founded by Karin Moberg after she discovered her stepson Adam was gluten intolerant. Its pastries are sold at cafes, restaurants and shops around town. It also provides gluten-free goods for the Nobel Prize Award banquet.
In the swim
Built in 1929, Liljeholmsbadet – an Instagram-worthy wooden bathhouse – sits on a floating pontoon, with the word “bad” (Swedish for bath) in bold painted signage on its roof. It remains one of the city’s most popular public swimming pools, with a deck and balcony for sunbathing as well as an indoor sauna. It’s closed in July and August.
Close shave
Trimming beards and cutting men’s hair for over 50 years, Roy & Son services the area’s hipsters. Featuring wood-framed mirrors and swivelling chairs, this vintage barbershop is located in Tjoget, which is styled like a marketplace and also houses Linje Tio (Line 10), a Southern European restaurant, and Bodega, a laid-back wine bar.
Night owls
Debaser Strand, a nightclub and cosy concert venue, brings in both international and local musical acts, as well as DJs spinning everything from house mixes to hip hop and rock, on a daily basis. It also shares the site with Mexican-fusion restaurant Calexico’s and American pub, Bar Brooklyn.
Street appeal
On Sundays, the waterfront promenade transforms into the popular open-air Hornstulls Marknad, with vintage clothes, original art, handmade crafts, books and antiques for sale. Food trucks sell street grub such as French-Vietnamese banh mi, sandwiches made with braised pork belly or lemongrass marinated chicken. The market runs from May to September.
A love story
One of the most iconic restaurant-bars in Hornstull, Judit & Bertil was named after a 1930s love story between a maid called Judit and a local glassblower Bertil – the owner’s grandparents. Tuck into cocktails and hearty European dishes like saffron shrimp risotto, and red beets with goat’s cheese and pine nuts, in a relaxed decor with wall-length sofas, plush pillows and eclectic art.
– TEXT BY LOLA AKINMADE AKERSTROM
PHOTOS INMAGINE / MATTIAS BARDA / JOHAN RONNOW / J. WULFF
This article was originally published by Singapore Press Holdings.
