The Nordic Bar is a bit of a mystery to me even though I’ve been there. Reason being that my friends and I went on a day which was so quiet there were only two other people in the bar and the bar wasn’t serving any food unless it had been pre-ordered. We all ordered Longberry cocktails which is a mixture of raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, lime vodka, blueberry liqueur, lemon, cranberry juice and crème de mure which was pretty good. There was a ping pong table so we played on there until a few other people showed up who had booked time slots. FYI you have to leave a form of ID behind the bar in order to book the table. It’s a bit of an awkward space to play as people walk around the table constantly and the ping pong balls kept flying off in all directions often being retrieved under tables were people were sitting. Two kids turned up with there mother and helped us find the balls whenever they bounced out of range. There wasn’t any atmosphere here probably due to the lack of numbers, but it looks like it could be a happening place. I will never know until I come back again during a more busy time.
Gemma M.
Rating des Ortes: 4 London, United Kingdom
Cool little basement bar in Fitzrovia, just off Goodge St. There is a good selection of drinks available including a cocktail list. There is a good amount of seating and you can book an area, they also offer food. It was pretty quiet when we were there but it was earlier on a Tuesday night. Will have to go back to test out some of the cocktail list.
Livi S.
Rating des Ortes: 4 London, United Kingdom
Slightly hidden away, down a side street, just off Oxford street, this Swedish bar is literally in a basement. Such a hidden gem. With a large variety of cocktails, with interesting twists on them — particular the bellinis, which contain a liquor I can’t for the life say the name of, but come sin three different flavours and is delicious. The cocktails come in at a not too shabby price of £8.95, which is pretty standard. The music is funky disco style and there’s a cool ping pong table to have a game on, while you drink. Although, be prepared to queue to use if you’re not there early. Another thing I loved was the randomness behind the bar, there’s a shot wheel, where you pay £3.50 and it’s pot luck, which shot you get. All the shots are made by the bar attenders and are somewhat of a mystery, which is exciting and if you get lucky with the spin and it lands on a penguin, it’s free. Sweeeet! There’s also a lemon in a glass of water, which if you balance a coin on it, a shot is on the house. If you spot the blue lights outside the bar, and you enter in, you’ll be glad you did! I’ve been a few times and gotta say I’ve had a blast!
Essi S.
Rating des Ortes: 3 London, United Kingdom
«Kippis ja kulaus! Hölökyn kölökyn!» That’s just a little Finnish you might hear from drunken Finns cheering at Nordic Bar ;) As a scandi(a Finn to be more specific) living in London, I obviously had to visit the Nordic Bar. I love vodka and I’m pretty sure Nordic Bar is the only bar in London from where I can buy Koskenkorva aka«Kossu»(a famous Finnish vodka) and Salmiakki-kossu aka«Salmari». Kossu is made out of Barley, but also a rye version exists. Salmari is salmiakki(specifically a salty liquorice called Turkish Pepper) flavoured vodka or «viina» as we say in Finnish and it’s black in colour. You have it in a shot and it’s absolutely marvellous :) Finns also like to drink«Fisu» which is vodka with crushed Fisherman’s Friends(the candy), but I don’t think they serve it at the bar(but you can make it yourself at home!). They also have«Lonkero» aka Long Drink(means tentacle, don’t ask me why) at the bar which is definitely worth a try! It’s basically a mixed drink made from gin and grapefruit soda. There are also some nice Scandinavian delicacies on the menu like for example the classic Swedish Meatballs(och samma på Svenska: Köttbullar) and«Pyttipannu» or Pytt I Panna. Otherwise the bar is quite nice, it’s very casual and relaxed. Nice service. I enjoyed it and will be going again for sure.
Adele D.
Rating des Ortes: 4 London, United Kingdom
Love this quirky little bar. I prefer bars that are a bit more quieter nowdays that you can enjoy time with your friends. Drinks are reasonable and its open quite late(think 3am) plus they have a ping pong and fossball table so if your a little competitive or want a bit of fun it adds something to the evening!
Hester B.
Rating des Ortes: 4 London, United Kingdom
Nordic Bar is a small bar off the beaten track, but the long berry cocktail makes the trip well worth while. The staff were really friendly and this small quirky bar is definitely worth a try! I hope to be back soon!
Lisa C.
Rating des Ortes: 4 London, United Kingdom
When I came here, it just so happened to be the National Day of Sweden, so the place was pretty festively decked out in Swedish flags and according to my Finnish friend, a lot of the people around us were speaking Swedish. So it had a pretty fun vibe and the place was fairly crowded. Behind the bar they have a wheel that you can spin to get a random shot, which we did twice and both times the shots were quite tasty. I also highly recommend getting cranberry gin mixed with a liquor(I chose vodka)… you can hardly even realize that cranberry gin has alcohol itself! We got to enjoy our drinks outside on their doorstep for a while, with about 10 other people out there, but after a certain hour they have to have everyone downstairs in the bar. For some reason, the back room(the dance floor) was rented out to an Indian private party that night, and it wasn’t closed off but was just a bit weird. Instead we sat at a table in the front room reserved for a girl named Elin, who had either left already or just never showed up, and no one made a fuss. Thank you Elin!
Nathan B.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Bayswater, London, United Kingdom
My favorite bar in London. I prefer a chilled out bar with relaxed people, good music that’s low enough to have long conversations, friendly staff, and a warm all-around feel. This place provides it in spades. People complain about poor quality of free shots and low selection, but to me that doesn’t really matter — cold beer, nice cider selection, a few bar snacks, and a cozy, relaxed yet lively bar with very, very friendly staff. Almost feels like you’re in your hometown livingroom on a weeknight. Food is just ok, but to me no big deal as I don’t go to eat. Only drawback is that they don’t carry Nordic Cider! But then again, nobody else in the UK does either!
Amanda S.
Rating des Ortes: 1 New York, NY
Horrible place. This was the worst service I have ever experienced. There are 4 menus on the table with different food that don’t seem to correspond to the information on the outside. The barman doesn’t know which menu we should be looking at or what food is available. He takes ages to put the menu into the system but 20 minutes later, comes back and says 3 out of the 4 dishes we’ve ordered are unavailable. We change the order but all but one of our dishes arrive wrong and rather than an apology, we’re treated as if we’ve changed our minds and are being difficult. The vegetarian amongst us is given a meat burger and when we point this out, we’re told it’s a veggie burger but just looks and tastes like real meat. But it IS meat. The manager arrives and instead of apologising he’s aggressive.
Nickma
Rating des Ortes: 3 London, United Kingdom
I had some mixed feelings from this place. The drinks were great and the service was very fast but the noise was too much for me. Maybe I’m getting old, so don’t count that as a con :) Anyway, the bar is nice and I’d visit again.
Nicole R.
Rating des Ortes: 3 Wood-Ridge, NJ
They reeled us in with promises of free shots, which were rancid(aren’t all free shots?!). Despite it being really busy we lucked out with a table for our big group. Drinks are average priced for the area. The music is pretty cheesy but at the end of the night we were able to ask for songs and got all good ones on. The bathrooms have loads of magazine clippings on the walls which is cool since its nice and colourful, if you’re into that! In general it’s a solid place to go for a few drinks, though there’s likely better in the area.
Valentin G.
Rating des Ortes: 3 London, United Kingdom
OK bar in a tucked away spot. We’ve celebrated New Year here and the deal they provided was very good: for £10 you got 2 flutes of champagne and a not so crammed up space on NY. On the downside the music was quite cheesy, the dance floor is fairly small. The drinks are pretty ridiculously priced at almost a tenner and getting pitchers produces even worse value for money… So all in all it is definitely OK but doesn’t stand out with anything in particular…
Sorren M.
Rating des Ortes: 4 London, United Kingdom
Slightly hidden away on Newman street with flashing blue Christmas lights! Like many places I find myself going to time and time again, the staff here are amazing and know how to entertain guests very well! as previously mentioned before the chips with rock salt and thyme is a great treat while drinking! the space itself is interesting shaped almost like a dumbbell two larger areas separated by a long narrow stretch where the bar is! The bar itself has the longest array of different flavoured vodkas you will and can find in london i’m sure. Also famous for it’s wheel of fortune styled spinning wheel above the bar with over 20 different types of shots, made with all sorts of ingredients(trust me when i say ingredients). the bar also offers a great array of scandanavian ciders and beers, bottled and on tap! If it’s a night out you’re on you’ll be absolutely sure to have a great time pre-gaming in here, or equally a good place to be grounded for the night, I’ve personally staggered out many a time after being the subject of great hospitality! The only thing it needs is a jukebox, even if it is an mp3 new age one it does however have it’s own music! Dubbed by the staff to be a bar busiest during the winter due to it’s location, I’d go anytime of the year! it certainly gets a 4 star from me!
Absint
Rating des Ortes: 5 London, United Kingdom
The Nordic Bar is one of those places I periodically forget about, re-discover, and fall madly in love with all over again, every time. It’s a brilliant little independent theme bar serving incredible cocktails and snacks in a cosy, underground setting. Staff here are always helpful and extremely friendly. I have no idea if it is an authentic take on Nordic nightlife, but it’s certainly unlike anywhere else in London!
Conan H.
Rating des Ortes: 2 London, United Kingdom
Apparently when it first opened it was chokka with Scandi blondes. Now its full of people who are hoping to meet those blondes but who have since moved on. Not sure if there is anything redeeming about this place to make me return. The interior seems neglected, the food looked just«ok». I think there are other places in the area which could be better.
Avi d.
Rating des Ortes: 2 New York, NY
«You want to get a beer and a cheeseburger?» A weird way to start off, but sure I’m game The space is kindof odd, much more bar than place to grab a bit(it is a bar after all) but I do enjoy their devotion to the idea that it ought to be Nordic, a bunch of Carlsberg and an fine but not remarkable burger later and the place is still pretty empty. Considering the location, its pretty random
Spin_d
Rating des Ortes: 5 London, United Kingdom
Got taken here after work… GLAD I DID! Awesome venue(although underground!) with great cider and even better types of voda! Seems like a well kept secret with the workers of London and was busy from start to finnish! Give it a go!
Sanjit C.
Rating des Ortes: 4 London, United Kingdom
Nordic is a cellar bar, dimly lit and trendy in a laid-back, jazzy, scandinavian way. As the evening progressed we realised that, numeros vodka and lager options aside, food was the unexpected star treat of the evening. Don’t underestimate Nordic. On arrival we were warmly greeted. Blue lights twinkled, dark wood floors and tables resonated, and furs hung on the walls and deadened the din, making this place seem homely in a pleasantly unexpected way. I launched straight into choosing a cocktail whilst the ‘other half’ quizzed the bar staff on savoury vodka options, settling for a home-made chilli vodka diluted with straight vodka — it had a kick! Both drinks options were lissome with loveliness. My cocktail was composed of lime and citron vodkas, grapefruit juice shaken with crushed ice and mint, then poured over Lingonberry juice on the rocks. .. .. sharp, sweet, minty and fresh all at once! Our friends arrived and soon we were sharing bottles of ‘God Lager’(good lager in Swedish) which had a pleasingly malty, dark taste akin to a dark Belgian beer. Acquavit, with tones of fennel and caraway, and raspberry vodka also did the rounds. .. . all delicious. The food was really special. Smörgåsbord was a must for some — reportedly the best Gravadlax ever tasted as pronounced by the lady who once worked in a fish smokery of renown. Others of us had Pytt i Panna. Pytt i Panna is a dish of pan fried potato, Danish bacon and herbed sausages topped with a fried egg and served with dill pickles and beetroot and is truly delicious! I should know, I ate it all, very quickly. One of our party had homemade Frikadeller(Danish pork meatballs) served with mashed potatoes and beef and onion gravy with a touch of fresh cream. Quality, flavour, good service and an irresistible joie de vivre characterise Nordic. If you’re experiencing mobility problems you’ll have to miss Nordic’s chams — it’s a cellar bar accessed down a metal fire escape stair. The food was fresh and deliciously flavoured and aside from what we ordered there are numerous ‘snack’ options like hot dogs and the like. The vodka and beer selection were just great. I am a fan.
Joseph T.
Rating des Ortes: 3 London, United Kingdom
I went to Nordic Bar in the evening after my final university exam. A bad worker, I had crammed throughout the night, taken the exam, met my dad for a drink and slightly awkward motivational speech, then gone round my friend’s house for a couple of bottles of wine and some N20 robot karaōke. By the evening I was feeling exhausted, slightly disconnected and wanted to go home, however, after some motivational bullying from my friends we went to the Nordic Bar for some drinks. The Nordic bar is a walk-down bar from street level. Once inside it is quite small and a little stuffy. There is a narrow bar area, beyond which is a larger seating area. It may have been my mood but the place had an odd atmosphere, with the other clientele mainly office workers and Scandinavian expats. A little odd but worth trying if you are near.
Gareth H.
Rating des Ortes: 4 London, United Kingdom
I was a little dubious of this place, primarily because I was worried it was going to be exactly the same as every other cocktail bar in the West-End, thankfully this wasn’t the case. I went there for a friend’s birthday and the staff really took care of us. They even mixed up a new cocktail for us in honour of the occasion and which they administered to each of us for free! They play up the Scandinavian feel with cool lighting and a chilled soundtrack. The cocktail list is extensive and expensive but, if you’re willing to flirt a little with the bar staff they can usually be persuaded to lower the price tag and maybe offer you the occasional sneaky shot. During the day the offer a range of Scandinavian inspired food that’ll probably run to about £10 per head. A great place to start an evening with a difference.