Cadier Bar at the Grand Hotel

Address: Södra Blasieholmshamnen 8, Stockholm, 103 27, Sweden
Tel: +46 8 679 35 00
Website: view Cadier Bar at the Grand Hotel’s website
Hours: Mon-Fri 07:00-02:00, Sat-Sun 08:00-02:00
Style: Hotel bar
Established: 2006

Review

Named after the founder, Régis Cadier, Grand Hôtel's bar is suitably grand in terms of size and décor. It may be vintage in style, but its cocktails are bang up to date with many made using molecular techniques.

A very ambitious menu of 40 odd cocktails, grouped according to "The Head" (heavier cocktails), "The Face" (fresh and tart -lighter), "The Body" (unexpected combinations) and "The Legs" (lighter cocktails to "keep you standing"). OK, these four categories may be somewhat lost in translation and flicking through the tens of tabs in the menu is a faff but the cocktails feature some very clever uses of a wide range of ingredients and techniques, particularly clarification. Each drink is served with the story behind that drink recounted by your bartender or server. It's only when you hear these stories that the clever use of ingredients becomes apparent.

The long rectangular room has dark wooden panelling rising to a high ornate white plaster ceiling. The long marble bar (16 metres perhaps) lines one of the long walls with floor to ceiling windows overlooking the harbour opposite.

This is an iconic must-visit heritage bar in the city's landmark hotel, consequently, it's never quiet, even mid-afternoon.

Beware, "gentlemen must wear long trousers after 6pm. Please note that the Cadier bar is cash-free."