Being the capital of a country where homosexuality has long been
legal, and where gay and lesbian couples are allowed to marry, has led
to Copenhagen becoming one of the world's premier gay cities. Heads
don't generally turn if a gay or lesbian couple are seen kissing or
holding hands, and many Copenhageners pride themselves on their liberal
attitudes, although occasional cases of gay-bashing do take place. An
example of the city's emancipated attitude is the way its main cruising
spot, H.C. Ørstedsparken, has been equipped with "birdboxes" containing
condoms and lubricating gel, while police patrols here are designed not
to chase out cottaging men, but to protect them from homophobic violence.
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Look out in all major gay hangouts for the English-language Guide to Gay
and Lesbian Denmark , published annually. The monthly, Danish-language
PAN Bladet has dozens of useful listings - fairly easy to decipher even
if you don't speak Danish.
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Paradoxically, Copenhagen's liberal traditions mean that there are fewer
specifically gay and lesbian venues than in less tolerant cities. For
general information , the national organization for gays and lesbians,
the Landforeningen for Bøsser og Lesbiske (LBL) at Teglgårdsstræde 13 (Tues
& Sun 1pm-3am, Thurs 1pm-4am, Fri 1pm-5am, Sat 1pm-6am; tel 33 13 19 48,
www.lbl.dk ) provides a very well-run advice service and is an excellent
place to pick up news of any gay- or lesbian-oriented events in the city.
Alternatively, the telephone service PAN INFO (Mon, Thurs & Sun
8pm-11pm; tel 33 36 00 86) offers information on any aspect of the gay
and lesbian scene in Denmark. For rooms (from 300kr) in gay or gay-friendly
private accommodation call Enjoy on 32 96 02 06 or email jope.rainbow@sol.dk
. Copenhagen's annual gay pride march takes place at the beginning of
August, though it's only been going for a few years and numbers are
still quite low. For further details visit www.mermaidpride.dk
Accommodation
Carsten's Guest House Christians Bygge 28, 5th floor (ring the bell
marked "Carsten Appel") tel 33 14 91 07 or 40 50 91 07 www.copenhagen-gay-life.dk/atcarstens
Bus #1, #2, #3, #11-13 or #40. Guesthouse with a very friendly and
international atmosphere, though the rooms are a bit small and the walls
thin. There's a great roof garden, a comfortable and attractive lounge,
plus a kitchen for guests' use; breakfast costs 40kr. Dorm beds 125kr,
doubles 900-1200kr.
Copenhagen Rainbow Frederiksberggade 25, Indre By tel 33 14 10 25 fax 33
14 10 25 www.copenhagen-rainbow.dk Bus #5, #8, #12-#14, #16, #150S or
Vesterport S-Tog. Brand new, gay-only guesthouse in an excellent
position just off Strøget near Rådhuspladsen. There's a mixture of rooms
with and without en suite, though all have TV and tea- and coffee-making
facilities, and the room rate includes a buffet breakfast. There's also
free Internet access in reception. 900-1200kr.
Hotel Windsor Frederiksborggade 30, Indre By tel 33 11 08 30 Bus #5,
#14, #16, #31, #42, #43, #350S or Nørreport S-Tog. Well-placed, long-established
and unpretentious gay hotel with well-kept, though slightly run-down,
rooms; shower and toilets are shared. Continental breakfast is included
in the room rate. 900-1200kr.
Restaurants, bars and clubs
Centralhjørnet Kattesundet 18, Indre By. Bus #5, #8, #12-14, #16, #150S
or Vesterport S-Tog. Daily noon-1am. Unpretentious and very cheap bar
with a lively atmosphere and a famous jukebox featuring a vast selection
of kitsch pop.
Masken Studiestræde 33, Indre By. Bus #5, #8, #12-14, #16, #150S or
Vesterport S-Tog. Mon-Fri 4pm-2am, Sat & Sun 3pm-2am. Nearly every
segment of the city's gay and lesbian population makes it to this
raucous bar at some point during the week. There's a "girls' night" on
Thursdays from 8pm, whilst Fridays are for young gays and lesbians.
Mens Bar Teglgårdsstræde 3, Indre By. Bus #5, #8, #12-14, #16, #150S or
Nørreport S-Tog. Daily 3pm-2am. The city's most macho bar, popular with
leather men and those who enjoy a walk on the butch side - you won't
find any women or straights here.
PAN Knabrostræde 3, Indre By. Bus #5 or #29. Mon-Wed & Sun 8pm-5am, Fri
& Sat 8pm-6am. Vibrant, loud, raunchy and cruisy, PAN is Copenhagen's
only permanent gay nightclub, though it attracts a straight crowd too.
Friday and Saturday it offers a variety of groovy beats for disco divas;
on other days it's a popular karaoke bar.
Sebastian Hyskenstræde 10, Indre By. Bus #5 or #29. Daily noon-2am. A
traditional first port of call on a night out, the very popular
Sebastian serves good traditional Danish food as well as every kind of
soft and alcoholic drink imaginable. Can get cruisy late in the evening.
Queen Victoria Snaregade 4, Indre By tel 33 91 01 91. Bus #5 or #29.
Daily 5pm-midnight. Owned by well-known drag queen Queen Victoria, this
extremely popular and gay-friendly central Copenhagen restaurant has
good service, and a traditional Danish and international menu served in
a tolerant atmosphere that attracts Danish celebrities and politicians.
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