Travel
City style guide
Copenhagen & Malmo
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- Flight time:
- 1hr 50mins
Jolene is the naughty, rebellious little sister to cool older brother, Karriere. The two bars rub shoulders in the achingly hip meatpacking district, although Jolene is said to attract a younger, more drugs-orientated crowd. Despite this, it's not intimidating or dodgy, it's just very cool in a dirty, underground way.
Run by two girls from Iceland, Jolene regularly pulls in the crowds. The bar often plays host to live gigs by upcoming artists and new DJs, so it's no surprise that the punters are mainly musicians and the fashion set, with support from students and locals seeking a good time in seedy settings. The formula works; our style spies heard from the locals over and over again that Jolene is a Copenhagen treasure: a guaranteed great night out with unique character.
Built inside an old slaughterhouse, there's a moody darkness to the space. The purple walls, grotty surfaces, antique candle sticks and unfinished tiling make for a raffish, defiant décor. It's small but packs a lot in, look out for the circus style light-bulbs on the walls and the flashes of bright green and red amidst the darkness of the packed dance floor.
Style tip: Have a warm-up drink in Karriere first and then hit Jolene at 1am to experience it at its best.
Style spy
- Think upmarket, top notch cocktails. A place to impress the lady. You'll feel more comfortable smartening up.
- Photographer, 33
Good for
- Cheap drinks, unique, dancing, crazy atmosphere, underground rave feel, dirty night out, cool crowd
Our Verdict
- Main attraction
- Good value night out
+++++
Unlike Karriere, Jolene serves up a basic range of drinks and strictly no cocktails. This is part of its philosophy, which foregoes fancy flourishes for hearty partying. Entrance is free, drinks prices are low and there are a mix of different events on offer, including 60s nights, live rock gigs and electro sets.
- Crowd gauge
- sub-head
+++++
The place is packed full with hot 18-25 year olds huddled around the low Moroccan style tables and perched on old piano stools. Though it's a low-key joint, the crowd is very stylish, modeling the 'geek chic' look beloved of trendy Danes and Swedes.
- Pulling power
- If you're arty, you're in there
+++++
With a dance floor this packed and a crowd this good-looking, the air is charged with hormones. Be cool, get your boogy on and you might get lucky.
- What to wear
- Intellectual raver
+++++
Our spies admired boys wearing geeky specs and modish hats and girls in androgynous outfits, with braces, bow ties and baggy shirts aplenty. Think indie kid goes to art exhibition. Or Pharrell in the library.
+++++
- Sarah Jappy,
- March 24 ‘09
Elsewhere
Bars/Clubs
- Rust
- Nørrebro's finest dance
den with room for 670
- Honey Ryder
- Hotel 27's cocktail lounge
in the city centre
