When you think of gay hotspots around the world, Stockholm may not be the first destination that enters the mind of homoxual-leaning Londoners. But after spending an amazing weekend there for Stockholm Pride, we think it’s time you re-evaluate your position on Sweden’s capital…
It was a gorgeously sunny Thursday afternoon when this hungover hack touched down in Stockholm. I was just getting used to sharing a cab with lady-lovin’ celeb Jo Webber from Channel 5’s Candy Bar Girls, but we were barely mid-gossip by the time we were in the centre of the city. This is already ingratiating me to Stockholm, especially as back in London, it felt like I’d been sat on that tube to Heathrow for about three years.
When you come from one of the noisiest, smoggiest, craziest cities on the planet, you’re immediately struck by how clean, green and beautiful Stockholm is. But there’s plenty of time to gush about the lushness later… I was too busy checking out my digs for the weekend.
The Hotel Stureplan is now one of my favourite hotels. If you love big, corporate shells, then there are plenty of internationally recognisable brands that you can crash at. However, this cute, relatively small hotel was the perfect blend of modern and classic, with lovely staff… and there was only a fucking three-foot chandelier in my room. Hardly demure, but then again, neither am I!
I began to wonder what they’re putting in the water here because the boys are so beautiful. All of them! By the end of my trip I was starting to feel like a hunchbacked ogre.
Not only were we treated to stories of Stockholm’s gay history by some of its drag queen royalty, but I hadn’t even had time to polish the captain’s telescope before a foam party burst into life on the lower deck. Half naked boys on a boat and endless beer? I love this city already!
The next day we were treated to another stunningly sunny day and a guided tour. When I go on vacation, I usually spend the night trawling bars and the day sleeping and trying to remember who I drunkenly offended.
But I was so glad I got to see the fascinating Vasa Museum to immerse myself in some Swedish history, and the gorgeous, tranquil surroundings of Millesgården.
We soon headed to the centre of the city – and dingy old Leicester Square it aint, boys! A picturesque view and relaxing lunch at the stunning Hotel Skeppsholmen, they love the gays here, with a massive roller-coaster laden amusement park for desert. Astounding!
In the evening, it was time for champers at Fotografiska, a fantastic art and photography exhibition. I’ll be honest, I’d usually rather have my testicles ripped off than visit an art gallery, but this was interesting, modern and just as achingly cool as anything you’d find in Shoreditch – but without the wankers. We ended the day with dinner at Mälarpaviljongen. A gorgeous, gay restaurant on the shores of Riddarfjärden.
Top music, incredible food, a great crowd and a beautiful sunset. A perfect end to an amazing day. Oh yeah, besides the fact we went to one of the biggest gay parties in the city. A deliciously gratuitous line-up of shirtless boys and a performance by Swedish popstrel Agnes? If we squinted hard enough, we could be at G-A-Y!
Saturday was the big one! After brunch at Hilton Stockholm Slussen, it was time for the Pride Parade. I can honestly say that Stockholm Pride makes Pride London look like a village fete.
These bitches went all out. There was such anamazing spirit of community and togetherness, as straight and gay people alike lined the streets in a cacophony of colour, music and good cheer.
Almost every shop, building and even the buses were adorned in rainbow flags. Stockholm Visitors Board boss-lady Christina and I were dancing in the street like lunatics to a remix of Whitney Houston’s ‘It’s Not Right, But It’s Okay’ – and trust me, this party was more than OK. File this under fabulous!
Come Saturday evening, it was my final night, and while the tourist stuff was great fun, I wanted to see how the real people live. My wonderful Stockholm liaison Johan and I bonded straight away, largely over being vicious queens.
So, off we went, Edina and Patsy, on the Stockholm subway to a student apartment near the centre of the city. A raving, vodka-fuelled house party where news spread like wildfire that there was a British person there.
And you haven’t lived until you’ve drunkenly danced in the streets of Stockholm to Gina G’s ‘Ooh aah, Just a Little Bit’! (At least someone’s still playin’ yer tunes, love). Then, we ended the evening in Garage, probably one of the sweatier, harder clubs of the city.
As I staggered bleary eyed on to my early Sunday morning train back to the airport, I couldn’t believe what a delightful, if whirlwind three days I’d had. Don’t listen to rumours about the expense of the city.
Bitches, if you can live in London, Stockholm prices will hardly dent your wallet. And the beauty of the city, friendliness of the people and the sheer amount of fun to be had has ensured that Stockholm will be a holiday destination for me for many years to come. In a word – GO!
Huge thanks to Christina, Stina and Johan from the Stockholm Visitors Board and Anders Lindström from SAS.
Photos by Alisha Acklin
