The Travelling Cocktail Drinker: The Best Bars in Lapland

Back
8th January 2024

Jump to

A week and a half before Christmas and The Travelling Cocktail Drinker could really only visit
one destination. The most festive place in the entire world, Lapland is where
dreams can come true for children with Christmas spirit.

For adults who would prefer an alcoholic spirit, we’ve found the very best bars in the area.

21 Café & Bar, Rovakatu 21, Rovaniemi

This extensive cocktail bar features classics such as the Vesper and Pina Colada, alongside imaginative offerings such as Apple Pie with Ice Cream (cinnamon vodka, vanilla, apple, vanilla ice cream and burned cinnamon). Sweeter food offerings are definitely the bar’s forte, with the waffles in high demand with customers – who doesn’t love a doughy treat with their cocktail?!

Café Bar Kota, Torikuja 3 A, Kittila

The perfect place to enjoy an apres-ski drink, the Café Bar Kota is located at the bottom of a ski slope, so it is also accessible to those who prefer to travel across the snow without any boards attached to their feet! There is no cocktail list, so you need to know what you want before you go in and the experienced bar staff will blend up any of the classics for you.

Sky Kitchen & View, Juhannuskalliontie, Rovaniemi

This bar is only open for the snow season, opening in December each year to welcome the festive tourists. The warm, friendly restaurant and bar prides itself on excellent service and amazing cocktails – try the Lingonberry as you sample the local cuisine – reindeer!

Northern Cowboy, Torikuja, Levi

While in Lapland, you can still satisfy your taste for all things Mexican at the Northern Cowboy. If you are looking for cocktails as a supplement to the wide range of burritos,
enchiladas and churros that they serve, we recommend an Elderflower Margarita
or a Peachy Sheriff. Like many other bars in the region, it is only open for
the tourist season, so make sure to visit before May.

Pardon the interruption

Did you know that you can become a member for free, taking your cocktail making skills up to level 11. You can save your My Bar ingredients, make tasting notes, have personalised Tried and Want to try lists and more.

Yuca, Rovakatu 21,
Rovaniemi

Yuca is owned by the same team that run 21 Café and Bar, so you already know that the cocktail offerings are going to be good. There are just three cocktails on offer, but all are blended to perfection. Why not try a Mezcalito Al Pastor, a surprising mix of Agave Cenizo, pineapple, coriander and lemon that is mouth-wateringly tasty.

A visit to Lapland at Christmas is never dull, with so many activities aimed at families wishing to
boost their Christmas spirit. If you do get a few moments spare, make sure to
visit one of the above bars and round off your trip in the best way.


More to explore

History of the Sazerac Cocktail

An intoxicating combination of absinthe, cognac, and bitters, with a teaspoon of sugar for good meas...

The History of the Shirley Temple

In a bid to encourage those that have so far managed to complete two weeks of Dry January, we are ta...

The History of the Bellini

There is something quite fancy and decadent about the Bellini. It feels a little bit more special th...

Tag cloud

Explore more with our randomised tag cloud.

Bartender's top tip

The key to a great cocktail is balance. Ensure that the sweetness, sourness, bitterness, and alcohol are in harmony. Use fresh ingredients whenever possible, and don't be shy about adjusting the proportions to suit your taste. For instance, if you find a drink too sour, add a bit more sweetener, or if it's too sweet, balance it with a bit of citrus or bitters.

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Get tips straight into your inbox.

Upgrade your mixology

Become a member for free taking your cocktail making skills up to level 11. Or become a premium member to rise to cocktail greatness.

  • Save your bar forever
  • Access to our Cocktail Creator, allowing you to create your own wonderful concoctions.
  • Create personalised cocktail menus for all your events, bars or parties
  • Save cocktails to personalised 'Tried' and 'Want to try' lists
  • Create and record tasting notes on cocktails
  • Create lists of cocktails to share with friends and family
  • A personalised MyBar URL, allowing you to share everything you can make with friends
  • And much more ... (what to buy next, measurement choices, search personalisation...)

Create your own cocktail menu!

Use our interactive cocktail menu creator for free, and create wonderful looking cocktail menus for your next party, gathering or bar.

Great looking pre-built designed themes, group your cocktails, choose what to show on them and a host more options.

Get creating