Dispensary, Copenhagen

A highlight of a May 2018 visit to Copenhagen was spending a few hours on a Sunday evening at Dispensary, listening to live jazz from the Karin Linn Quartet and drinking the house lager - Beverly Pils Cop brewed locally by Dry & Bitter.

The 39th Copenhagen Marathon had been run earlier on Sunday 13 May while I relaxed at my friends' house in Værløse. The temperature reached 24° C compared to an average 16°C for this date.

Nørrebro station - elevated section of 'F' line

Using my Rejsekort to check in at Værløse station and check out at Nørrebro station after changing from an 'A' line to a 'F' line service at Ryparken station costs 20.80 Dkr, with the off-peak discount applied (approx £2.50), for a journey of approximately 10 miles.

A 7 minute walk along the busy pavement of Nørrebrogade leads to the junction with Ægirsgade where Kösem (Turkish) cafe and restaurant is situated. Dispensary is next door at Nørrebrogade 184 and must take its name from Stjerne Apothek, a previous occupier of the premises whose name still appears above the frontage, in letters of stone.

Just inside the entrance are barrels with blackboards, one lists snacks and the other lists events.

A large blackboard above lists the beers available from the 30 taps which are ranged just underneath the surface of the high wooden bar.
There are comfortable leather seated stools at the bar and from here there was time to choose a beer appropriate for 6pm on a hot day.
I wasn't looking for a beer from the UK so that ruled out the several Beavertown, Left Handed Giant and Fierce options. Some of the (Swedish) Brewski beers were tempting but it was a combination of local brewery (Dry & Bitter) and cheapest price (50 Dkr) that made the Beverly Pils Cop, from tap 1, a good choice. In a Facebook post, Dispensary Whisk(e)y and Beer recommends Port Askaig 8 year old Islay Single Malt Whisky to pair with their house beer!

The left side of the bar has an extensive range of whiskys and whiskeys. A tracked ladder can be moved along to reach the whiskys on the highest shelves. Tasting notes for whiskys and beers are available from clipboards on the bar.

The Karin Linn Quartet had limited space, on the other side of the entrance area from the barrels and blackboard. Kasper Priess Hollesen (guitar), Jon Henriksson (double bass) and Malte Svale Holme Hansen (drums) started off the set with a jazz instrumental. These talented young musicians were then joined by Karin Linn with 'her impressive voice, which is unique in the contemporary Jazz-scape of Copenhagen', As the set progressed, the musicians also took it in turns to show their skills with solo passages. There was a break in the set and with a second 'pint' and the best seat in the bar there was no reason for me to leave until they finally left the 'stage' around 8pm.

Before leaving the bar, a visit to the downstairs toilets revealed that there is a second spacious but rather dark room downstairs with more seating and some games machines.

Returning to the ground floor, the wall of the rear area is interestingly decorated with top, base and staves from a deconstructed whisky barrel.

Before heading back to Nørrebro station there was a convenient stop to be made at
Kösem (Turkish) cafe next door.

It was a lovely evening and I was able to find a bench, with a view of practising skateboarders, at nearby Superkilen park where my takeaway meal could be eaten.

A visit to Dispensary Whisk(e)y and Beer when in Copenhagen is recommended. Check their facebook page for details of free events at the bar.

Facebook: DispensaryKBH