Himkok - Oslo's New Cocktail Land

We love cocktail bars. The drinks look beautiful, the interior is well-designed, and they have an eye for quirky details everywhere. It is like entering a theme park for adults. In Oslo we have the vintage Fuglen, retro Bettola, old classic Morgenstierne and just recently we got the equally beautiful Vérité, Territoriet and Torggata Botaniske added to the list. However, newly opened Himkok takes it a few steps further. It is the Disneyland of cocktail bars. This place has so much going on.

Fjellbekk-San. Himkok aquavit, yuzu sake, spruce syrup and elderflower tonic.

The location is Storgata 27. No, not in the front. Around the corner. Behind the dumpster. Yes, that door without a sign that you would never have guessed. Below the awnings that read "Pels Pels" from the old fur shop that used to be here. Maybe they will make their presence more obvious once everything inside is ready. We were there to get a sneak peak at the soft opening.

Carrot, ginger & ginseng. Health in a glass right there!

Pickled... everything!

As you enter the hallway you are met by cages on the walls, with jars of pickled fruits and vegetables lined up in the shelfs. Enter the cocktail lounge on the right and the first thing you see is a huge distillery machine behind a glass wall. The guys from Behind Bars Consulting, who helped make this place, and Matt, who's in charge of the distillation, reckon this is the only bar in Scandinavia who has one.

Matt will distill aquavit, gin & vodka. The details in this lounge are beautiful, from the lamps in the ceiling to the hydroponic turbines in the far end used to growing herbs for cocktails.

Hydroponic turbines to grow herbs

Peanut butter jelly whisky

The outside areas in the first floor is not ready yet, but the plan is to have a cider bar serving a wide selection of fermented apple beverages. On the other side they want to serve food of some kind, maybe a rotisserie with poultry, and serve beer. If they get their will you will also be able to take away to enjoy in the park.

Relax with a drink

Upstairs is a huge area. The music will be louder and the drinks served faster. Cocktails and beer on tap. There's a retro photo booth to take funny pictures with your friends, and lo and behold! Around the corner is a barber salon. The guys from Dapper at Grünerløkka have brought their concept to Himkok, and taken the name from the old sign outside. PelsPels Barber Salon will cut your hair and trim your beard while you sip your favorite cocktail.

Shave and a cocktail?

Bottled cocktails

In our opinion this is one of the most well made bars in Scandinavia. We look forward to many visits and tasty cocktails here, and to see how all their plans are set to life.

A reversed Bloody Mary. Apple and celery juice with tomato garnish

Can you get a table here?