Flourishing entertainment in Karlstad

If you had visited Drottninggatan 21 in Karlstad during the 1930s you would have met the brothers Gustaf and Gunnar Ohlsson who ran the electronics company Bröderna Ohlssons Elektriska. Today the premises houses another pair of brothers with the same last name. However, entrepreneurs Andreas and Mattias Olsson transformed the electricity, twisted around the company name and opened the pub that is today listed in the White Guide, Br. Olssons Elektriska.

“Today Andreas and Mattias’ group of companies comprises conference, catering and events operations. In May they will be opening their second restaurant in Karlstad, Br. Olssons Bazaar, which is situated in the newly-constructed office building Skeppet in the Inner Harbour (Inre hamn) area of the city. The concept also includes a cafe, bakery and a 450 square meres outdoor terrace on which to spend balmy summer evenings.

“A homely and easy-going atmosphere will set the tone in combination with good food. The chefs will prepare some of the food in a large serving hatch in order to provide our guests with a greater food experiences”, explains Andreas Olsson.

The extensive menu will offer everything from pizza baked in a wood oven to seafood and other food that is best shared. The outdoor terrace will be a lush and cosy oasis for smaller live acts and summer clubs.

“We will create a place where you can come for a good lunch, dinner or just drinks in a beautiful environment. Every Thursday we will also invite people to a live quiz, which was very much appreciated in our place in Arvika, Olssons Brygga.

Karlstad’s meeting place 

In the heart of Karlstad you will find Karlstad Congress Culture Center, one of the largest and most modern meeting facilities in Scandinavia. In the 18,000 square metres meeting area everything is arranged from magnificent live performances to party conferences and private parties. The events calendar includes Johan Glans’ performance World Tour Of The World, the Glada Hudik Theatre with the Wizard of Oz (Trollkarlen Från Oz) and the Best Of Claes Malmberg.

In addition to the 18 various venues that can accommodate parties of up to 1,620 people, the Center is also home to the restaurant Karl IX. The restaurant produces food from locally-produced raw materials according to the traditions of Värmland. This makes it possible to book your food experience in conjunction with an event or order catering for another destination. If you are on a temporary visit to Karlstad you will also find the city’s great range of hotels just around the corner.

Stay in comfort

A thriving nightlife requires good accommodation. Therefore, in 2016 all of Karlstad’s hotels in the Hotellgruppen association united in order to improve availability and bolster Karlstad as a visiting destination.

“It has worked very well so far. We collaborate with most of the operators as regards events and outwardly marketing ourselves, both through our respective hotels and jointly. We also continually hold competitions in our social media for tickets to many different events”, says Helena Andersson, Chair of Hotellgruppen.

The best of Karlstad according to the White Guide

• Almars Krog – Almars Gård 443
• Apotekare Kaijsers Köksmingel – Kungsgatan 14
• Barón – Järnvägsgatan 1
• Br. Olssons Elektriska – Drottninggatan 21
• Via Appia – Järnvägsgatan 14
• Tiffany’s – Västra Torggatan 19

Read more aboute White Guide in Värmland.