So, Mixx asked me to do a write up on Gothenburg and seeing how I was already looking to introduce me to the board this is an introduction as good as any.
This data sheet is very much a work in progress. I’ll add to it as new venues, lodgings and tidbits pop up. Give me feedback on what you’d like to see and I’ll do my best to provide you with the best info. This is especially true for the recruiting part.
About Sweden:
Despite popular belief Sweden has left its socialistic heritage behind it and elected a right wing government for the last two general elections. With the right wing alliance's success in navigating the financial crisis and keeping the Swedish economy strong it is poised to repeating this feat. Despite this, Sweden is for most foreigners still very much a nanny state with a state monopoly on alcohol (systembolaget), strict DUI + drug laws and very liberalized/progressive women.
As english is a compulsary course in school from 4th grade (10 year olds) anyone with a passable command of the language will be able to navigate the country without any problems. You will be able to carry extensive conversations in english with anyone 18+.
Sweden is one of the world's most sylvan countries with nearly 65% being covered with forest and a very low population density in the countryside as a result. The overall eco-mindedness of the population along with the above fact makes Sweden a haven for quiet getaways and hiking. The same factors pretty much forces the casual visitor to concentrate on the nation's two major cities (Stockholm & Gothenburg) if you're interested in hooking up with the fairer sex.
Getting around in Sweden is easy. The public transportation system is very well developed and the travel system of choice whether you're going across the country by train or out on the town at night by bus/tram/subway. Just about all local travel supports SMS ticketing, and unless you're staying for anything >1 week you'll do fine just relying on this.
Sweden is one of the most wired countries in the world. You'll get open wi-fi everywhere and even better, buying a local cash SIM card for your phone will have you calling nationally and internationally cheaper than with your own SIM at home (unless you're from Singapore). Get one of those (they are 49 SEK at most convenience stores + cash refill).
When to go:
During the spring or summer months, May to mid September. Go any other time and your ballsack will freeze and drop off, leaving you of little use to local girls. Swedes pretty much hibernate during the winter months and the partying is less intense so don't bother. You can experience some great skiing in the winters though.
Where to go:
For the trip and nature: Sarek, The east northern coast, The islands Öland & Gotland, The west coast immediately above Gothenburg.
For recruiting talent: Stockholm or Gothenburg. Period. You could go to in theory go to Malmö as a combination with visiting the Danish capital Copenhagen but I really can't recommend Denmark, neither for the trip nor its women. This guide concentrates on Gothenburg. Generally considered to be the more relaxed of the two.
Where to stay:
Hotels in Sweden are notoriously expensive but tend to have very good mid-range standards to make up for it. If you can bear the cost however the availability of a hotel room close to city center will make closing a lot easier for you. Many times closing swedish girls is mostly a matter of logistics (hence I live in the inner city). If sleeping in a hotel bed is an option to getting an expensive taxi ride or spending an hour on the bus getting home then that might just be all your recruits might need.
The hotels I’ve marked with * have concierges that will get you onto nightclub’s guest list should you ask.
*Avalon: The best hotel in town IMO. Great location, good beds and tasteful rooms. Their popular outside restaurant/bar is a very hot place for daygaming on lunches and weekends as well as during the evenings.
*Gothia Towers: The city’s largest buildings and thus impossible to miss. Seven well-visited Bars and restaurants (one of them Incontro mentioned below) gives you the option to remain at the hotel for the entire stay and still meet tons of girls.
Lilton: Cheesy name aside, this place is a good budget hotel that’s still not too far from where the action is. If you’re travelling with someone else and planning for a longer stay you could probably negotiate a rate that would rival
If you're on a budget: Swedish hostels are generally clean, safe, provide wi-fi and hold surprisingly central locations.
Make sure you always book a hotel room for two, it will add nothing to the cost for the room. The reason for this is to pre-empt any objection a grumpy receptionist you might have when bringing talent up to your room (though this is rarely a problem). Also as breakfast is almost always included in the room rate in Swedish hotels it means you can offer a very tempting buffet breakfast to any talent in the morning.
Where to party/recruit:
First a note. Cover on Swedish nightclubs can be a pain. Expect anything from $10-$25. Most clubs however do not put up any cover charge if you’re there early (usually before 10pm). If you know anything about working bars/clubs you should be there early anyhow, alone with the girls while the guys are sitting at home pre-drinking until 1am. After 2am I personally wouldn’t bother with clubs but rather head over to a hotel bar.
Sticky fingers: A 3-floor rock club and a hit with the city’s younger crowd. You’ll find many bohemian and (wannabe) rebel types here that would easily click with backpackers. The male-female ratio however is a little off and you won’t encounter the best looking girls. Still it’s definitely one of the more atmospheric
Push: Brands itself as the premier GBG nightclub. I wouldn’t know about that but the prices certainly are. The crowd is good looking but expect to get a more attitude in this place that seem to give the girls a little more sense of entitlement.
Palace: Affectionately referred to around town as “Jurassic Park”. The city’s most prominent hang out for the 35+ crowd. Not what I would usually advise visitors to go to and I don’t go there myself but if you like MILFs the crowd here will suck the marrow off your bones. These ladies are without shame and will make you believe it. The bar has a bell that is rung everytime someone below 30 walks in, the signal for jailbait entering.
Incontro: On Friday evenings this lounge turns into the city’s #1 spot for 30-somethings. At 5pm the place starts to fill up, at 6pm it’s full, at 7pm there’s a 1h line outside. With a piano bar, a large outside area and subdued music this place makes it easy to cruise between groups.
Lounge(s): One of the more classy Nightclubs with 3-floors (one being a rooftop terrace) and lots of areas where the music is softer making conversation easy. Usually sports some of the better looking talent in town, Don’t show up after midnight as the place gets packed fast.
Port Du soleil: A summertime establishment down by the marina that is considered one of the most exclusive clubs in Scandinavia. Packed by 9am with the best looking people Sweden has to offer. Might not be the best place for recruiting talent due to the sound volume but has world class DJs (Steve Angello, Axwell, SHM, Yesiir) and the best party of any place in town during the summer.
Where to NOT party/recruit:
Rockbaren: A very seedy rock/metal bar commonly frequented by biker gang members and other dubious characters. While the metalheads swilling cheap beer are friendly enough the constant fights and risk of hitting on the wrong girl should make sure you give this place a pass.
Dancing Dingos: An australian bar frequented by aussies, irish and a young crowd that want to drink cheap watered-out shots. Very sketchy management that will back some of the violent regulars (guess the nationality from the above list) should fighting break out. It is ironically enough situated right across from Rockbaren which gives you all the less reason to even step on the street where these places are located.
Some notes on recruiting talent in Sweden:
This is all from my experiences and observations. Being a Swede myself I don’t have the advantage of fresh eyes. I have however travelled extensively, lived abroad and collected my share of flags (I don’t like that juvenile term, but for argument) so I do have some international references to bring to the comparassion.
Misc. Info:
Tipping: Only if you receive exceptional service. You’re generally not expected to tip.
Taxi: Extremely safe, non-existing chance of getting scammed if you go with any of the 3 major operators (Taxi Kurir, Taxi Göteborg or Mini-taxi) that make up for 90% of all the taxis in GBG. These taxis have cameras meant as much to monitor their drivers as the passengers. Taxis however are very expensive. For visitors there really is no reason to use them given the great availability of public transportation.
This data sheet is very much a work in progress. I’ll add to it as new venues, lodgings and tidbits pop up. Give me feedback on what you’d like to see and I’ll do my best to provide you with the best info. This is especially true for the recruiting part.
About Sweden:
Despite popular belief Sweden has left its socialistic heritage behind it and elected a right wing government for the last two general elections. With the right wing alliance's success in navigating the financial crisis and keeping the Swedish economy strong it is poised to repeating this feat. Despite this, Sweden is for most foreigners still very much a nanny state with a state monopoly on alcohol (systembolaget), strict DUI + drug laws and very liberalized/progressive women.
As english is a compulsary course in school from 4th grade (10 year olds) anyone with a passable command of the language will be able to navigate the country without any problems. You will be able to carry extensive conversations in english with anyone 18+.
Sweden is one of the world's most sylvan countries with nearly 65% being covered with forest and a very low population density in the countryside as a result. The overall eco-mindedness of the population along with the above fact makes Sweden a haven for quiet getaways and hiking. The same factors pretty much forces the casual visitor to concentrate on the nation's two major cities (Stockholm & Gothenburg) if you're interested in hooking up with the fairer sex.
Getting around in Sweden is easy. The public transportation system is very well developed and the travel system of choice whether you're going across the country by train or out on the town at night by bus/tram/subway. Just about all local travel supports SMS ticketing, and unless you're staying for anything >1 week you'll do fine just relying on this.
Sweden is one of the most wired countries in the world. You'll get open wi-fi everywhere and even better, buying a local cash SIM card for your phone will have you calling nationally and internationally cheaper than with your own SIM at home (unless you're from Singapore). Get one of those (they are 49 SEK at most convenience stores + cash refill).
When to go:
During the spring or summer months, May to mid September. Go any other time and your ballsack will freeze and drop off, leaving you of little use to local girls. Swedes pretty much hibernate during the winter months and the partying is less intense so don't bother. You can experience some great skiing in the winters though.
Where to go:
For the trip and nature: Sarek, The east northern coast, The islands Öland & Gotland, The west coast immediately above Gothenburg.
For recruiting talent: Stockholm or Gothenburg. Period. You could go to in theory go to Malmö as a combination with visiting the Danish capital Copenhagen but I really can't recommend Denmark, neither for the trip nor its women. This guide concentrates on Gothenburg. Generally considered to be the more relaxed of the two.
Where to stay:
Hotels in Sweden are notoriously expensive but tend to have very good mid-range standards to make up for it. If you can bear the cost however the availability of a hotel room close to city center will make closing a lot easier for you. Many times closing swedish girls is mostly a matter of logistics (hence I live in the inner city). If sleeping in a hotel bed is an option to getting an expensive taxi ride or spending an hour on the bus getting home then that might just be all your recruits might need.
The hotels I’ve marked with * have concierges that will get you onto nightclub’s guest list should you ask.
*Avalon: The best hotel in town IMO. Great location, good beds and tasteful rooms. Their popular outside restaurant/bar is a very hot place for daygaming on lunches and weekends as well as during the evenings.
*Gothia Towers: The city’s largest buildings and thus impossible to miss. Seven well-visited Bars and restaurants (one of them Incontro mentioned below) gives you the option to remain at the hotel for the entire stay and still meet tons of girls.
Lilton: Cheesy name aside, this place is a good budget hotel that’s still not too far from where the action is. If you’re travelling with someone else and planning for a longer stay you could probably negotiate a rate that would rival
If you're on a budget: Swedish hostels are generally clean, safe, provide wi-fi and hold surprisingly central locations.
Make sure you always book a hotel room for two, it will add nothing to the cost for the room. The reason for this is to pre-empt any objection a grumpy receptionist you might have when bringing talent up to your room (though this is rarely a problem). Also as breakfast is almost always included in the room rate in Swedish hotels it means you can offer a very tempting buffet breakfast to any talent in the morning.
Where to party/recruit:
First a note. Cover on Swedish nightclubs can be a pain. Expect anything from $10-$25. Most clubs however do not put up any cover charge if you’re there early (usually before 10pm). If you know anything about working bars/clubs you should be there early anyhow, alone with the girls while the guys are sitting at home pre-drinking until 1am. After 2am I personally wouldn’t bother with clubs but rather head over to a hotel bar.
Sticky fingers: A 3-floor rock club and a hit with the city’s younger crowd. You’ll find many bohemian and (wannabe) rebel types here that would easily click with backpackers. The male-female ratio however is a little off and you won’t encounter the best looking girls. Still it’s definitely one of the more atmospheric
Push: Brands itself as the premier GBG nightclub. I wouldn’t know about that but the prices certainly are. The crowd is good looking but expect to get a more attitude in this place that seem to give the girls a little more sense of entitlement.
Palace: Affectionately referred to around town as “Jurassic Park”. The city’s most prominent hang out for the 35+ crowd. Not what I would usually advise visitors to go to and I don’t go there myself but if you like MILFs the crowd here will suck the marrow off your bones. These ladies are without shame and will make you believe it. The bar has a bell that is rung everytime someone below 30 walks in, the signal for jailbait entering.
Incontro: On Friday evenings this lounge turns into the city’s #1 spot for 30-somethings. At 5pm the place starts to fill up, at 6pm it’s full, at 7pm there’s a 1h line outside. With a piano bar, a large outside area and subdued music this place makes it easy to cruise between groups.
Lounge(s): One of the more classy Nightclubs with 3-floors (one being a rooftop terrace) and lots of areas where the music is softer making conversation easy. Usually sports some of the better looking talent in town, Don’t show up after midnight as the place gets packed fast.
Port Du soleil: A summertime establishment down by the marina that is considered one of the most exclusive clubs in Scandinavia. Packed by 9am with the best looking people Sweden has to offer. Might not be the best place for recruiting talent due to the sound volume but has world class DJs (Steve Angello, Axwell, SHM, Yesiir) and the best party of any place in town during the summer.
Where to NOT party/recruit:
Rockbaren: A very seedy rock/metal bar commonly frequented by biker gang members and other dubious characters. While the metalheads swilling cheap beer are friendly enough the constant fights and risk of hitting on the wrong girl should make sure you give this place a pass.
Dancing Dingos: An australian bar frequented by aussies, irish and a young crowd that want to drink cheap watered-out shots. Very sketchy management that will back some of the violent regulars (guess the nationality from the above list) should fighting break out. It is ironically enough situated right across from Rockbaren which gives you all the less reason to even step on the street where these places are located.
Some notes on recruiting talent in Sweden:
This is all from my experiences and observations. Being a Swede myself I don’t have the advantage of fresh eyes. I have however travelled extensively, lived abroad and collected my share of flags (I don’t like that juvenile term, but for argument) so I do have some international references to bring to the comparassion.
- Swedes are by european standards somewhat reserved. This has been interpreted as snotty, aloof or even rude. It has more to do with Swedes in general being shy and proud. A combination that amounts to minimizing unknown outside contacs due to the risk of hurting their own ego should one take the wrong steps. If you are aware of this it is something you should work into your recruting – if someone is shitting on you when approached you should call them on it in a non-confrontational way. Don’t apologize. Firm but polite.
- With the above in mind the situation changes when a Swede goes travels and become far more approachable when encountered outside the country’s border. They are allowing adventure into their lives.
- Swedes are generally considered to be good looking while at the same time being quite fashion forward. Unless you are a Hugo Boss suited model you will not cut it alone with looks and dress sense.
- The one thing that I’m the most embarassed about my fellow countrymen: Swedes have very little clue about the nuances of international politics but consider themselves to have the solution for everything. In short NEVER get into a discussion with a Swede about politics, the nanny state, taxation etc. Just change the subject or change the talent, you can’t this one. Remember that part about Swedes being very proud? This can work to your advantage. Indirect compliments on the beauty of the Swedish nature, the overall cleanliness, all the great swedish bands (see tip 7 though) will warm up most crowds.
- Equal rights is a riot. It means girls are free of guilt when going home with guys and it means they are expected to buy every second round of drinks on a date (don’t count on it in clubs though). Chauvinism with a swedish girl in anything but a playful way will end with you dating your hand. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be manly which is something many swedish guys themselves do not get. Dropping the macho act does not mean dropping being a man.
- I’m keeping this for myself for a while longer.. don’t want to give it away…
- Do not EVER try to be funny by doing a the muppet Swedish chef interpretation or talking about how you like ABBA. We have heard/seen it all before and it confirms that you are an ignoramus that hasn’t bothered looking beyond the stereotypes.
Misc. Info:
Tipping: Only if you receive exceptional service. You’re generally not expected to tip.
Taxi: Extremely safe, non-existing chance of getting scammed if you go with any of the 3 major operators (Taxi Kurir, Taxi Göteborg or Mini-taxi) that make up for 90% of all the taxis in GBG. These taxis have cameras meant as much to monitor their drivers as the passengers. Taxis however are very expensive. For visitors there really is no reason to use them given the great availability of public transportation.