Vesterbro, Cph

Culinary guides of Copenhagen presents:

Funky, hip, and full of surprises!

Vesterbro is a funky, hip neighborhood now but only since the last 20 years. Before that the area was home to drug addicts, prostitutes, and homeless people who were in constant scrabbles with the local Police at Station #2—infamous for their tough attitude towards these characters.

The Haymarket (Halmtorvet) is where we start our walk on the wild side. This has many interpretations. Located on the West side of town, it was moved here, from where our City Hall now stands. In 1888, every wed. & sat. hay was sold for horses and people’s beds! The Resistance movement began here in 1943, against the Germans occupying DK.

The Meatpacking district provided livestock & butchering for the whole city. Firstly, the “Brown Butchers” (1600- 1880s), followed by the “White Butchers” (1930s), a move towards more hygienic techniques. Butchering ceased in 1993, remaining an area only for wholesalers until 2007- Warpigs brewery, located in a butchery, is our first tasting. They offer 8 different types of beer per week, served from 22 taps.

We move on to Søndre Boulevard and our next tasting at a very Danish spot offering a creation you can only try here in Denmark. Notice the renovated boulevard which focuses on usability, raised green areas, curved lines and one-way traffic as well as drainage improvements.

Skydebanegade is an absolute favorite. Here we will have another tasting. Our selection normally draws crowds so be prepared! See the gothic style gate (1887) built to prevent pedestrians being hit during firing practice (target a wooden parrot). Note the harbor was at the end of the road! This park is from 1948 and truly is a gem of the neighborhood.

On Absalongade there are many artifacts such as an old fire alarm, original Telephone box from 1880s, and police alarm. Vester VovVov (1927 silent films) is a classic and much-loved cinema by the locals. The art displays began in 1975 making this combination the nation’s oldest. Originally the district was owned by the Royal Shooting Society of Denmark, whose roots go back to 1443, and Christoffer of Bayern. The name changed in 1673 and again in 1776. We see their clubhouse which is of classic style.

Vesterbro Square is busy area and our next tasting is coming up. We are nearby Ny Teater (musicals), the start of the iconic lake district- and the Copenhagen Planetarium with its modern style.

Nearby the art deco Vesterbro S station your next tasting is a 100 year old classic, a traditional Danish hot dog. Glancing over at the amazing multi-colored cinema “Palads Bio” which is also over 100 years! The current color scheme dates from 1989 by artist Paul Gernes. A curious neighbor building is the Circus Building. Completed in 1886, circuses performed then normally in permanent locations. It was part of the entertainment opportunities that opened up after the walls of the city fell. Possibly the most famous of these is Tivoli, where our experience together ends.