Solveig R.
Yelp
The rain was pattering outside. But inside it's warm and dry, dimly lit with candles in the corners and red velvet curtains. Soft laughter bounces off of the brick wall on one side, and muted sweet nothings drift down from the wooden balcony up above where couples sit close over their desserts.
The scents of cognac and dessert wine lazily mingle and swirl through the air, and a food starts tapping, 1, 2, 3, 4. The cymbals touch gently, picking up the pace a bit, then a thump from a drum, and suddenly there's a remarkable cacophony, as drums, saxophone, piano, and bass pipe up all at once. It melts quickly from dissonance into harmony, sliding down the scales like a rain drop on a silken flower, and we're off on a melodic journey of heartache, hope, and rhythm.
I'm pretty sure Fasching is the best thing that ever happened in Stockholm on a Wednesday night. Of course, it's not limited to Wednesdays. The jazz club has concerts and clubs multiple nights a week, offering everything from soft vocal jazz to soul DJ nights.
I had been meaning to pay a visit for quite a while, and when it finally became a reality, it wasn't a let-down. The venue is perfect, dark with black painted tables, a low stage, and a laid-back feel. The staff are all very friendly and speak perfect Swedish and English.
My friend and I arrived around 19:45 for a concert starting at 20:00, and my friend was famished. Generally if you want to eat you're supposed to book a table at 19:00. But we asked the girl there if it was ok, if we could eat something, and she seemed a bit hesitant at first but then she quickly worked things out and seated as at an empty table on the far side of the stage. We thought it was quite a nice spot actually, but five minutes later she came back and informed us that there was a couple which didn't show up, and she could offer us a better spot. She lead us to a small table right in front of the stage.
I wasn't hungry myself, and my friend ordered a salad and I just had a glass of wine, and the server didn't seem to mind at all. She was very friendly, service-minded, and attentive, asking if we wanted anything else but not being pushy at all. Every single question or request was met with respect, a smile, and a helpful answer.
The jazz itself was absolutely top-notch! We saw the Hanna Elmqvist band, and they were all incredible musicians with great stage presence and a true and apparent enjoyment for the jazz they were playing.
We decided to order dessert and took a vanilla parfait with chocolate and berries, which was simply wonderful.
My only complaint about Fasching is that it is on the whole very expensive. Entrance is at least 100kr usually, and more when it's a big concert. The food and drinks are also pricey - a beef salad is up towards 170kr, and if you want anything more substantial to eat it will be towards 200. A glass of the cheapest white wine, Jacob's Creek, was 78kr.
Still, it was a great night in every way, and it's a perfect way to spoil yourself for a truly great evening of live music and good service!