Upon walking into The Bishops Arms, the first thing most people will notice is the extremely long bar – a bar extensive enough, in fact, to host up to 30 beers on tap all at once. But the possibilities don’t end there.
Behind the bar, there are more than 400 types of whisky and approximately 200 different beers available, making this British-style pub the perfect place to stop for an old favourite or to find something completely new and exhilarating.
With all the options, the choices seem daunting. However, the staff are extremely knowledgeable and available to help you pick your poison – especially manager Christina Wretblad who promised to help my friend and I find the perfect beer.
We embarked on our beer-hunt with the most popular selection at The Bishops Arms, the light and hoppy ‘new American-style’ Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, which is a deep-amber colour with bright high notes and a refreshingly spicy flavour. Next in our line of sampling, we got into the Christmas spirit with Nørrebro Julebryg. Spicier than normal beers, this seasonal specialty is a bit darker and filled with ginger undertones, giving it the perfect Christmas touch.
We also tried a harder-to-find beer from a Norwegian microbrewery that was a bit bolder than the Sierra Nevada but still delicious – probably my version of the perfect beer.
In terms of the whisky, Wretblad recommended the Springbank 18, Benniach 18, and Mortlach 16, but not being big whisky drinkers, my friend and I only dared to tried the gentler Auchentoshan Treewood single-malt. A blend of dark fruit, caramel and toasted hazelnuts, this whisky is best enjoyed clean and goes down smooth. It was a surprising and welcomed beverage after all that beer. The low-key atmosphere of The Bishops Arms is instantly relaxing after a day in the harsh office lighting or staring at a computer screen. And despite the large seating area and quiet music playing in the background, only a soft constant murmur of voices and occasional bout of laughter was heard – even on a busy Friday night – making it the ideal location to unwind and enjoy a conversation with a friend over drinks and a bite to eat.
Although best know for its wide-variety of whisky and beer, The Bishops Arms also serves better-than-average British pub cuisine, including the standard fish and chips platter, and a burger with onion rings and bacon aptly named ‘The Bishops Burger’. On top of those basics, however, there are also options for ever-evolving seasonal entrées like salmon in a saffron and lime sauce and grilled chipotle-glazed entrecote.
Wretblad says that although it’s mainly a bar, it is extremely important to keep the food up to par with the beverages, placing it into the unique category of a ‘gastropub’.
The Copenhagen branch of The Bishops Arms is the first to open outside of Sweden, where there are 34 different locations of the British-style pub. Wretblad describes the pubs as a concept rather than a chain. “They are all owned by Elite Hotels of Sweden, but they aren’t franchises. They have a special touch and a homey feel,” she explained.
Some areas of the establishment are pub-like, some resemble a burger joint, and hidden in the back corner, there’s a special nook that is set up like a library, with bookshelves, leather chairs and a cosy fireplace. This mix- match of feelings all comes together in an overall classic British pub feel. Overall, the experience was supreme. Not only were the staff extraordinarily friendly – but so were the customers. Everyone seemed at ease and in a good mood during a laid-back Friday night over beers and burgers.
The Bishops Arms
Ny Østergade 14, Cph K Open Mon-Thu 12:00-01:00, Fri-Sat 12:00-03:00, Sun 12:00-23:00; 3133 0868
