The 5 best natural wine bars in Copenhagen for your next after work drink

Copenhagen’s growing selection of natural wine bars, which offer seasonal menus paired with intimate atmospheres, makes the Danish capital the up and coming destination for a slow and conscious wine tasting experience.

Bar owners in the city work closely with independent vineyards across Europe to curate an un-manipulated, biodynamic and sustainable wine selection for their cellars. 'Natural wines' mean the grapes have been harvested in harmony with the climate while being free from pesticides and preservatives. Because of a low-intervention approach, each bottle comes with a unique flavour and shade.

Related: 10 beautiful Swedish wineries to visit this summer

These are the bars to try an all-natural tipple in in Denmark's capital.

Located in the heart of Nørrebro, Vivant delivers a lively and intimate atmosphere that embodies the cool vibe of this neighbourhood. The natural wine list is primarily curated from wineries in Italy, Germany and France. “We source bottles based on our personal taste, but also according to pricing as we want to offer affordable options to our local crowd,” explains co-owner Mads Mørch.

Vivant’s most recommended bottle is an orange wine, a floral, pungent, light in colour 2020 Riesling produced in Alsace, France. Whether you choose to grab a glass starting at 75 DKK or a bottle, this is a great spot to settle into a candle-lit corner and strike up a conversation with the local drinkers bustling in and out.

Elmegade 4, 2200 København

For a mellow and upscale experience, head to Ancestrale in Vesterbrø. And make sure you get there during one of the best happy hours in the city. Every day from 4 to 6 pm, you can enjoy a three-glass tasting of this minimalist cellar's seasonal arrivals for 100 DKK.

Their selection changes regularly, but sommelier Johann Duedahl Jacobsen is usually on hand to offer expert insight. “If we had to recommend one bottle, it would be the Sextant Bourgogne Rouge 2019 made from Pinot Noir," he tells us. “It is fresh, vibrant and juicy.”

Jacobsen also notes that “we are certified organic as a restaurant, so our selection ranges from 90 to 100% organic,” and it is well worth lingering until nightfall to get a taste of Ancestrale's tailored menu of fresh veggie and fish dishes that pair perfectly with your wine.

Oehlenschlægersgade 12, 1663 København

Meaning to “tipsy” in French, Pompette is what you will feel after sipping on a few natural wines from this highly coveted cellar in Nørrebro. With the desire to keep it simple, the staff select seasonal wines from France, Italy or Austria for you based on a simple expression of preference for red or white, although entrance into a special wine room for those who prefer to pick their own bottle is also an option.

Pompette’s manager Rachel recommends trying the house orange wine. “Pompette has its own bottle fermented with a small producer in Austria. We call it the dog’s wine, because the owner’s Shiba is the face of the label,” she says. You can pet the bar’s pup while sipping a glass on the terrace, or head inside for an intimate gathering, enjoying the wines such as the orange Kuma Chan 2020 and the Chardonnay Pet’nat 2019 alongside small bites including sourdough bread with olive oil and cheeses.

Møllegade 3, 2200 København

Tucked away in an old B&W ferry waiting room on Refshaleøen, La Banchina is the harbour spot to stop by if you’d like to dip, sip, and repeat all day. You can come in for a swim and sauna, or to have a glass on the dock overlooking Copenhagen.

La Banchina partners with small independent wineries from Italy and favours a low-intervention approach to harvesting. “We source our bottles from small Italian producers through our sister restaurant II Buco, and we visit them every year,” explains social manager Christina. “Our wine profile is natural with low to no added sulphites.”

The selection includes the sunny day-appropriate orange wine Fra '19 Cantina Giardino and the crisp, sparkling white Sospiri Riserva '11 Cà del Vént, which is perfect for settling by the bonfire with after sunset.

Refshalevej 141, 1432 København

As one of the first bars in Copenhagen to embrace natural wines, Ved Stranden 10's elegant setting right in the city centre is a must-visit spot for anyone after a glass of un-interfered with wine. Located by Holmen canals, you can get comfortable in one of the bar's three Rø-inspired living rooms or sip a glass under the sun beside the water.

Their “home” orange wine is more of a red-meets-white: dry, light, yet robust. “For our orange wine, producers ferment white grapes with their skin,” explains Ved Stranden’s manager Maurice. “This gives the wine an oxidative effect that creates the orange shade and acts as a natural preservative.”

Elsewhere on the menu, the bar works closely with Austrian producers to bring in a wide variety of natural reds and whites. Try the White Ecke 2018 or Sønne 2020, which you can savour by the glass or take home with you by the bottle.

Ved Stranden 10, 1061 København