The Barking Dog

Inclusively local and casually Mexican…

The recent economic crisis turned this old break dance studio into one of Copenhagen’s most cool cocktail bars. The venue was cheap when Carl Wrangel and Jarek Modzelewski were looking to build their own bar in 2011. As you can imagine the place was not designed for a bar – it didn’t even have plumbing for water – so everything had to be build from scratch.

Both Carl and Jarek live in the multi-ethnic district of Nørrebro northwest of the city center, beyond the location of the old Nothern Gate (Nørreport) and both missed a local chilled hangout with quality beer, cocktails and service. So the idea was born to create a “modern pub” in Nørrebro where you wouldn’t have to dress up or even shave before going out for a drink.

Today the bar is thriving. The Nørrebro crowd seem to love the pub atmosphere of the place. It’s a social meeting point. The music is never too loud for conversation and always played from vinyl. The bar is filled with quality products produced by people that Carl and Jarek really like. You’ll find a huge selection of tequila and mezcal here. In fact the bar is widely known for its niche focus on these Central American spirits and its Mexican vibe.

Another unique trademark of The Barking Dog is that they only have full time employees which is quite uncommon in the industry. The full time employment makes it all more serious as you’ll have dedicated staff who feel committed to the place. On top of that it’s house policy that everyone has to do everything. Everyone is barback, waiter, bartender and host in the door. This means that everyone has an eye on everything and no matter who greets you at the door they’ll give you a good account of what the bar has to offer. It also means that Oliver – the carpenter who helped build the bar – is now serving cocktails behind it.

The menu is not a blueprint of what you’re getting, rather it describes the feeling of every drink and it’s up to you to ask the bartender if you feel the need to know the exact content. Often it will be something you know with a twist. No fuzz just simple quality ingredients balanced well. Every second month the black board with cocktail specials, designed by the crew in turn, is new and provides a good reason to come back.

You’ll feel welcome at The Barking Dog baggy trousers or not – it’s a Nørrebro bar!

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Alexander Banck-Petersen
CoC's photographer and occasional writer. I enjoy cocktail photography almost as much as cocktail imbibery. I try to do the drinks justice by making them appear as appealing to the eye as they are to the mouth and nose. I have a weakness for gins and I'm fond of bitter stuff as well, but I'll enjoy a good rum, bourbon or whisky if I'm forced. :)