Bars Worth Visiting – Inside One of the World’s Best Bars – Bar Afterglow

In the latest episode of Bars Worth Visiting we continue our quest to uncover must-visit bars around the globe, diving into the creativity, passion, and craft of master bartenders who live and breathe cocktail culture.

In the previous episode, we hit up acclaimed bar and restaurant Tjoget in Stockholm, Sweden. We’re staying in Stockholm to check out Bar Afterglow – the creation of bartenders Jack Parker and Josephine Sondlo and a hidden treasure tucked away on Erstagatan, a quaint street in Sofia on Södermalm’s east side.

Built from Scratch: A Bar as Unique as Its Cocktails

Step into Bar Afterglow and get ready to be wowed by its bold 80s-inspired décor. With room for 150 guests, Jack Parker and Josephine Sondlo not only started this place – they crafted every detail themselves, from the décor and tiles to the colors and even the bar height.

Bar Afterglow is all about creativity, chasing dreams, and creating a space that reflects the passion behind their drinks. “How badly do you want to do the things you want to do? And if the answer is that you really, really want to do it because it’s just fun, then you don’t really care about the money,” Jack explains.

Their dedication to innovation shines through every corner, including their drink menu.

Creative Cocktail Making – Classic Drinks with a Twist

“If you look at the menu, everything is based on a classic but how can we tweak the recipe to make it more modern?” says Josephine. Their unique approach to cocktail creation involves instinctively pairing flavors and colors until they work.

“My process for making drinks doesn’t make sense to anyone but me,” Josephine admits. “I just stick with it – I’m super stubborn –and eventually I have something that’s crazy good.”

Jack chimes in, “Most of my drinks are based on dessert.”

“We don’t want our drinks to be crazy complex – I’m not a complicated person,” laughs Jack.

More than “just another bar,” as you’ll see in the video, Jack and Josephine also focus on sustainable cocktail making, using limitations as a catalyst for creativity. By reusing and remaking products and avoiding ingredients from faraway lands, they embrace sustainability in every cocktail.

‘Pink and Orange’ – A Twist on Sex on the Beach

In this episode, you’ll also meet the ‘Pink and Orange’ – a signature cocktail inspired by the classic Sex on the Beach.

Jack and Josephine took the classic and added their own twist, blending berries and lime juice, straining it, adding Absolut Peach – our delicious peach-flavored vodka – and carbonating the mix.

“I think it was a cheeky way of making that drink. We were like ‘We’re going to use flavored vodka’ because no one else is doing it,” Josephine shares.

Bar Afterglow – A Home Away from Home

Visiting Bar Afterglow really feels like hanging out at Jack and Josephine’s home. “We don’t do service, service – it’s more like hosting; when someone comes home to your apartment or your house,” Jack explains.

With its familiar and laid-back vibe, Bar Afterglow is a place where you can rock up in your pajamas if you feel so inclined. “It’s comfortable, it’s fun – it’s not serious,” Jack says. “Bars are supposed to be fun and relaxed, and I think that’s exactly what Afterglow is.”

“The bar looks like a kitchen island – it feels familiar to people, like when you’re hosting your family or friends at home,” Josephine adds. “It doesn’t need to be complicated – it’s about people and giving them a good time.”

And trust us, a good time is guaranteed! So, whether you’re a local or just passing through, an evening at Bar Afterglow is a must-visit.