Tromsø and Copenhagen have more common points of contact than you might first think. I have the following cards none of these:

Da Danmarks og King Christian IV of Norway made his legendary journey along the Norwegian coast in 1599, where I did not rule out that he also visited Tromsø, among other things to check out how it went with the burning of our local witches.

It is told for moreover, that the good Christian most often had to be carried ashore from the royal ship, and carried on board again after the visit, as his intake of brandy was worthy of a Danish king.

Then Tromsø, after much about and but, finally got its city status in 1794, then it was King Christian VII in Copenhagen who signed the ordinance. Nor was he known for spitting in the glass either.

After at Tromsø gained its city status was perhaps Copenhagen in the city outside Norway’s borders with which Tromsø had the most trade relations. Among other things, countless thousands of liters of Danish grain spirits were imported from Copenhagen to Tromsø, and well into the 19th century.

Then the battle Pølsehavna in Hansjordnesbukta went off the rails in 1812, it was boats and crew from the Danish navy in Copenhagen who fought and fought in the first row against English warships.

Tromsø’s first hotel was established in 1839, and behind the masterpiece great Danish Johan Ludwigsen. He was probably not from Copenhagen, but he certainly had good contacts there.

In the 2000s one once got one of Copenhagen’s new street names «Tromsø Gade».

One of the similarities between today’s Copenhagen and Tromsø, are both cities’ multifaceted and pulsating nightlife. Having regularly visited Copenhagen for the last thirty years, I can warmly recommend the city’s many inns and inns. Many of these are from the 17th and 19th centuries, and therefore have a rich and very interesting history to show.

In the following I would like to invite you to one of these cafes, namely Café Nick in Copenhagen, more specifically in Nikolajgade 20. Since the cafe is located in Nikolajgade, and since the place’s first owner was named Jens Nicolai Christensen, yes, the name of the cafe had to be Café . Nick.

Many of Copenhagen old and historic cafes and inns, are often established down in a basement room, just as Prelaten and Bastard in today’s Tromsø do.

Do you want though To visit Café Nick, you must first conquer a small stone staircase, which leads you up to the cafe’s front door. One of the first things you notice inside the front door is a good, old-fashioned, home-made rug on the floor, and in its simple way it signals «a warm welcome in our small living room». Thus is shown set. And speaking of tones: From the speakers, one immediately notices that the room in the afternoon is filled with muted, American 50s jazz; balm for body and soul. In the evening, it is Bob Dylan and Miles Davis who are regulars on the music front. Beautiful!

The inn consists of a total of six tables, as well as a small bar counter. Intimate, manageable and comfortable.

Bake the disk and older man, as it turns out he has a daughter in Narvik, or a New Year’s lady who has visited Tromsø at the dentist Figenschou.

A large window out onto the street, and a window post filled to the brim with flower pots, a bit like hollow to bolts. On the walls are two large paintings, both with cafe motifs, in addition to many smaller works of art. Worth noting in this context is the fact that most works of art in its time were used as a medium of exchange for some glasses of beer and schnapps. Interesting in this connection, it is worth noting that our own painter Synvis Nordin, can tell the same story, namely that in the 1960s he exchanged his paintings, for example at Samfunnskafeen, for free beer.

And do you think not that on the ladies’ door, you will find another link posted to Tromsø, namely the undersigned «they to Copenhagen», which of course Café Nick is duly mentioned.

Café Nick eh not at all any cafe in Copenhagen. It was established in 1904, and the inn quickly became a very popular gathering place for both artists and writers, including all the Norwegian artists who visited and lived in Copenhagen at the beginning of the 20th century. With reasonable certainty, I can mention that both greats like Olaf Bull, Hans Jæger, Knut Hamsun, Thomas Krag, Edward Munch, Sigurd Mathiesen, Johan Bojer and Nils Collet Vogt have been to the place. Of well-known Danish painters, names such as Jens Søndergaard, Erik Hope, Karl Bovin and Hans Henningsen can be mentioned as the cafe’s regulars.

And speaking of artists:

Just like at Café Nick is located in Nikolaj church, built in 1917, and typically the church is today turned into one of Copenhagen’s most popular art galleries.

Let me exemplify The relationship to Copenhagen’s many inns, by quoting from the poem «White Christmas», written by Olaf Bull:

He empties the festive Christmas schnapps,

just as they go out in the shop.

Then he rises sinfully, on snow and slush,

up the basement stairs.

Already from old of it was close to pubs in this area, and during the 1920s Nikolaj Plads came to be surrounded by a number of popular inns, which to this day form their own environment, and still go by the apt name Minefeltet.

You can on many ways that Café Nick was involved in forming the main mine in the Minefield, and both the street and the square around it also became the origin of the nicknamed Nicolaj bohemian, as the regulars in the Minefield were called.

The cafe was too in his time known for the so-called Nick dance, which involved checking around a bit while hitting on various kitchen utensils.

Today is Cafe Nick is one of the very few classic minefield inns left. Today, I also make up the regular guests the absolute bulk of the clientele at Café Nick, although it may not be frequented by so many artists anymore.

In Tromsø has we recently demonstrated how important the regular cafes are to the city’s residents. I even think of the announced closure of G, which treasures great protests and great commitment among the guests of the place.

For me, shopping Café Nick about nothing less than populism, snobbery, charm, atmosphere, art and culture, intimacy and deep and strong historical roots.

In the afternoon one harmony and tranquility that is unique, in the evening the regular guests’ cheerful passiar. And just to mention: The price of a bottle of Carlsberg is not deterrent at all! And remember: here you have to pay with cash.

Today is the 74-year-old Ruth Jonsgaard who runs Café Nick with a warm and caring hand, and she has done so for the past 27 years.

It is just to hope that the day Ruth decides that enough is enough, that there will then be a worthy heir, who can take over. If not, my call to the Danish state is that the cafe be completely protected for all posterity, as the historical and cultural treasure it is.

Dear Tromsø resident: Welcome to Café Nick!