Develop your chess skills with a personal coach. Play chess with a glass of wine in hand or taste your way through the unique wine list at the bar. The final piece is now in place—take a seat in Sweden’s first wine bar focused on chess.
Located one floor below Laroy, in the historic Arnoldshuset basement, the newly opened Svarta Hästen Chess & Wine. Behind Svarta Hästen Chess & Wine is Joel Ighe, who is also the nightclub manager at Spy Bar.
“Now Stureplan has it all!”, says Joel Ighe.
At Svarta Hästen, the chess boards are yellow and red, the pieces are perfectly weighted, and the wine list is extensive. The most notable feature of the interior is the specially designed chess tables, crafted by furniture maker and artist Kim Björnson from Gothenburg. The bar is made entirely of ash wood, contrasting with chairs by Giancarlo Piretti for Castelli.
The wine bar has room for 20 chess players, as well as space for drop-in guests at the bar. Guests can book a personal chess trainer to further develop their skills. This is a place for those who enjoy a lively bar environment but also want to socialize actively and stimulate their minds. Everyone is welcome to experience chess and wine, regardless of their skill level.
“Playing chess is not mandatory, though. If you just want to soak in the atmosphere, feel free to stop by Biblioteksgatan 21,” says Joel Ighe.
The sommelier at Svarta Hästen is Calle Stuborn, an expert in wine and a former junior champion at Täby Chess Club. The top-tier wine list is based on a selection of wines from Calle’s life.
“Here, you’ll find a combination of everything from classic French elegant wines to youthful natural wines,”, says Calle Stuborn.