Jokes Aside opens in Stockholm
The founder of A Bar Called Gemma in Stockholm has opened Jokes Aside, a new cocktail venue in Sweden’s capital.
Jokes Aside comes from Johan Evers and Emma Wili-Blomé.
Evers, a veteran bartender, was the founder of A Bar Called Gemma in Stockholm. The bar placed 78th in The World’s 50 Best Bars list in 2021 and was recognised with a regional nomination for best new cocktail bar at the 2020 Spirited Awards.
The bar closed on 28 March 2026.
Evers was also a finalist at the Diageo World Class Global finals in 2016.
He said: “Jokes Aside is the result of many years of learning, refining and constantly questioning our craft. It’s the most personal project I’ve ever created. A place where we can combine our love for cocktails, hospitality and craftsmanship with the freedom to do things entirely our own way.
“What makes me most proud is doing it alongside one of the most talented teams I’ve ever worked with. This bar belongs as much to their passion, creativity and ambition as it does to mine.”
Evers and Wili-Blomé have collaborated with Swedish furniture manufacturer VERK on the bar’s interior, which is described as a ‘contemporary Scandinavian interior where every material and detail has been carefully considered’.
The space showcases Swedish craftsmanship with raw materials sourced from local suppliers. The emphasis on local manufacturing also reduces the bar’s environmental impact and supports transparent production.
The cocktail programme, meanwhile, is built around a concise list of signature serves and carefully selected classics. The drinks pair Swedish ingredients and seasonal produce with techniques and flavours from around the world.
The team noted that while the bar’s roots are in Sweden, Jokes Aside was created with an ‘international perspective’.
The Sunbeam cocktail includes Tanqueray Gin, Shigemasu Kasutori Shochu, Swedish apples, clementine and honey, while the Five Star Holiday is made with Planteray 3 Stars Rum, Fusetti Cacao, Cocchi Rosa, Swedish strawberries and coconut ‘two ways’, which sees full-fat coconut cream mixed with condensed coconut cream.
Jokes Aside is located at Regeringsgatan in Stockholm. It is open from Monday to Saturday, 4pm to 12.30am.
In other European bar news, the continent’s inaugural 50 Best Bars list was revealed at the start of July.
For more new bars, see our roundup of the hottest openings from spring.
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