Bogholderiet – Ølbar på Værftet, Svendborg

Harbour bar in an old shipyard setting

Bogholderiet – Ølbar på Værftet sits on Frederiksø in Svendborg Harbour, in buildings that once belonged to the town’s working shipyard. Inside, the space still feels faintly industrial: dark walls, heavy beams and a long bar counter that has served generations of workers and, now, beer enthusiasts. The rough edges are deliberate, softened by warm lighting, candles on the tables and an easy-going soundtrack that invites you to linger. Large windows and outdoor tables connect the bar directly to the harbour. On clear days you can sit outside and watch ferries, fishing boats and classic wooden vessels come and go, with the low skyline of Svendborg just across the water. Even on winter evenings, the glow from inside makes the bar feel like a snug hideaway in the middle of the waterfront.

One of Denmark’s most extensive beer selections

Bogholderiet is built around beer. Behind and beneath the bar is a remarkably well-stocked beer cellar, with more than 250 different special brews from Denmark and abroad. Shelves are lined with everything from local Funen ales to Belgian sours, German classics and strong barrel-aged stouts, alongside lighter lagers and alcohol-reduced options. A prominent tap wall usually pours around 20–22 draft beers at a time, with styles rotating frequently. The range can include crisp pilsners, hazy IPAs, dark porters, farmhouse saisons and seasonal releases, so repeat visits rarely feel the same. Staff are used to guiding guests through the options, suggesting tasting flights or pointing out limited editions if you want to try something unusual.

Burgers, bar snacks and easygoing dining

Although beer is the main draw, Bogholderiet also doubles as a casual burger joint. The kitchen focuses on hearty, straightforward plates designed to match a good pint: juicy burgers in soft buns, fries and small sides that you can share across the table. The food is served without fuss, matching the informal tone of the bar. This makes the place as suitable for a relaxed early dinner as for a late-night drink. Families with older children, groups of friends and couples can all treat it as a simple harbourfront eatery before wandering further into Svendborg or staying on for another round at the bar.

Laid-back atmosphere from afternoon to late night

Bogholderiet usually opens mid-afternoon during the week, earlier on Fridays and Saturdays, and keeps the lights on until late on weekend nights. The rhythm of the day changes as the hours pass. Early in the afternoon, the bar can feel almost like a café, with people chatting quietly over a single beer and reading or watching the harbour. As evening falls, the mood becomes livelier but stays relaxed and unpretentious. There is space for 50–70 guests across different seating groups, so you can choose between bar stools close to the taps or more secluded corners for longer conversations. On summer evenings the outside seating fills with people enjoying the last light over the water.

Beer tastings and social gatherings

Bogholderiet also hosts beer tastings and themed events from time to time, sometimes focusing on particular breweries or styles. These are a chance to compare several different brews side by side and learn more about what is in the glass, whether you are already a craft beer fan or just curious. The flexible layout makes the bar a natural meeting point for small celebrations, after-work gatherings or informal get-togethers during a weekend in Svendborg. The combination of characterful surroundings, serious beer choice and friendly service gives it the feel of a neighbourhood bar that also happens to be a destination in its own right for beer lovers.

Part of Svendborg’s evolving waterfront

Frederiksø and the old shipyard area around Bogholderiet have been gradually transformed from purely industrial land into a mixed cultural and leisure district. The bar is one of several venues breathing new life into these historic buildings, and its name – “the bookkeeping office” – hints at the maritime past. Sitting here with a glass in hand, you are surrounded by traces of that history: dock walls, former workshops and views across to the town where shipowners, sailors and craftsmen once kept the harbour busy. Today the pace is gentler, but Bogholderiet still feels rooted in Svendborg’s connection to the sea, making it a fitting spot to end a day spent exploring the coast and islands of South Funen.