Underbar at Hotel Nordlandet

Cliffside bar at the edge of the Baltic

Underbar sits tucked into the lower levels of Hotel Nordlandet, perched on the rocky coastline just outside Allinge-Sandvig on Bornholm’s wild northern shore. From the moment you step inside, the bar feels inseparable from the sea: large windows frame an uninterrupted horizon, and on windy days you can watch whitecaps roll straight toward the rocks below. The building’s low profile and muted tones let the landscape dominate, so the drama comes from the crashing surf and shifting Bornholm light rather than from flashy decor. The approach takes you past the main hotel and down toward the water, and with every step the sound of the waves grows louder. Once inside, Underbar’s layout maximises the setting, with most seats oriented toward the view. On quiet afternoons it can feel almost like a private hideaway, with only the hum of conversation and the distant call of seabirds breaking the stillness outside.

Nordic design with a laid-back beach-house soul

The interior follows the same pared-back Scandinavian aesthetic as the hotel above: clean lines, natural wood, and a palette of soft greys, sand, and sea-greens that echo the cliffs and water beyond the glass. Subtle details—simple pottery, textured fabrics, candlelight on darker evenings—add a sense of hygge without ever feeling fussy. Seating mixes low lounge chairs, bar stools and window-side tables, so you can choose between sinking in with a long drink or perching for a quick sunset cocktail. Lighting is intentionally gentle, allowing the glow from the sky to set the mood early in the evening and then dimming into a cosy, cocoon-like atmosphere later at night. When the terrace doors are open in summer, the bar takes on a breezy, almost beach-club feel, though the overall atmosphere remains intimate and unpretentious.

Cocktails by the sea and a taste of Bornholm

Underbar is best known for well-crafted drinks served with a strong sense of place. The cocktail list typically leans into Nordic flavours—think herbal notes, local berries, citrus and bitter aperitifs—presented in a clean, modern style. The wine selection is compact but curated, with by-the-glass options well suited to both leisurely sundowners and a single nightcap after dinner in the hotel restaurant. Beer drinkers will usually find a mix of Danish brews and at least a nod to Bornholm producers, and there is often a small range of non-alcoholic choices for those skipping the alcohol but not the view. While Underbar is primarily a drinks venue rather than a full restaurant, you can often pair your glass with simple bar snacks or light bites, making it a welcoming stop before or after a meal elsewhere on the property or in Allinge-Sandvig.

Sunsets, seasons and changing moods

Timing shapes the experience here. On bright summer evenings, the terrace becomes prime real estate as the sun drops toward the horizon, bathing the bar in soft gold and turning the Baltic into a sheet of reflected colour. At these times Underbar can feel lively and social, with conversation spilling out toward the water and a gentle soundtrack in the background. Later at night, as the sky deepens and the wind picks up, the mood shifts toward something more intimate and atmospheric. Outside the main summer season, Underbar can feel like a cosy refuge from Bornholm’s weather. Stormy seas and low clouds become part of the show, best appreciated from a window seat with a warm drink in hand. It is this ability to be both a buzzing summer hangout and a snug hideaway on cooler days that gives the bar its enduring appeal.

A relaxed gathering place for hotel guests and locals

Though directly connected to Hotel Nordlandet, Underbar acts almost as its own little world. Hotel guests wander down for pre-dinner drinks or linger long after dessert, while locals from Allinge-Sandvig slip in for a quiet glass of wine with the sea as a backdrop. The atmosphere remains casual—no dress code, no need to dress up beyond what the weather demands—making it an easy place to end a day of coastal walks, swims in the nearby rocky bay, or explorations of Bornholm’s northern cliffs. The bar’s scale is relatively small, which preserves its intimate character. At times it can fill quickly, especially in peak season on clear evenings, but even when busy it tends to feel like a convivial living room beside the sea rather than a loud, high-energy venue. For many visitors to the island, Underbar becomes the spot where days naturally wind down: a final look at the horizon, one last drink, and the steady sound of the Baltic before bed.