Copenhagen: Vesterbro Beer Walk & Red-Light History Tour

Summary

Vesterbro’s beer, wild stories & the city’s rough edges

You’ll wander Vesterbro’s raw streets with a local guide, tasting eight Danish beers as you go — including stops at Mikkeller and WarPigs. Hear wild stories about Copenhagen’s meatpacking district and red-light area while sharing laughs (and maybe a few cringes) over cold pints. This isn’t just another beer tour; it’s messy, honest fun that sticks with you.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t really know what to expect from a “politically incorrect beer walk” in Copenhagen — maybe some awkward jokes, maybe just another pub crawl. But right from the start in Vesterbro, it felt different. Our guide (Mads — he had this dry Danish humor) handed me my first beer before I’d even finished saying hello. The street outside Colbjørnsensgade was loud and a little gritty, and honestly, it set the mood. You could smell fried onions drifting out of some kebab place across the road. Mads pointed out Tivoli’s rooftops peeking above the station and started talking about trains and Carlsberg like they were old friends.

We walked through Copenhagen Central Station — built in 1911 but still busy as ever. There was this moment when a group of teenagers ran past us laughing, and for a second I wondered if they were part of the tour (they weren’t). Then came Mikkeller. I’d heard about their beers but never tried them at the source. The glass was cold and left condensation on my fingers; tasted kind of citrusy but with that Danish edge I can’t really explain. Mads told us about gypsy brewers shaking up Copenhagen’s beer scene — he called them “beer pirates,” which made me laugh because I pictured actual pirates with hops instead of swords.

The old meatpacking district surprised me most. It’s all white-tiled walls and sudden bursts of color from neon signs or graffiti, with people spilling out onto the pavement holding craft beers or just cigarettes. We passed WarPigs — heavy metal blasting inside — and Mads gave us tips on where to eat if we wanted to come back later (I still think about those food smells mixing with brewery air). And then there was the red-light district: not as seedy as I’d imagined, more like lived-in and honest. We stopped outside Spunk Bar for another sample; someone made a joke about the name that I probably shouldn’t repeat here.

By the end, after eight different beers (give or take), my head was buzzing but not just from alcohol — more from all these weird little details about Copenhagen I’d never get from a guidebook. The weather didn’t matter much; we laughed through drizzle and sunshine both. If you want polished history or polite conversation, maybe skip it… but if you’re up for crude comedy mixed with local beer and real stories? Well, you’ll remember this one.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Vesterbro and beer tasting

• Meet at Colbjørnsensgade 5
• Introduction to Vesterbro neighborhood
• Walk through Copenhagen Central Station
• Sample Mikkeller beers and learn brewery
• Visit historical meatpacking district
• Pass by WarPigs brewpub
• Stop at Spunk Bar for beer sample

Top questions

How many beers do you taste on this Copenhagen beer walk?

You’ll taste 8 different beers during the tour, about 1 litre per person.

Is this tour suitable for people who don’t drink alcohol?

No, this tour is focused on beer tasting and includes several samples throughout.

Where does the Politically Incorrect Beer Walk start?

The meeting point is Colbjørnsensgade 5, 11, 1652 Copenhagen V.

Does the tour include stops in Copenhagen’s red-light district?

Yes, you’ll stop near Spunk Bar in the red-light area for a beer sample and stories.

Are restroom breaks included during the tour?

Yes, there will be at least one restroom stop along the route.

Can you join if it’s raining or cold outside?

Yes, the tour runs outdoors regardless of weather conditions.

Is public transportation nearby for getting to or from the tour?

Yes, public transportation options are available near the meeting point.

Is this a pub crawl?

No, it’s not a pub crawl — it combines beer tasting with history and comedy in Vesterbro.

What’s included

Your day includes guided tastings of eight different Danish beers as you walk through Vesterbro with a local guide; all samples are provided along the route (about one litre total), plus there’s time for restroom stops so you can relax between pours before heading off into Copenhagen’s night on your own terms.