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Business travel to Copenhagen

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These days, attending a conference at the Bella Center doesn’t mean being stranded in the no man’s land of Amager, as it might have a mere decade ago. Now, with DR’s internationally-acclaimed Koncerthuset, the national Opera House Operaen and smart hotels springing up all the time, Ørestad is buzzing with life and development. Nor is it isolated from downtown Copenhagen: the city center is quite literally only a few Metro stops away. Most of the suggested spots in this guide can be found within walking distance of Kongens Nytorv Metro Station or the Central Train Station.

Image: Casper Moller/ Flickr.

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Author: Jane Graham

Day 1 - Copenhagen

Until recently, Amager was something of a cultural wasteland, but since 2007 you don’t have to go into the city for world-class arts: the new Koncerthuset has no less than four stages, ranging from the vast to the intimate, and the hall’s monumental blue facade is said to appear, “as if the building had been carved out of the sky.” Experience a concert and judge for yourself if the British newspaper Financial Times was right when it wrote, “ For now, this is the most expensive concert hall in the world. Soon it will just be one of the best.” Nearest Metro Station: DR-Byen.
On the other side of the water lies the city’s rival for a flamboyant concert hall, the national opera house, Operaen. The grandiose building has become a landmark on Copenhagen’s harbor since it was completed in 2005, but the interior design is equally flamboyant, including the 105,000 sheets of 24-carat gold leaf in the auditorium. We recommend pre-booking a ‘concert package’, including dinner beforehand in the Opera House’s own exclusive restaurant, situated in the foyer and affording splendid views over the harbor.
For those more nostalgic for old-time cabaret, a Wallmans show has it all. Swedish entertainment empire Wallmans took over the historic circus building in Copenhagen’s Vesterbro neighborhood a number of years ago, transforming a dilapidated revue club into a modern, glitzy nightclub offering ‘dinner and a show’ packages that include a 4-course meal, world-class variety show and late night nightclub in the ticket price.
Beforehand, you could enjoy a cognac in the nostalgic atmosphere of one of the city’s hidden gems, the Library Bar. Located behind the lobby of the hotel Copenhagen Plaza, the Library Bar is open to non-hotel guests. An old-fashioned gentleman’s bar, it was once declared by Forbes Magazine as being among one of the best five bars in the world. Its nostalgic decor includes dark wood panelling, Chesterfield furniture and bookshelves filled with real books.

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Koncerthuset

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Emil Holms Kanal 20
2300 Copenhagen, Denmark

Phone:

45 3520 3040

Operaen

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Ekvipagemestervej 10
1438 Copenhagen, Denmark

Phone:

45 3369 6969

Hovedbanegården

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Banegårdspladsen 4
1570 Copenhagen, Denmark

Phone:

+45 7013 1415

Copenhagen Plaza

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Bernstorffsgade 4
1577 Copenhagen, DK

Phone:

+45 3314 9262

Wallmans Cirkusbygningen

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Jernbanegade 8
1608 Copenhagen, Denmark

Phone:

+45 33 16 3700

Day 2 - Copenhagen

If you only have time to visit one museum in Copenhagen, the Ny Carlsberg Glyptoteket is one of the city’s most beguiling, as well as being centrally located. The vast amount of material runs from French impressionist paintings to ancient Etruscan artefacts, all housed in a beautiful art deco building that can also boast of an indoor winter garden, where you can sit and enjoy refreshments in the museum’s cafe.
One of the hippest spots in town is to be found nearby, on the edge of Tivoli. The North African facade of Nimb may look more theatre set than exclusive restaurant, but the inside is very smart indeed. While you’re in the neighborhood, don’t miss out on a visit to the pleasure gardens themselves. More than just roller coasters and shooting galleries, there’s plenty for the grown-ups here too, including classical concerts, and the gardens are particularly bewitching after dark.
If you’re too busy for sightseeing, you can take in the whole of the city in one dramatic view on the top floor of the Radisson SAS Scandinavia Hotel at the Dining Room restaurant. And for those whose expense account doesn’t stretch to the dinner prices here, you can always enjoy a drink – the bar is open to non-hotel guests every day from 5pm.
Alternatively, the view from Conran’s Custom House empire allows a waterfront panorama, and this renovated art deco Customs Office allows the guest to choose between Italian, Japanese or European Brasserie cuisine in three different restaurants.
Finish the night with a musical style Copenhagen is famous for – jazz. Copenhagen Jazzhouse is the city’s only venue created exclusively for jazz music, in a friendly, unpretentious atmosphere.

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