Spring Equinox at Aifur Viking Restaurant, Stockholm, Sweden

March 26, 2023 | Filed Under Uncategorized | Comments Off on Spring Equinox at Aifur Viking Restaurant, Stockholm, Sweden

I’m traveling for work, and was in Stockholm last week, so I wasn’t home to do any kind of organized ritual for the equinox. Our hosts took us to dinner at Aifur, a Viking-themed restaurant where playing is encouraged, which ended up being just the right place to be that night!

Since we were a large party, our waitress had us pull coins from a large goblet of gold (three each), and then she demanded “payment” when drinks were delivered, which was much more fun than paper drink tickets.

A woman in a Viking apron dress with elaborate jewelry stands in the door of the restaurant.

Welcome to the restaurant! Image credit: Aifur.

Swords (edges dulled) and axes (rubber heads) are passed around, along with helmets and kerches, so people can do photos. There are also chess boards and Hnefatafl sets for those inclined.
There were live musicians playing in a musician’s gallery, and robust sing-alongs on some pieces.
A man in medieval Viking clothing is playing a hurdy gurdy.

Image credit: Aifur.

The host announces each party, and ties their country to the Vikings in some way (“From a land which used to have beautiful woods and plentiful wild boar, but we took care of that! Greet our guests from Belgium!”), and even managed to work a Viking connection to a group from Florida. There were several parties from Turkey as well that night, so many references to the “distant lands in the east filled with treasure—although less after we got there!”
A photo of the feast table, with plates of food, a glass set in an iron stand, and a pottery pitcher.

The feast! Image credit: Aifur.

It was loud and raucous and not my usual thing at all, but the host’s enthusiasm is infectious, the staff are encouraging, and being with a bunch of local people descended from Vikings who were happy to play along made it easy to get into the spirit of things.

We had a great time in a Viking feast hall, with lively music, good food, and plenty of mead to celebrate the passing of winter!

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