Internationally award-winning bartender Emil Åreng breathes new life into a nearly forgotten Swedish dining tradition, serving classic Swedish comfort food in a pub-style setting, alongside craft beer, cocktails and art. That’s the idea behind Pubsson, a new addition to central Umeå.
Photo: Robert Ekbom
Emil Åreng has made a name for himself far beyond Sweden through his cocktail craftsmanship. His career includes working at Cadierbaren at the Grand Hôtel in Stockholm and co-founding the acclaimed Facit Bar in Umeå. Now, he is taking on a more down-to-earth concept, with traditional Swedish beer café culture at its heart.
When British pub culture took hold in Sweden during the 1970s and 80s, many traditional Swedish beer cafés disappeared. Pubsson explores what might have happened if that tradition had continued to evolve instead.
“Back then, a beer café meant cheap beer, coffee and sandwiches, but no spirits. If the concept had survived to this day, we imagine it would also serve wine, cocktails and a wider selection of food,” says Emil Åreng.
Food takes centre stage at Pubsson. Head chef Emil Gredmo has created a menu that brings together traditional Swedish home-style cooking and influences from pub cultures around the world. Expect familiar flavours with a fresh twist, with an emphasis on hearty, satisfying dishes rather than small plates.
One example is a Swedish take on the British Scotch egg, where the traditional sausage meat is replaced with Swedish meatball mixture. The result reflects Pubsson’s ambition to create an approachable menu that feels both familiar and surprising.
Behind the bar, twelve taps serve a selection of Swedish craft beers. The cocktail menu takes a classic approach, highlighting craftsmanship and Swedish ingredients. The aim is to offer a wide and approachable drinks selection without compromising on quality. And for those in the mood for something completely different, there’s Pucko, Sweden’s iconic chocolate milk.
Photo: Robert Ekbom
Konsten är en viktig del av Pubssons identitet. Emil Åreng har gett konstnären Linnéa Therese Dimitriou, som tidigare var med och grundade Umeåkaféet Schmäck, i uppdrag att tolka det klassiska svenska ölkaféet i modern tappning. Resultatet är bland annat tre stora konstverk på plåt och ett verk på spegel bakom baren. Med inspiration från arbetarkulturen och symboler för arbetarrörelsen knyter konsten an till ölkaféernas historia och ger lokalen ett samtida uttryck.
In recent years, Umeå has established itself as an exciting food and drink destination, with restaurants and bars gaining both national and international recognition. With Pubsson, the city welcomes another distinctive concept that takes inspiration from Swedish food and drink traditions while giving them a fresh, modern twist.
