Tiny globe lights hang from the outdoor awnings and a pair of outdoor heaters create evening ambiance that only enhances an early evening view of the neighborhood. But even with the high bar set by the bar’s exterior, the interior blows that admittedly considerable bar away. While the pricing at Jernbanecafeen is what keeps it from being labeled a dive bar, the explosion of visual stimuli is certainly on par with any great dive. The walls, the ceiling, the seating, the bar, the beer selection, all of it is intense, almost staggering at first glance.
Jernbanecafeen translates to “the railway café” in English, though that information is quickly redundant with one look at the bar’s décor. Model train cars dominate the rear wall of the space, enshrined and lit up behind protective glass. Every bit of branded material within the bar, from the coasters to the glasses features some kind of railway image. And, of course, because there had to be, a model train track rings the front room with an active train upon it that runs back and forth along the wall.
The visual density of the space only intensifies from there, a tornado of Danish flags, birdhouses, metal signs, pictures of locals, paned lamps and small trains cut out of construction paper all hang from the ceiling. The tables that sit in the middle of the front room hold fresh and imitation flowers, safety candles and usually some other kind of accent piece. Red, cushioned benches line the area, complemented by pillows and broken up into distinct snugs. All of it is pulled together by the red carpeting throughout and even that only scratches the surface of the eye assault that takes place upon entry.
