The Idler

Gothenburg

Pubs: mostly cocktail bars called Manhatten and Fifth Avenue – six quid for a half.
Amenities: Huge Football stadium, the sea.
Places of note: King Hokken the Mild built a ‘beautiful summer palace’. Looks like a shed.

Not strictly in UK but the map on the site seems fairly ambiguous about exact locations.

They proudly tell you that “Gothenberg is like Sweden’s Manchester” – take from that what you will.

The women in Gothenberg are stunning, articulate and friendly. Unfortunately they go out with the men of Gothenberg who are aggressive Yuppies who have eaten too much protein. Their subsequent lumpen frames are reminiscent of American Football Players – all neck and shoulders. Add that to their buzz cuts and firm handshakes and you have the composite arsehole.

Going out in Gothenberg is an odd experience. The prohibitive cost of alcohol forces the locals to drink heavily at home, releasing themselves into the nightclubs at 11 in some of the worst clothes imaginable. They dress like Russians. Big hair is a status symbol. While the men strut about like low-rent bouncers, the women observe a patient silence, their eyes betraying their wish to be somewhere else, anywhere else.

Rekjavik is worse.

Andrew Baillie