Alex Skarlen – Lucy’s Flower Shop

My Life

I was born in Stockholm but grew up in several places aside from the capital, such as Gothenburg and Gotland. My whole life I was drawn to the restaurant industry; it was a dream of mine to work there from a young age but I was not allowed to until the age of sixteen. I inherited that dream from my family, since my grandfather, grandmother, uncles, and my parents were all in the same industry. So between the ages of sixteen and eighteen I started washing dishes at a restaurant and worked my way up to the bar in small-town nightclub.

“I did the “nightclub gig” during my younger years, but realized pretty quickly that making “good drinks” was something I really enjoyed doing.”

Alex Skarlen

I did the “nightclub gig” during my younger years, but realized pretty quickly that making “good drinks” was something I really enjoyed doing. By the age of twenty-four I had moved to London and really started to do a deep dive in to the world of cocktails and great spirits. After working in London, Paris, and New York, I finally ended up home in Stockholm, where I now live with my amazing family and have my own bar—Lucy’s Flower Shop—together with Ola Carlson.

Lucy’s Flower Shop

Behind an unmarked, discreet wooden door and down an unassuming set of stairs in the center of Stockholm’s busiest and upmarket nightlife districts lies a hidden basement with one of the city’s best-kept secrets of a cocktail bar: Lucy’s Flower Shop. A creative retreat that caters to both cocktail aficionados and those looking for a social drink in an uplifting yet relaxed atmosphere. Opened in November 2019 by Ola Carlson and me, the tiny, intimate, and cozy space seats only thirty-eight seated guests around its long, prominent dark oak bar, which acts as the centerpiece in the room and immediately gives you a clear impression of what this establishment is all about.

Inspired by our travels and combined thirty-five years of experience running and working in bars, Ola and I had a vision of creating what would be the perfect cocktail bar for the actual space and the location—with the bright, colorful, and uplifting energy of a nightclub yet the cocktail program of a refined drinking establishment. This is the first bar we have created where we could express ourselves completely in every detail, from the planning and interior design to the staff, drinks program, and ambiance, even going as far as the positioning of the electrical outlets. A strictly minimalistic concept that flows through everything right down to the drinks menu. The bar is open Tuesdays to Sundays from 5 pm to 1 am and always has ten to twelve signature drinks on the menu. We also have a classic and contemporary menu of 154 drinks.

Stockholm Recommendations

The Future

I see the future continuing same as now: looking after guests, making great drinks, and playing good music. My hope is also that the industry continues to evolve consistently and makes sure to look after the younger generation of bartenders, so we keep getting amazing new people into the industry for the long run.

Profile

Year born: 1987

Special skill: Talking, talking, talking, and sometimes making up my own worlds

Free time: Travel, pizza, and wine

Bartender since: 2006

Biggest fail: Waited too long to open my own bar

Most significant career step: To open my own bar

Favorite cocktail: Red Hook, it’s just delicious!
Check out Alex’ cocktail recipe: Scotch & Coffee

Favorite bar: Attaboy—great drinks, great service, and an institution

Stockholm in three words: World’s smallest metropolis

Lucy’s Flower Shop Website

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Images: ©Lucy’s Flower Shop