Damhuskroen

Have you ever imagined a place where history and merriment intertwine? Welcome to Damhuskroen. Right here in Rødvre just west of Copenhagen stands this remarkable inn. Its story begins in the early 17th century. King Christian IV granted permission to build a small guardhouse near the dam over Damhussøen. A supervisor lived there. He monitored the dam’s sluice. In 1682 a tavern first appears in Rødvre’s description. It was then called Langvejs Damhus. However there was no official license to operate a tavern. A royal privilege was only obtained in 1757. The arrival of the railway from Copenhagen to Roskilde drastically reduced the inn’s guests. But the late 1800s saw a renaissance. Many Copenhageners frequented Damhuskroen for its rural charm. Famous authors Holger Drachmann and Viggo Stuckenberg were among its patrons. Around 1930 Damhuskroen’s popularity waned. Its visitors were considered questionable. The Stephansen family took over in 1936. They transformed Damhuskroen into a popular venue. It hosted various events. These included association meetings balls amateur theatricals and Christmas parties. During the occupation Damhuskroen hosted many national gatherings. These often featured communal singing. Rødvre and Omegns Gymnastikforening organized many of these events. They engaged performers like Gunnar Lemvigh Ib Schönberg Christian Arhoff and Erika Voigt. Damhuskroen later became known for its widows’ balls. These Ladies Nights were extremely popular. Its Christmas parties remain a tradition. Many entertainers performed there including Monrad and Rislund. In June 2020 The Old Irish Pub took over Damhuskroen. So raise a glass to Damhuskroen a place where centuries of stories unfold. A place where history lives on in every clinking glass and every lively song. A place that continues to welcome guests from near and far.