History of the Cafe
Café Langebro's roots run deep in the history of Islands Brygge. Step into a time capsule since 1917.
Before the 20th century, most of Islands Brygge was submerged. Between 1901 and 1906, the harbor area between Artillerivej and Langebro was reclaimed. Near the end of this period, the first buildings were constructed along the quay, including Langebrohus, where Café Langebro is located.
Already in 1904, master builder Røhler purchased the plot where Langebrohus was built. The building was completed in October 1905 and, with its impressive towers, formed a grand entrance to Islands Brygge. The entire ground floor of the building was suited for shops, and Café Langebro in particular became a place where the food was highly popular, and cabaret and music were performed.
There were many shops in the building, including a men's lingerie shop, a pharmacy, and a post office. Restaurateur G. Keller, who was well-known as the head waiter at Den Kgl. Skydebane, founded Café Langebro on October 1, 1917, at Islands Brygge 1. The business comprised a café, restaurant, and small banquet rooms for about 18 guests (these rooms were located in what is now a hair salon). In the summer, restaurateur Keller set up a beautiful terrace spanning the entire facade, which was highly popular along with the indoor restaurant, serving a good, inexpensive home-cooked dinner. The size of the terrace shrank significantly when the current Langebro bridge was completed in 1954.
A restaurant business has been run in the premises under the name Café Langebro since 1917, except for a brief period starting in 1955 when the new owner renamed Café Langebro to 'Lille Europa' (Little Europe) – named after Hotel Europa from 1954 (later known as the HK skyscraper). Café Langebro was run until April 10, 2003, by Bjarne Schnell, who is known to many as one of Denmark's best trotting jockeys, notably from the Amager Trotting Track.
Pictures of the interior and facade from the early period can be seen hanging on the walls of Café Langebro.
A special timeline detailing the previous owners from G. Keller's time to the present day is also displayed in the café.
Reclamation of the Harbor
The canal area between Artillerivej and Langebro is filled. The plot for Langebrohus is bought by master builder Røhler, and the building is completed in October 1905 as a proud gate to Islands Brygge.
Café Langebro Founded
Head waiter G. Keller establishes Café Langebro on October 1, 1917. The venue includes a cafe, restaurant, and small banquet rooms. In summer, a large, popular terrace spans the front.
Wartime and Resistance
During World War II, Langebro becomes a strategic point. The cafe witnesses the flow of history, including sabotage actions against the bridge.
A New Bridge and New Name
The current Langebro bridge is completed in 1954, reducing the cafe's terrace. In 1955, the cafe is temporarily renamed "Lille Europa" after Hotel Europa before reverting to its original name.
New Ownership and Craft Beer
After many years under trotting jockey Bjarne Schnell, the cafe changes ownership on April 10, 2003. The cafe is modernized with a strong focus on becoming one of Copenhagen's premier hubs for craft beer enthusiasts.
