Politicians rush to save Stockholm's Trädgården nightclub, but critics question their motives

Stockholm politicians are suddenly vocal in their support for "Trädgården," a popular nightclub operating under the Skanstullsbron bridge. The venue, which has been a cultural fixture since 2009, faces an uncertain future after a court ruling upheld the revocation of its building permit.

Last year, when Trädgården faced closure due to complaints from neighbors across the water, a public outcry ensued. Politicians, artists, and the public rallied behind the club, with many donning t-shirts to "save Trädgården." The club, known for its long queues and even inspiring songs, had its temporary permit extended by local politicians at the time.

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Politicians are happy to rally around popular things. The World Cup. Eurovision. And the nightclub Trädgården in Stockholm.

However, the Market and Environmental Court of Appeal recently announced it would not review the decision to revoke the building permit, leaving the nightclub's future in jeopardy. This prompted immediate reactions from several Stockholm politicians, including Social Democrat star Lawen Redar, who proudly shared on Instagram her role as Trädgården's "knight" and vowed to fight for it.

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It is not an everyday occurrence for politicians to draw a sword to save the churches of alcohol we call nightclubs.

The author of this opinion piece, Max Hjelm, expresses skepticism about this sudden political engagement. He notes that politicians rarely champion "churches of alcohol" like nightclubs. Hjelm questions whether Redar's fight involves seeking special market advantages for a business she patronizes or if she intends to use her parliamentary position to reform planning and building laws and ease noise regulations that affect such venues.

Hjelm argues that the core issue lies with the politicians themselves. Trädgården has operated on temporary permits since 2009, giving elected officials ample opportunity to amend the city's detailed development plans. The author suggests that the court's decision is not the primary fault, but rather the politicians' inaction over the years. He hopes Trädgården is saved but emphasizes that the future of nightlife should not depend solely on whether politicians happen to enjoy visiting such establishments.

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I hope Trädgården is saved. But the future of dance floors should not rest on whether they are visited by you