The only reason for the mass to visit this street used to be for a visit to the lovely old cinema Röda Kvarn. Just like its London sibling though, Biblioteksgatan has had to develop and adjust to a modern crowd. The past years it might have become slightly less old fashion elegance, but what it lack in that it has more than compensated in energy and liveliness.

A reminder of the past you will get if you start at the end, towards Stureplan. Here you will find Sörmans that has had the same location since 1934. Like the street this shop has modernised though and offers a good range of Swedish and International brands. Next to Sörmans you will find Diesel’s new flagship store in Stockholm. On the opposite side you have excellent casual and skiwear from Swedish Peak Performance.

The shoe retailer Rizzo has got two stores on Biblioteksgatan, one focused on men’s shoes, accesorries and bags and one for women’s shoes which is on the corner of Mäster Samuelsgatan, a block away. Rizzo really is an excellent shoe shop where it is always possible to find something nice and with quite a varied price range. If you want to go for the younger shoe fashion there is a Nilsson store further down the street, next to the Emporio Armani shop.

Turn right on Jakobsbergsgatan after the first Rizzo and you will find Tiger of Sweden’s Stockholm flagship store. Tiger is another old fashion Swedish brand that has managed to develop into a modern fashion label. At the other end of Jakobsbergsgatan (toward Birger Jarlsgatan)Here you will find ABCD, an excellent independent shop with a great selection of fabulous labels like Fendi, Diane von Furstenberg and DSquared.

Back at Biblioteksgatan you will find the old cinema Röda Kvarn, now transformed into the coolest Urban Outfitters shop in the world. The designers have made a fantastic job and the decor is worth a visit in itself. The shop lacks a bit of the energy and business that you will find in the London stores, but then again, in Stockholm space is very important for people (No dear Londoners – do not ask these people to go on the Northern Line in rush hour – be nice!) so adjusting to this was probably a smart move.

Have your legs started aching a bit? Have a cup of coffee and a (low calorie...) cake at classical Wienerkonditoriet at the corner of Mäster Samuelsgatan. This café has got 102 years of experience so they sure know what they are doing. You will most probably need to rest a bit here because now the really great part of the street comes.

On Mäster Samuelsgatan you will find the shops for Swedish designers Gunilla Pontén, rewarded for life acheivment at Swedish Elleawards 2007 (can not be missed!) and Nygårdsanna in one end. At the other end, towards Birger Jarlsgatan, you will find male tailor Götrich – another classic, and one of few places in Stockholm where you can get a tailor made suite. Back at Biblioteksgatan you have Emporio Armani, Face Stockholm, Filippa K and Sand.

Newly opened Buff is also to recommend, at least if you have your (by now completely bored) boyfriend along. Buff is all about male grooming so it might be wise to leave your boyfriend/husband here before you start and then come back and pick him up, looking like new, after a few hours of shopping.

You have now come to the end of this rather short street (that can take such a long time to walk down) but do not miss to visit Solo and Stray Boys at Smålandsgatan. Solo has for years been one of the best shops for young fashion in Stockholm, especially if you are looking for something in denim with a rock/edgy look.

And just because you are done with Biblioteksgatan – DO NOT WORRY!! – there are tons of shops just around the corner, so put your boyfriend in a taxi, call your best gay friend (as if he wouldn’t be around already..) and go for it!!