The first time I was at HIPP was during the first Christmas I visited Daniel in Sweden. Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve are big party days in Sweden so this is where we ended up for both nights. It was unlike anything I had seen in LA where the nightclubs are more industrial looking. This nightclub looked like you stepped back into the Victorian era where everyone should be dressed in ballgowns rather than skimpy clubbing outfits. I thought it was absolutely beautiful.
When we were searching for our wedding venue we looked everywhere including the neighboring castles. That’s right…we have castles here! Unfortunately, our guest count at that time was constantly growing so we need more space and the largest castle we found only seated 100 guests. So there went my fairy tale castle dream. But, when I started looking at HIPP, I found that it had such a rich history. I remembered the beautifully painted ceilings and the chandeliers and thought that it would be the perfect place for a wedding. On top of that, the food was delicious! We rented out the entire 5th floor that had 3 large areas: a ballroom, a foyer, and a seating area.
It was perfect for our fairy tale wedding and a major landmark in Sweden. See below for the history of the building taken from their website at hipp.se.
1897
A wholesaler, a consultant, a builder, a pharmacists and a restaurateur buys the plot, where they planned to build a circus.
1898
The five men form, Construction Company Hippodrome and chose young architect, Theodor Wåhlin. They built HIPP in record time – one and a half years.
1899
In November, Circus Tanti is responsible for the highly acclaimed premiere of “most modern circus and theater ”
1900
In April, the Grand Restaurant Hippodrome is opened.
1922
Walpurgis gives the last circus performance in HIPP. Oscar Winge takes over and builds on the premises and turns it into a pure theater with operas and comedies.
1944
Malmö City Theatre is completed and Oscar Winge becomes its manager. Hips Theater was inherited from his ex-wife, Elsa Winge.
1950
March 27th – final show at HIPP “The Lord of the alley”. That same year it was sold and HIPP becomes church.
1969
The restaurant closes.
1989
Elim congregation HIPP sells to construction companies.
1992
The construction company files for bankruptcy, Malmö City buys HIPP and saves the old cultural building.
1993
The caring and reverence full renovation of HIPP is in full swing.
1994
January – rededicated HIPP. Malmö Dramatic Theatre gets its main stage with Staffan Valdemar Holm as the theater.
1994
February 24th – the restaurant opens again.
1995
September 16th – Hipp nightclub opens.
2016
August 13th – Melissa & Daniel’s Wedding.