Wallmans: Magical evenings, with the world’s greatest dinner show

By Malin Norman | Photos: Wallmans

For 35 years, Wallmans has entertained nearly six million people, with a whirlwind of great food and sparkling entertainment – always with the guest in focus. What started as Sweden’s first dinner show is continuing to deliver, and expand, its festive programme.

The foundation for Wallmans was laid by the late entertainment profile and entrepreneur Hasse Wallman in the 1950s. Bringing bands like The Beatles and Rolling Stones to Sweden in the 1960s, he was also behind successful musicals including Cats and Annie Get Your Gun. “Hasse was the Swedish version of Walt Disney,” remembers Mikael Gordon-Solfors, co-founder and CEO of Wallmans Group Nordic, and son of legendary saxophonist Dexter Gordon. “Without a doubt, he was the king of entertainment in Sweden.”

Together, Hasse and Mikael founded the International dinner show concept, then called Wallmans Salonger, in 1991. The most festive place in town, Wallmans takes guests on a journey through decades of music and the flavours of a well-composed surprise menu – here, the food is just as important as the show.

Since its opening, Wallmans has been synonymous with unforgettable evenings filled with glamour, passion and world-class entertainment. The performers, who are also the evening’s serving staff, make sure that guests feel welcome, forget the world for a while, and create lifelong memories.

Wallmans: Magical evenings, with the world’s greatest dinner show

“Wallmans was the first venue in Sweden to offer dinner shows as a concept,” says Mikael. “The combination of great food, sparkling shows and performers who take special care of their audience proved to be incredibly successful and over the years, we’ve had around six million guests coming to our shows in Sweden, Norway and Denmark.”

This year, Wallmans celebrates its 35th anniversary, and the team has spiced up the experience further, including a spectacular anniversary show. “Expect the unexpected,” the CEO says with a smile. “A dinner show at Wallmans is an experience beyond the ordinary. More than just a show, it’s a feast filled with the good things in life – and we have some fun surprises up our sleeve.”

Another concept by the same founders is Golden Hits, which opened its doors in 1992. “Also a dinner show, as well as a nightclub and a karaoke bar, Golden Hits has more of a kitschy and humorous feel to it,” says Mikael. “It’s like a high-energy Swedish entertainment institution – with non-stop hits on stage and in the legendary night club, as well as culinary hits served on the plate.”