Chris Hemsworth may have helped to bring Thor back into our periphery, but Sydney’s latest bar opening will no doubt help to cement a growing focus on Nordic culture. Enter Mjölnir, the viking-inspired venue that has just landed in Sydney’s redfern and is named after Norse god Thor’s fearsome hammer.

Sitting underground amidst an old tobacco factory on Cleveland Street, the venue is a multi-purpose space that acts as a whisky bar, a restaurant and a private dining area all at once. The creation of the Speakeasy Group (who also own Eau De Vie, The Roosevelt and Boilermaker House), Mjölnir is a modern interpretation of viking feasting.

The viking theme is taken very seriously physically in this space – tables are equipped with horns, with walls adorned with swords and waiters in replica helmets. It’s a design deemed by Norwegian owner Sven Almenning as ‘contemporary viking luxe.’

The traditional has helped to shape the menu as well as the interiors, with chef Tom Gripton offering a changing list of rotisserie meats (offered as whole animals), as well as cheese and charcuterie. Medieval dishes are also available, including a trencher where the bread is used as the plate.

Whisky is the specialty of Mjölnir with a list of 450 (which is growing). Cocktails help to round out the drink offerings, which are listed under Norse mythology themes and incorporating ingredients such as mead and sorrel to name but a few.