Anyone who wears their sunnies on a boozy night out is usually labelled a pretentious idiot, but when you head out for a summer drinking session in Scandinavia, shades are pretty much essential.

The sun rarely sets much before midnight and the further north you go, the longer the days, so the region's capitals are unsurprisingly packed with cool socialising options. And despite Scandinavia's notoriously pricey alcohol, there are spots for all budgets where locals love to gather before the winter darkness forces everyone back indoors again.

Oslo, Norway

The big noise in Oslo right now is the new A$800 million national opera house, a gleaming mish-mash of marble and glass that's anchored against the city's waterfront. Its giant sloping roof has become a haven for picnickers, sunbathers and outdoor drinkers keen to elude the Norwegian capital's expensive bar prices.

Those with more cash to splash should hop to the bar-cafes at Vigeland Park, which is peppered with outrageous nude statues, while the ultra-trendy should head to the Q-Lounge, a wooden-deck terrace on the top floor of the Grims Grenka boutique hotel.

As well as offering sublime views over the city and its harbour, the fruity cocktails here are absolutely delicious and it's difficult to resist lounging amongst the terrace's myriad cushions waiting for the sun to set. Afterwards, party at Bla, a hip club set in an old industrial centre with a breezy river-side seating area.

Info: VisitOslo.com

Copenhagen, Denmark

The fairytale city of Hans Christian Andersen is a peach in summer and its numerous green spaces, particularly King's Gardens and Churchill Park, are super places to enjoy a few cheap tins of Carlsberg or Tuborg.

One of the most enticing patches of the Danish capital is the photogenic quayside of Nyhavn, which is lined with colourful Dutch-style townhouses, bustling restaurants and seedy go-go bars.

Angling for the title of Copenhagen's trendiest spot is the summer terrace bar of the Honey Rider Lounge, which is hemmed between Absolut Icebar and the plush boutique Hotel 27.

A more rough-and-ready feel can be found in the alternative living commune of Christiania, which is packed with grungy cafes and bars, while those looking to dance away the rest of the night will lap up the lively discos at Copenhagen Jazz House and Vega.

Info: VisitCopenhagen.com

Reykjavik, Iceland

The Icelandic capital is widely regarded as having some of the most raucous nightlife in Europe, which comes as a surprise when you consider how much it costs to drink here. Bars and clubs routinely charge 800ISK ($11) for draught beer and even steeper amounts for bottled imports and spirits, so the locals tend to flock to liquor stores, arm themselves with grog, then drink themselves into oblivion in their back gardens.

Then they hit spots like Klappastigur, a street full of trendy patio bars, such as Sirkus. This place is famed for appearing in Bjork's 'Triumph of a Heart' music video, while it's known locally as being a loveable and eccentric spot (it hosts an annual Tom Selleck moustache competition).

The much-vaunted Hverfisbarinn revels in its transformation from a cultured coffee shop and bar terrace to a buzzing nightclub and rivals Vegamot as the place to be seen in Reykjavik when darkness finally sets in.

Info: VisitReykjavik.is

Stockholm, Sweden

You'd expect a city made up of islands and waterways to embrace the outdoor lifestyle and Stockholm doesn't disappoint. Joggers and power-walkers are out in force in the balmy evenings, but so too are those who drink pre-purchased beers with their feet dangling over the water's edge. It certainly saves a few bucks, but it would be a shame to be a total cheap-skate in Stockholm as blonde, blue-eyed beauties dominate the best drinking spots.

Sodermalm is arguably the city's trendiest island and cocktails on the terrace of the Rival Hotel — run by former ABBA star Benny Andersson — are a fine way to start the night before hitting nearby DJ bars, such as Pet Sounds Bar and Mosebacke Etablissement. Arguably the best place to watch to the sun go down is the Sky Bar, on the summit of the city's Radisson SAS Hotel, while Spy Bar likes to consider itself the crown jewel of the club-drenched Stureplan scene.

Info: StockholmTown.com

Helsinki, Finland

Despite being awash with beer terraces and boasting cheaper alcohol prices than its Scandinavian counterparts, one of the most popular boozing spots in Helsinki is the leafy Esplanade Park, which stretches from the harbour into the city centre and bustles with drinkers of all ages. You could join them with your six-pack, or instead head to the rooftops of either the Palace or Sokos hotels.

The duo vie for the title of having the best view over the city, which is blessed with two magnificent eye-catching cathedrals. Trendy pre-club spots include the Ahjo bar, in the Klaus K hotel, as well as the Sparakoff, a bright red tram that, in summer, does an hour-long circuit around Helsinki and has a bar on board.

By midnight, expect bustling queues outside Helsinki Club, Vineyard Lounge and Studio 51, but also expect to party hard and fast until the sun rises.

Info: VisitHelsinki.fi

Got any more hot tips for ace places to party the night away in Scandinavia?