Colloquially referred to as Söder, once a working-class district, was mostly gentrified during the late 20th century. The more or less bohemian area south of Folkungagatan has recently been nicknamed SoFo (with obvious inspiration from SoHo). The area has many restaurants and pubs, many of which are convivial and particularly lively when Stockholmers have their paydays. There is at lease one excellent fishmongers as well as other specialist shops and boutiques. Erstagatan, at the eastern edge of Södermalm, has excellent views of Stockholm at the northern end of the street. The hotel with the best views of Stockholm, Djurgarden and out toward the archipelago is the Ersta Hotell. Slussen (“The Lock”), the waterway lock between Södermalm and Gamla Stan, is a mass transit hub covered by road bridges. Today Slussen can appear a little rundown, and not as charming as when it was built in the 1930s but it is a lively crossping point in the city and has its charm. The major north-south street Götgatan, with many bars and shops, starts close to Slussen and passes Medborgarplatsen (“Citizens’ square”), a major square surrounded by restaurants and pubs.
