History of The Danish Pipe Shop

Origin

The Danish Pipe Shop is one of the few 100% dedicated pipe and tobacco shops in Europe. Originally owned by Poul Hansen, the shop was acquired in 1969 by Steffen Nielsen (1939–2011) and is now managed by his family. Today, it is owned by his son, Nikolaj L. Nielsen, but also his daughter, Louise, owns a share. In 2014, world-renowned Danish pipe maker Tom Eltang acquired a 20% share of the shop.

Craftsmanship and Tradition

Since 1969, we estimate that we have delivered approximately 550,000 pipes in all price ranges to satisfied customers worldwide. For many years, our shop has been a home for esteemed pipe makers such as Poul Ilsted, Vigen, Tao, Bjarne Pipes, Tom Eltang, Winsløw, Neerup, and Nørding. Supporting independent pipe makers and their handcrafted pipes was a key philosophy of Steffen Nielsen, and we remain committed to preserving his legacy today.

One of our greatest strengths is our extensive selection of pipes, ranging in price from €10 to €12,000 (current pricing). We strive to cater to all preferences and respect that each customer has a unique relationship with their pipes. Our shop maintains an inventory of over 5,000 pipes and is well known for its vast selection of pipe tobaccos.

Location

For nearly five decades, The Danish Pipe Shop was located on Strøget, Copenhagen’s famous pedestrian street, making it a well-known destination for pipe enthusiasts, international customers, and tourists.

In 2016, we relocated to Vester Voldgade, just behind City Hall, to accommodate our growing online business and expand our facilities. The move allowed us to increase storage capacity, improve our packing area, and introduce a small lounge for customers to relax. The grand opening on October 1, 2016, was celebrated by around 500 guests, and a short documentary (click) about the transition was produced.

Recognitions and Awards
2013: Named Dealer of the Year by My Own Blend in recognition of our exceptional sales performance and ongoing support for the brand.

2014: Officially became a Tom Eltang Flagship Store after he joined the company as a shareholder and board member, strengthening our expertise.

2015: Our CEO, Nikolaj Nielsen, son of founder Steffen Nielsen, was awarded Pipe Man of the Year 2015 in Denmark for his dedication to promoting pipes and tobacco. Past recipients include politicians, actors, pop stars, and notable pipe makers such as Tom Eltang and Former.

2016: Received the prestigious Gazelle Award from the Danish financial newspaper Børsen, recognizing our strong financial performance.

Dealerships and Business Acquisitions

2016: Became the Danish distributor of Dunhill and Peterson pipe tobaccos.

2017: Became the official distributor of 4th Generation Pipe Tobaccos in Denmark and launched a new version of our web shop (version 2.0) after more than a year of development.

2020: Became the Danish distributor of Nørding tobaccos while continuing to retail Peterson and Dunhill products.

2020 (as of today): We distribute pipe tobaccos from 4th Generation, Nørding, Vauen, and our own brand, G Flake.

2023: Became an official dealer of the American pipe tobacco brand Cornell & Diehl.

2025: On March 1, 2025, The Danish Pipe Shop expanded further by acquiring the Danish pipe website Piber.dk.

Commitment to the Future
Today, we continue to serve pipe enthusiasts worldwide with the same passion and dedication that has defined us for more than half a century.