Bar entertainment in Norway
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A
Rick’s Café
The original Rick’s burnt down (at least one major conflagration over the years is almost a rite of passage in Norway) and this slick reconstruction is all edgy stainless steel on the ground floor while upstairs, more for quiet cocktails and lingering wines, it has sink-down-deep leatherette sofas and armchairs. The weekend nightclub in the basement has two zones – one for rock, the other playing house.
reviewed
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Kick Off
Kick Off is, as you’d expect, a sports bar that shows all major football matches. It’s also where the young folk of Florø head, drawn by its pool table, darts and massive music collection (make a request and test them out). It serves pizzas and snacks, there’s free wi-fi and every Friday and Saturday are disco nights.
reviewed
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B
Abboteke
At this retro cocktail bar (the music’s bebop, big band or bland Ray Connif), upstairs from Le Mirage, the barman shakes a selection of award-winning cocktails. Behind him shimmer over 40 brands of single malt whisky and an equally impressive range of rums and brandies. There’s also a reputable restaurant open for dinner Monday to Saturday.
reviewed
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C
B.brormann B.bar
One of Stavanger’s coolest bars where you can actually hear the conversation and with contemporary artworks on the brick walls, this oddly named bar draws a discerning over-30s crowd and serves great-value half-litre beers (Nkr58) and spirits (Nkr76 to Nkr91). This is where we drink when we’re in town.
reviewed
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D
Bocca
Upstairs from the restaurant of the same name, Bocca draws a chic 30-something crowd who flock to the open balcony, or snuggle in the dimly lit retro salon. Music is usually lounge, with a DJ from Thursday to Saturday. A San Miguel will set you back Nkr54, martinis cost Nkr59, while most cocktails are Nkr93.
reviewed
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E
As Norsk Jernverk
As Norsk Jernverk carries, not without irony, the name of Mo’s long defunct steel-works. On the same premises as Big Horn Steakhouse, its narrow door is easy to miss. Not so for locals in the know, who congregate here to drink, chat and, if the mood takes them, dance.
reviewed
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F
Library Bar
Wear your finest tweed (not required) and sit among piles of leather-bound tomes in the Hotel Bristol's old-school drinking den. Crystal chandeliers set the tone. This is also a good place for a fancy luncheon sandwich (around NOK70 to around NOK95). Overcoats must be checked.
reviewed
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G
Lorry's
Lorry's serves overpriced, crappy food in a bar with dirty toilets. Despite this, stuffed moose heads, pleasant heated beer garden and large menu of lager ensure it's well loved. Drunk artists used to pay for their beer with some of the stuff hung on the walls.
reviewed
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H
Ta Det Piano
‘Take it Easy’ is just that – a laid-back bar with a steep rear garden (live bands sometimes use its flat roof as a stage). Now in its second decade, it’s the place to meet the town’s younger movers and shakers.
reviewed
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Robinet
Some of the most popular places close to the city centre can be found around the Youngstorget, also the political hub of Oslo. Robinet, to the north of the square, is a tiny, retro bar packed with musicians and media types.
reviewed
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Haakons Bar
During the day Haakon’s Bar is the preserve of elbow-on-the-bar locals and very slow. After the sun sets, it kicks into action, becoming a crowded and agreeable place to drink. It can get a little raucous during the ski season.
reviewed
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J
Frk Larsen
Our favourite drinking hole in Kristiansand, this trendy place has retro-chic fusion décor, a mellow ambience by day and late-night music for an ‘in’ crowd on weekend nights. The cocktail bar opens at 8pm.
reviewed
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K
Skarven
Companion to Arctandria and Biffhuset, Skarven has an extensive waterfront terrace and offers fine bar meals and well-priced fish dishes – unsurprisingly since it includes selections from these two choice restaurants.
reviewed
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Le Mirage
A less rowdy crowd, many of them seasoned regulars, gather at Le Mirage, with its deep leather armchairs and a gilded cherub gazing benignly down. It also serves reasonably priced sandwiches, salads, pastas and casseroles.
reviewed
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Onkel Og Vennene
At 1st floor level it’s a popular place for an evening beer or snack. It has great harbour views, whether inside or from the small veranda, where smokers can puff away. There’s free internet for guests.
reviewed
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Liten Plass
Prices are chalked in giant letters on the blackboard at the aptly named Little Place – a squeezebox of a bar, popular with a young crowd, where you’re guaranteed human warmth on even the coldest night.
reviewed
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O
Lille Løvenvold
Here’s a Jekyll and Hyde of a place. By day an intimate place for a coffee in relaxing surroundings, it morphs each evening into a bar where canned rock is the accompaniment to your beer. Also has free wi-fi.
reviewed
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Karls-Berger Pub Café
Enter Karls-Berger Pub Café, put on your shades and prepare to be dazzled at the sight of over 1000 bottles of whiskies, brandies and sundry spirits shimmering behind the bar of this snug pub.
reviewed
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P
Legal
One of the best student bars in Bergen, this laid-back place does retro décor and music that could be rock, but is more likely to be electronica or soft funk. Upstairs is a fine place to keep the night moving.
reviewed
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Q
Tekehtopa
Grab a stool at the well-polished wooden bar at the ex-pharmacy Tekehtopa – that’s pharmacy spelled backwards in Norwegian – for decent beer or a bite to eat.
reviewed
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Barila
Barila is a chic, sassy little place that serves great coffee, good beer and exotic cocktails. You may be tempted by a ‘Blow Job’ (Nkr78).
reviewed
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Fiskebrygge
For an outdoor drink in summer, Fiskebrygge has a fine location on the waterfront and serves a range of beer (from Nkr50) and cocktails (from Nkr89).
reviewed
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R
Paparazzi Cocktail Bar
For more sophistication than most Stavanger bars can muster, this clean-lined place attracts a chic crowd most nights. It also has a restaurant.
reviewed
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Elvegata 17
Lillehammer’s trendiest little bar, Elvegata 17 draws a 20-something crowd. Mellow by day, it gets livelier as the night wears on.
reviewed
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Hannestadgården
This multipurpose nightspot has an atmospheric beer garden, a piano bar, boisterous nightclub and regular concerts throughout summer.
reviewed
