Vesterålen
A cosy, lantern-lit drinking den is just the spot for a night-time tipple in the Arctic. It also serves food but it's more about nursing your drink of…
Must-see nightlife in Norway
Trondheim
During the academic year, this place has 10 lively bars, a cinema and frequent live music, while in summer it's mostly a travellers' crash pad. It shuts…
Bergen
For a tipple with a watery view, then look no further than Kippers, a light and bright cafe with an unmatched outlook over the harbour, docks and far…
Kristiansand
Right on Kristiansand's workaday dock stretch, this industrial space is both dive bar and live venue, as well as a good place for a late-night snack…
Bergen & the Southwestern Fjords
This cafe has the town's best coffee, with beans from Jacu and delicious scones and biscuits. The interesting shopfront space is, in fact, an old theatre…
Oslo
Mid-century furniture, a pretty tiled floor and friendly bar staff give this corner bar a welcoming vibe. It does one of the city's best negronis, and…
Bergen
This was one of Bergen's first third-wave coffee places and retains a super-local feel. Everyone overflows onto the neighbouring stairs when the sun's out…
Narvik
Encased in glass on the 16th floor of the Scandic Hotel Narvik, this classy cocktail bar has fabulous views and is not just for those staying at the hotel.
Longyearbyen
Bustling Kroa, with metal bar stools fashioned from old mine stanchions and sealskin rugs, is enduringly popular and blurs the line between restaurant and…
Oslo
With arguably the best sound system in the city, this is a diehard house- and electro-music club. In addition to Friday and Saturday, check for the…
The Coast
Excellent coffee at this friendly place, with terrace views that make it even better. Ask about its live-music late-opening nights if you're here in…
The Coast
The centre of Grimstad's nightlife has DJs, jam sessions, quiz nights and a crowd that seems to spring from Grimstad's woodwork when you least expect it.
Longyearbyen
Svalbar is your fairly standard Norwegian bar with a dartboard, billiard table, and small menu of food until 11pm. It's popular with a younger crowd.
Sofienberg, Grønland & Tøyen
A rambling, defiantly bohemian bar with a backyard beer garden that goes off in summer. DJs and live music make for even more lively days or nights.
Kristiansand
Up in the green spaces of Ravnedalen, this cute cafe hosts a range of special nights and concerts, as well as being known for its burger menu.
Tromsø
One of our favourite Tromsø cafes, this cool little spot right in the town centre does the city's best coffee, accompanied by tasty pastries.
Kristiansand
Great little hole-in-the-wall cafe with excellent espresso and filter coffee, plus a whole range of coffee beans and chocolate to take away.
Svolvær
Svolvær's oldest pub is all dark crannies that speak of sailors long gone. There's football on the telly whenever there's a big game.
Trondheim
This longstanding local self-service coffee favourite serves what could be Trondheim's best coffee, in all sizes, squeezes and strengths. Inside is…
Bergen & the Southwestern Fjords
A busy basement bar, cafe and vintage shop that's a great spot to meet locals while sampling a huge selection of microbrewed beer. Snack on open…
Kristiansand
Out the back of the gastropub of the same name, this is the town disco, a full-service nightclub with a big DJ booth, massive lighting rigs and an endless…
Tromsø
One building, two venues. Downstairs, Circa is a cavernous cafe-bar with a retro aesthetic that serves light meals by day on Friday and Saturday, and…
Stavanger
This venue has been around for 30-odd years, making it older than most of the current regulars. Still, everyone in Stavanger ends up here at some point…
Oslo
There's nothing New Nordic about Lorry: just ask the fictional Harry Hole of the Jo Nesbø detective novels. But it's a great place for an atmospheric old…
Central Norway
A spit-and-sawdust locals' pub, heavy on the wood and light on the luxuries. By day it's the preserve of elbow-on-the-bar drinkers; when the sun sets it…
Bergen
You might find yourself in this moody little bar one afternoon, nursing a pint of the excellent Voss Bryggeri nut-brown ale on tap, but it's hard not to…
Bergen
This coffee roaster and cafe is a good bet for a caffeine fix if you're out in the southern neighbourhood of Møhlenpris. It roasts its own beans and also…
Oslo
Large vintage-furniture-filled pub named for a character from the boardgame Cluedo. There's a large range of beers on tap, lots of cosy nooks to settle…
Bodø
Supersized stills from punk-rock shows line the walls and a life-sized Elvis props up the bar of this minimalist place with its black leather stools. It…
Bergen
Unusually, this petit pub is upstairs but, rest assured, it's the 'brownest' of the brown – well-known and loved for its beer selection. Last count there…
Stavanger
One of several decent bars along this cobbled fairy-lit street, the 'Mohican' is a lively spot to mix with some locals and down a few brews. The vibe is…
Kristiansand
This rowdy, regular public house is set in a stunning building that looks like it's lifted straight out of New England. There's a big selection of local…
Oslo
A good choice if you're not sure if you want to go out for a drink or have something to eat and kick on. There's a menu of Norwegian and international…
Stavanger
A classic rock'n'roll bar, for when you want to rock out with your øl (beer). Take your Pilsner upstairs for brilliant views of the harbour or pull up a…
Trondheim
Homesick Scots will feel at home and Geordies with nostalgia can weep into their draught Newcastle Brown at this self-styled 'Whisky and Aquavit Bar'…
Western Finnmark
This local favourite near the Scandic Hotel Honningsvåg often has live music, and is more of a local haunt than tourist hot spot. The local chapter of the…
Bergen
A little corner of Italy comes to Bergen at this pleasant little bar, where you can sip wines by the glass and tuck into bruschetta and panini alongside…
Stavanger
A great bet if you want to dodge the harbour hubbub, this old, whitewashed house attracts a more cultured crowd for gigs, jazz nights and exhibitions…
Bergen
Possibly Bergen's best student bar, this laid-back, hipster-embracing place is friendly and fun. There's Tuesday grill nights, sausages whenever and DJs…
Kristiansand
Huge range of freshly pressed juices and smoothies (65kr) you can take away or sit and sip in the bright space. The protein mocca with almonds, coconut,…
