Entertainment in Northern Norway
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A
Verdensteatret
Norway’s oldest film house will satisfy both cinephiles and thirsters after great cafés. The bar is a hip place with free wi-fi, occasional live music and weekend DJs. At other times, the barperson spins from its huge collection of vinyl records, so expect anything from classical to deepest underground. Peek into the magnificent cinema, its walls painted roof to ceiling with early 20th-century murals. It shows art house and independent films on an ad hoc basis.
reviewed
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Lille Torget
With its pub interior (admire the gorgeous Art Nouveau maiden bearing a lamp at her heart) and a terrace giving onto the main square, this one-time bank, then clothing store, now pub has seen lots of action over the years. You’re guaranteed an excellent brew; one of its staff reached the 2007 finals of Norway’s annual coffee-making championship (this said, the early shift staff were languid to the point of inertia the last time we blew the froth off a cappuccino here).
reviewed
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B
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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C
Macbeth
Homesick Scots will feel at home, Geordies with nostalgia can weep into their draught Newcastle Brown, and the rest of us can watch big-screen football or car racing (don’t get yourself into the corner where the committed race-goers sit, though, or you’ll be persona-really-non-grata). Absolutely everyone can enjoy a dram or two of its more than a dozen single malt whiskies…
reviewed
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D
Dokkhuset
In an artistically converted former pumping station (look through the glass beneath your feet at the old engines), the Dock House is at once an auditorium (where if it’s the right night you’ll hear experimental jazz or chamber music), restaurant and café-bar. Sip a drink on the jetty or survey the Trondheim scene from its roof terrace.
reviewed
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E
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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F
Kaos
A cool basement hangout with low beams and bare brick walls, Kaos engages arthouse and underground DJs (Friday and Saturday) and bands (up to three times weekly). Carrying UK and Norwegian football, it also has a faithful following of armchair sporting regulars. Capacity is 90, squeezed close, so show up early for big games and band nights.
reviewed
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G
Trondheim Microbryggeri
This splendid home-brew pub deserves a pilgrimage as reverential as anything accorded to St Olav from all committed øl (beer) quaffers. With up to eight of its own brews on tap and good light meals (around Nkr150) coming from the kitchen, it’s a place to linger, nibble and tipple.
reviewed
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H
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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I
Bruk Bar
Inside, candles flicker and designer lamps shed light onto the 30-or-so-year-olds who patronise this welcoming joint. The music is eclectic, varying at the whim of bar staff, but guaranteed loud. Outside, the street-side terrace, just off Torvet, is ideal for people-watching.
reviewed
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J
Ølhallen Pub
At Mack Brewery’s Ølhallen Pub you can sample its fine ales right where they’re brewed. Perhaps the world’s only, never mind most northerly, watering hole to be closed in the evening, it carries eight varieties on draught.
reviewed
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K
Olavshallen
Trondheim’s main concert hall, Olavshallen, within the Olavskvartalet cultural centre, is the home base of the Trondheim Symphony Orchestra. However, it also features international rock and jazz concerts, mostly between September and May.
reviewed
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L
Ramm Kjelleren
This wonderfully atmospheric place occupies the bank vaults of a building dating from the mid-1700s. Cool bar staff, great decoration and a buzzy ambience when full make for a great evening out. It offers (free) live music on Friday night at around 9pm.
reviewed
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M
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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O
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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P
Tiger Tiger
The three storeys of this kitsch disco display a sub-Disney combination of artefacts, purportedly from South Africa, India and Polynesia. DJs cater to the masses, who flock in by the hundreds.
reviewed
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Q
Supa
The downstairs nightclub of Bruk Bar, once a wine cellar, continues the longstanding association with alcohol. DJs spin house, jungle, drum and bass with liberal lashings of R&B.
reviewed
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Strut
This is a place of contrasts. Downstairs, with beers on draught and pool tables, is pubby while upstairs, where 1970s and ’80s disco music pounds, is decidedly retro.
reviewed
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R
Nordlænningen
This low-key basement pub beside the main square has occasional live music – see the signed posters of bands who’ve played here as you descend into the depths.
reviewed
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Kafferiet/Telegrafen Night Club
This popular hang-out, right beside the HI hostel, attracts the 20-to-35 crowd. It shows sport on wide-screen TV and has occasional live bands (with cover charge).
reviewed
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Strøket
This place attracts a young, post-acne crowd and gets down and dirty on weekend nights. Climb to the top of its three levels to watch the masses writhing below.
reviewed
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Blå Rock Café
The loudest, most raving place in town has theme evenings, over 50 brands of beer, occasional live bands and weekend DJs. The music’s rock, naturally.
reviewed
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Ramona
Within the Meyergården Hotell, this spot – and here comes another superlative – claims to be the largest nightclub in northern Norway.
reviewed
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Studentersamfundet
During the academic year, it has 10 lively bars, a cinema and frequent live music, while in summer it’s mostly a travellers’ crash pad.
reviewed
