Entertainment in Oslo
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Den Norske Opera
Den Norske Opera is Oslo’s opera company and stages opera, ballet and classical concerts every month, except for July. It performs in the city’s new Opera House at Bjørvika, complete with humidified air for resonance and screens with subtitles in eight different languages on the back of each seat. More casual concerts in the public roof garden are also planned.
reviewed
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Blå
It would be a pity to leave Oslo without checking out Blå, which features on a global list of 100 great jazz clubs compiled by the savvy editors at the US jazz magazine Down Beat. As one editor put it, ‘to get in this list means that it’s quite the club’.
reviewed
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Olympen
A freakish, century-old workers' beer hall, populated by students, artists and drunks, featuring awesomely cheesy cover bands (Bob Jovi) and cheap beer (around NOK33) in a cavernous space full of elaborate wooden booths and huge oil paintings of faded, unrecognisable cityscapes.
reviewed
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Spasibar
West of the centre, the Russian, cowboy-themed and just plain bizarre Spasibar has live music, food, beer, art and a garden overlooking the Slottsparken. To get there go through the Kunstacademe on Wergelandsveien and go towards the back of the yellow building.
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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.
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Justisen
Some of the most popular places close to the city centre can be found around the Youngstorget, also the political hub of Oslo. Justisen, frequented by lawyers and politicians, is good for a peaceful beer in classic surroundings and has outdoor tables.
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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.
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National Theatre
The National Theatre is Norway’s showcase theatre venue and has a lavish rococo hall. It was constructed specifically as a venue for the works of Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen, whose works are still performed here.
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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.
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Smuget
If you're into huge crowds, DJs at this pop palace play to the masses, which line up outside like Vikings assembled to behold the ferocity of Odin or to drink mead from the skull of an enemy to better slack their Viking thirst. Skol!
reviewed
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Café Kaos
The city’s best neighbourhood bar scene is along Thorvald Meyers gate and the surrounding streets in Grünerløkka. Try working your way through the cocktail list at the hip Café Kaos.
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Parkteateret
The yellow and black foyer of this cool-kid theatre and performance space serves espresso and beer to the fashionably dressed. In summer, excellent pavement seating overlooks one of Grünerløkka's English squares.
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Garage
In addition to Norwegian bands, Garage books international rock acts like Death Cab for Cutie and the Beautiful People. While the sound system is good, the view is not thanks to a too-low stage.
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Tea Lounge
The city's best neighbourhood bar scene is along Thorvald Meyers gate and the surrounding streets in Grünerløkka. Try working your way through the cocktail list at the minimalist Tea Lounge.
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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.
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Bar Royale
Inside a former public toilet, this cavelike club (previously Skansen, deemed by the former style bible Face to be the world's greatest club) spins house and techno.
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London Pub
Oslo's oldest hangout for the studs, where you can shoot stick and feed jukeboxes. If you feel like serious dancing, head downstairs where DJs spin every night of the week.
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Oslo Konserthus
The Oslo Konserthus is a prominent landmark on Oslo's high cultural scene. It schedules a variety of performances, with an emphasis on fine jazz and classical music.
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Cinemateket
Cinemateket is a godsend to Oslo's alternative film-lovers. This art-house cinema screens alternative contemporary films, classics and independent fare.
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Saga Kino
The six-screen Saga Kino cinema shows first-run movies, including Hollywood fare, in their original language; the entrance is on Olav V’s gate.
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Black Box
You may also want to check out the alternative dance and theatre scene at the café-style Black Box, in the Aker Brygge complex.
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Palace Grill
Try cocktails at the New Orleans–style courtyard bar at Palace Grill, also an excellent restaurant, near Solli plass.
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Mono
An upbeat place is the rock club Mono, which is known for being ahead of the curve on booking good indie bands.
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Oslo Spektrum
One of the city’s largest concert halls, Oslo Spektrum hosts a wide range of artists and events.
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Champagneria
The well-heeled crowd of Oslo west can be found sipping Cava in Champagneria near Solli plass.
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