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Bustling with Nordic shopping venues, exquisite food and a lively art scene, Norway’s capital city offers many attractions for any traveler. Among these are the sounds and thrills of live music. Check out the following venues that showcase the best musicians and genres found in Oslo.

Performance at Rockefeller

Rockefeller Music Hall

Established as a spot for live music in 1986, this downtown concert hall is housed in what used to be a public bath. The building is a multi-complex, so visitors will not only encounter the music hall but can also discover the thrill of a nightclub. There are several stages on offer at the Rockefeller Music Hall, which allows for different crowd sizes and performances. Music here tends to showcase the hottest in rock and pop, while still managing to offer a multitude of other bands and artists. With a lounge tucked away inside the building as well, Rockefeller ensures a great concert experience at every turn.

Rockefeller Music Hall, Torggata 16, Oslo, Norway, +47 22 20 32 32

Opera

Underwater Pub

Get a taste of opera at this two-story 1880s bar. Underwater Pub features an aquarium interior and a great atmosphere for games and chess. Every Tuesday and Thursday night, professional opera singers perform live to accompany the wide selection of delicious beer on tap and high quality wines. Underwater Pub also serves food and non-alcoholic drinks, so everyone is sure to have an enjoyable time taking in the melodies of classic music at this sleek joint.

Underwater Pub, Dalsbergstien 4, Oslo, Norway

Street Art around Bla

Bla Concerts by the River

Bla is one of the coolest spots to hit up the live music scene in Oslo. The bar is located right next to a river, and is covered in colorful street art. Visitors here will encounter the sounds of many up-and-coming musicians, as well as more established local bands. Although the inside can house only 400 occupants, it is a cool place to hang out with friends and also hear some of the best local bands in an intimate setting.

Bla, Brenneriveien 9c, Oslo, Norway

Selena Gomez at Spektrum

Oslo Spektrum

For those looking to listen to their favorite international stars, this multi-purpose venue found in the eastern part of the city will satisfy every desire. Spektrum has hosted numerous famous performers including Whitney Houston, Diana Ross, Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Lady GaGa, Muse, and Red Hot Chili Peppers to name just a few. This facility is conveniently located right by the Central Station downtown, and is able to house thousands of spectators.

Oslo Spektrum, Sonja Henies plass 2, Oslo, Norway

Beer at Cafe Mono

Cafe Mono

Combining the relaxed atmosphere of a bar and concert hall, Cafe Mono is a favorite spot for many locals to come and hear favorite bands from around the world. Many of the bands are new to the scene, offering guests the opportunity to explore new musical sounds in a low-key environment. Enjoy a beer or two while chilling in the backyard or while listening to varieties of pop, rock, folk, country, electronica and jazz. Cafe Mono is a great place to make new musical discoveries.

Cafe Mono, Pløens gate 4, Oslo, Norway

Concert at Revolver

Revolver

Bar

Combine music, cocktails and food with a basement concert scene in Revolver, a fun and exciting venue for rock music in Oslo. The upstairs bar here offers some amazingly tasty cocktails that are well worth the price and a good way to prep before heading down to the basement venue. Be prepared to see international rock bands from the US, the UK and Germany to name just a few. It’s a great place to interact with locals and blend in with the crowd for a fun night on the town. Concert at Oslo Concert Hall | © Jamiecat*/Flickr

Oslo Concert Hall

Open since 1977, this facility is a hotspot for Norwegian culture and music. Oslo Concert Hall is a prime place to hear the symphonic sounds of Oslo’s Philharmonic Orchestra. Guests here come to see a diverse range of acts, from classical music to rock and electro-pop concerts. The main concert hall has a capacity of 1,400, so it is important to purchase tickets for future performances in advance.

Oslo Concert Hall, Munkedamsveien 14, Oslo, Norway

Elwood Caine Herr Nilsen

Herr Nilsen

Get ready for the cocktail of a lifetime at Herr Nilsen, where the professional bartenders ensure the best quality drinks accompany visitors coming to enjoy the live music. This club is intent on providing the best in Dixieland jazz, featuring a variety of international musicians and bands. In the small setting, guests will enjoy the pleasant sounds of good blues tunes and will feel like they have stepped into a night club from the 50s or 60s. The atmosphere is relaxed, which is a nice contrast to Oslo’s more vibrant, modern venues.

Herr Nilsen, CJ Hambros Plass 5, Oslo, Norway

Parkteatret Concert

Parkteatret

Housed in what used to be a cinema, discover the lively environment of Parkteatret. As many as 500 visitors can attend the concerts held within the historic walls of this spot, to hear anything from pop and rock to indie, bluegrass, country and rockabilly. Check out the bar located in the foyer, where quality alcoholic drinks are served alongside coffee and other beverages.

Parkteatret, Olaf Ryes plass 11, Oslo, Norway

Gamle Logan

Housed in the old Freemasons Lodge, Gamle Logan is right in the center of Oslo’s Kvadraturen district. The building dates from the 1800s and is thus a center for numerous historical and cultural activities. Notably, this was the concert hall where Edvard Grieg’s work was often performed, along with many other Norwegian masterpieces. Nowadays, visitors can choose between various genres of concerts – primarily classical concerts performed by chamber orchestras.

Gamle Logan, Grev Wedels Plass 2, Oslo, Norway

About the author

A native of Colorado, Michelle Schmid is an avid writer, reader, and traveler. True to her mountain roots, she enjoys a variety of outdoor activities including hiking, kayaking, and rock climbing wherever she travels. A visitor of many different cities and curious about all cultures, foods, and lifestyles, Michelle is a vibrant scholar of creative writing and classical languages, which she studied during her time at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She loves discovering restaurants, bookstores, gardens, and other hidden-away places that most people might overlook, while collecting sights, sounds, tastes, and sensations to fuel her collection of stories and poetry.

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