The Best Cocktail Bars in Bergen, Norway

Right in the heart of Vaagsbunnen, No Stress is often credited as being the first bar to kick-start the cocktail scene in Bergen, and is considered among residents as one of the city’s most popular cocktail bars. The space was previously a store called Stress that sold clothes, trainers and old hip hop records and was an institution for natives of Bergen, so the name stems from the site’s history. For that reason, the venue mostly plays old-school hip hop. Bar manager Martin Andersen tells Culture Trip, “No Stress is a friendly neighbourhood cocktail bar that prides itself on good service and good cocktails in a venue that should make you feel at home.” He explains, “The cocktail we’re best known for is the Chili Martini, a vodka-based raspberry cocktail with a chilli kick.” This cosy, laid-back bar takes pride in their innovative drink selection, making all the syrups and fruit juices used in the cocktails in-house. Be sure to also try the Gin and Toni Braxton, a zesty orange-flavoured gin and tonic.

Describing itself as a “tropical cocktail bar”, Dark and Stormy is the city’s one and only tiki bar. With friendly staff, beach-themed decor and a large heated patio, this bar is an ideal spot to banish cold winter weather. All cocktails, syrups and bitters are made in-house, so grab a rattan sofa and order their popular Mai Tai cocktail.

Vaskeriet means ‘laundry room’ in Norwegian, but this bar is nothing like a laundrette. Decorated with brick walls and exposed hanging light bulbs, this popular bar is spacious, with two bars and an extensive cocktail and food menu. Only a stone’s throw from the main nightlife area of the city and near the university, it’s popular with students. Play ping pong here with friends, watch stand-up comedy on Tuesdays, dance along to a silent disco on Wednesdays and Thursdays, and check out their roster of DJs on the weekend.

Situated in the central Vaagsbunnen district, this friendly and relaxed bar is a favourite with Bergen’s residents. The bar’s chatty owner and bartender Roberto has two decades of experience mixing drinks in both Norway and his native Spain, so expect delicious and perfectly blended cocktails. Be sure to try one of their most popular concoctions, the Clover Club, a gin-based cocktail featuring fresh raspberries. Either choose from the menu, or better still, ask your mixologist to create a drink for you.

Only a few steps away from the historic Den Nationale Scene Theatre, this Latin-inspired bar is ideal for a pre-theatre drink. Unsurprisingly, the owner Antonio is Brazilian, so expect a warm welcome from him and the Brazilian-inspired cocktails. The space is intimate and beautifully decorated with a wooden bar counter, relaxing warm lighting, exposed brickwork and industrial-style metal finishing.

A newly opened spot, this cocktail bar is quickly becoming a favourite with Bergen’s residents. Located near the City Park, and only a stone’s throw from the Edvard Grieg statue, this chic bar is beautifully decorated with rich dark-wood counters and velvet seats. With a huge array of spirits, syrups and cordials, Tipla’s mixologists have created an extensive and inventive cocktail list that is sure to suit all tastes.

Positioned in an art gallery, Lysverket is known for being one of Scandinavia’s best fine-dining restaurants. However, the restaurant is also home to a swish and sophisticated cocktail bar. Although drinks are on the pricey side, the elegant Nordic-style decor more than compensates. Lysverket is co-owned by Bergen-born musician Fredrik Saroea, lead singer of ‘new rave’ band Datarock. Therefore, it’s no surprise that later in the evening, the bar comes alive with DJs and lively music.