The 10 Best Bars In Bergen Norway

With simmering student life, a local fondness for beer and good wine, and a continuous stream of thirsty tourists, the bar scene in Norway’s second-largest city is a place of constant activity. So, where do you go when faced with a wide selection of bars? We list some of the bars in Bergen that constantly provide the best nightlife experiences.

1. No Stress

Bar, Pub Grub

Awarded the title of Norway’s Best Bar in 2015, No Stress is an absolute must on a late night tour of the city of Bergen. Priding themselves on their extensive and creative cocktail menu, No Stress is concerned with sourcing their own ingredients, making everything from scratch and, as the name dictates, providing a laid back, non-stressful environment. In the relaxing atmosphere complete with a Nintendo 64, fair prices and fun drinks, No Stress is the favorite spot for a wide and varied clientele. There’s word on the street that their newly opened place, Vaskeriet, is also worth a try.

Opening hours: Sun-Thu 5pm-1.30am, Fri-Sat 5pm-2.30am,

2. Lysverket

Restaurant, Bar, Cocktail Bar, Contemporary, Seafood, European

Functioning mainly as one of the finest restaurants in Bergen, Lysverket also boasts a great bar with what is allegedly the very best cocktail menu in the entire city. Enjoy a drink in refined, sophisticated surroundings, before or after a world-class meal of Scandinavian cooking. Lysverket has a fine selection of Nordic and European wines, sure to provide a light aperitif for any occasion.

Opening hours: Tue-Thu 5pm-1am, Fri-Sat 5pm-3am

3. Barkollektiv

Bar, American

Slightly off the tourist track lies Barkollektiv – a solid, classic take on the bar genre, with cheap beer and ample opportunity to socialize with friends and colleagues. Sporting a small selection of burgers, Barkollektiv becomes a place to kick back, grab a bite to eat, and relax. This establishment is also the proud owner of a number of shuffleboards, much to their customers’ delight. A large selection of cocktails and other alcoholic drinks makes Barkollektiv a place worth staying at as the evening wears on.

Opening hours: Mon-Sat 12pm-late, Sun 1pm-1am

4. Altona Wine Bar

Bar, Restaurant, Wine Bar, European

Originally a 400-year-old inn converted into a winebar, Altona has a tradition for serving good food and drinks. Renowned for its wide selection and refined elegance, the old inn was an important cultural center for the city in the 1700s. Today, it serves as an important institution on the Bergen bar scene. Authentic charm, as well as mentions from the Wine Spectator, singles Altona out as a perfect destination for a glass or two.

Opening hours: Mon-Thu 5pm-12.30am, Fri-Sat 6pm-1.30am

5. Kontoret Bar

Bar, Restaurant, Pub Grub

A part of the famous Dickens restaurant, Kontoret Bar (‘the office’), boasts the best selection of Scottish single malt whisky in the entire city. With over 70 kinds of whisky and 80 types of beer available, Kontoret is a great place for anyone keen to taste the best scotch on offer. Calm surroundings and a knowledgeable staff makes for the best experience possible in charming locales.

Opening hours: Sun-Thu 4pm-1am, Fri-Sat 4pm-2.30am

6. Skipperstuen

Bar, Pub, Pub Grub

As one of Bergen’s oldest remaining pubs, Skipperstuen prides itself on its long and solid bar tradition. A simplistic, traditional bar with live music and what is reportedly some of the cheapest beer in the entire city, Skipperstuen is the ideal destination for anyone looking for an informal pub experience. With a more mature clientele, this place is perhaps better suited for those who have had enough of the frenzy of the student milieu.

Opening hours: Mon-Wed 11am-1pm, Thurs 11am-2am, Fri-Sat 11am-3am

7. Terminus Whisky Bar

Bar, Pub Grub

As the only whisky bar in the Nordic region to achieve gold status from Great Whisky Bars of the World several years in a row, Terminus Whisky Bar does not need to broadcast its qualities to have visitors. Located inside one of Bergen’s historic hotels and having retained its original interior from the 1920s, Terminus Whisky Bar has over a thousand different whiskies on offer. Widely regarded as perhaps the very best place for whisky in this part of Europe, and indeed the world, Terminus is sure to have a drink to suit everyone.

Opening hours: Mon-Sat 6pm-12.30am