cocktails 560x233 Nightlife in Stavanger

Many a newcomer and seasoned Stavanger expat report missing the nightlife offerings they once had in their home city. While Stavanger is a small town by many estimates, for a Norwegian city of its size, Stavanger has a lot to offer residents and visitors alike. Some venues are multi-purpose offering a bar/lounge area and a dance floor in the same space or on different floors.

Before heading out, heed some of the following advice to make your night out a fun, safe and roaring good time.

- The big nights out here are Friday and Saturday night, with many places open on a limited basis on other nights during the week. Thursday nights have started picking up though, and are especially active when the University is in session and on days with good weather in the summer.

-The drinking culture in Norway is usually quite different to those in other parts of the world. Many enjoy a pre-party (forespiel) at a home with friends (regardless of age) where each person brings their own alcoholic beverages. The goal of the pre-party is to “warm up” for the night ahead by building a connection with the people you’ll be with for the night and help reduce the alcohol costs of a night out. After a pre-party, most venture into Stavanger city center to enjoy the rest of the night. This is commonly referred to as “going into town”.

-Many venues charge an entry fee after 22:00 or 23:00, so bring cash and as always, your photo ID.

-Normal entry fee is anywhere from 100-200 NOK per person and this does not include welcome drinks or any other type of beverage. This is simply a door fee to get into the establishment.

-“Ladies’ night” deals and specials do not exist in Norway. Ladies and men pay the same fee to get into clubs and pay the same price for drinks. Always. Some places do offer a student discount however, so bring your student ID card for reduced prices.

-Most clubs and bars have at least a small selection of alcohol-free drinks but most bartenders will create an alcohol-free cocktail for you. You just have to ask for it. These cocktails are usually ca. 50 NOK each, but prices vary.

-While most establishments do not have a formal dress code, the higher the door fee, the more exclusive the clientele. Dress to impress but be prepared to see men and women both in jeans at bar and some clubs and most pubs.

-Most of Stavanger’s venues are a blend of both a club and a bar, although some places are a bit more exclusive to one or the other format. If you’d like more of a pub environment, try the Cardinal, Nåløyet or Martinique on most nights.

-Most places in Stavanger have security on Friday and Saturday nights and if you are caught violating the establishment’s patron rules, overindulging or generally being a nuisance; you will be asked to leave and barred from further patronage.

-The legal drinking age in Norway is 18 for beer and wine and 20 for spirits. Most bars that do not cater to students or the younger crowd have an age limit of 23 and above and check ID.

-Norway has very stringent drunk driving rules, so be sure to take the night buses and or a taxi home. There have been some unfortunate safety issues with young women in taxi’s in the last years, so stay safe by not overindulging, traveling with a friend or group, getting in the back of the car-never in the front seat, and paying for your journey by Visa or credit card. Ask the driver to swipe your as soon as your journey begins so there is always an electronic record of the time you entered the taxi. Again there is no reason to be alarmed- Stavanger is by all accounts a very safe place to live. However, as always use common sense.

Here is an overview of some of the places I’ve enjoyed:
Martinique
Located just outside of the center on Nytorget, this is a relaxed place with great prices on drinks. Local and live music on often, always a chill and relaxed crowd. Outdoor seating gives you a front row seat for street traffic and walker byers. Location of the UNICEF English language pub quiz and several Stavanger Expats events.

Hall Toll
This is the first club I ever went to in Stavanger and it has changed quite a bit in 4 years. There is now a door fee and the drinks prices have increased. The floor layout has changed quite a bit but it’s still a decent place to go on a Friday or Saturday night.
It has a reputation of attracting a hip, established and gainfully employed crowd – and a VIP queue to serve them as well. It’s a blended venue – offering a restaurant, bar, lounge area and dancing upstairs after 12:30. Normally a place to see some men in suits as it’s easy to transition from dinner, to drinks to clubbing here. Great place to go with business clients, work colleagues or to simply have a good time without too many college kids around. Also home to many live-music offerings during the year by world class artists such as Esperanza Spalding.

Alf & Werner
Although opened less than 3 years ago, Alf & Werner is a newer venue in Stavanger and it definitely has something for nearly everyone. Three floors of bars, dj-ing, live music and those who like to see and be seen. Bathrooms are usually very clean and the staff friendly and very good looking. The first floor houses a popular bar which stays open until 1:30. While there is no cover charge on the first floor, you can usually find a DJ and a relaxed but well-dressed crowd. The upper floors require a cover charge at the entrance door (in the back near the entrance to Nåløyet).
The second and third floors split themselves between local live-music acts and dj’s ready to whip and spin you into a steamy, sweaty frenzy until the early morning hours. Great place for those who like a bit of everything or who like to hang with the good looking. Expect a queue.

Chevy’s
A rock pub haven and Stavanger institution. Very casual crowd who like the sing along to rock classics and drink pilsner. A job well-done to the owners who have obviously done a lot to make the atmosphere fun and a great place to chill with friend and avoid the crowds at the nightclubs. Recommendable if you like rock music, beer and dislike high heels and fussiness.

Timbuktu
Timbuktu lies on the first floor and Taket-as the name implies-on the top, in the same building. Although Timbuktu is a bar, you will often catch patrons shaking it up despite the lack of dance floor. An in-house dj is common, pricey drinks even more so. Don’t let the drink prices deter you however, I’ve had many a fun night in this place and plan on having more in the future.
Taket has most definitely had a reputation in the past as the place to see and be seen for the under 30 crowd and a place to meet your next oil millionaire. Perhaps it’s still the same these days but I think other places have crept in and taken Taket’s title. Definitely the place to go if you like house music.

Cardinal
If you haven’t been here by now and enjoy beer, run don’t walk to Cardinal. Several hundred beers from all over the world available and a full seasonal spread of juløl in December. Pub quizzes, contests and etc. make the nights here fun as do chats with the bartenders. Only bad thing about Cardinal is that they don’t offer pub grub beyond nut mixes in plastic cups. Patrons can order in pizza though. Great place to go when you feel homesick for what you can’t find at the ‘Polet or want to get a group of your mates together and dish.

Newsman Pub
Another Stavanger institution. Your basic pub with your basic pub drink selections. Good beer prices and open on Sundays.

Holmen Bar in Victoria Hotel
Join for the lively salsa nights on Thursday. Many in the local Spanish and non-Spanish speaking community join for dancing, mingling and a good time. Great, friendly atmosphere, although cramped on busy nights. Definitely fun and worth visiting even if you don’t dance. Bar is classy and staff welcoming.

HoT Open Mind
The only gay bar and club in Stavanger, is currently on hiatus as it is getting prepared for its new location. Wonderfully friendly staff and a delightful owner who also serves as DJ many nights. Cover charge on Fridays and Saturdays, although much less than some of the other places in town. Drink prices are very reasonable. Great place to be seen if you are a part of the LGBT community and a great place to dance if you are not. All welcome.

Here is a short list of other places worth checking out:
City Brasserie
I frequent this locale when I want to be out, but don’t want to be bothered with the crowds. Excellent whisky selection, even one from Japan. Cozy, classy and definitely worth a visit.
Opera
For the 18 + crowd. Bring your mini-skirt, student ID and a smile.

Folken
Another Stavanger institution and great live-music venue. Student’s place but for those of all ages. Worth a visit for the live-music offerings of all genres and the beer prices. Venue often used during MaiJazz. Check out the web site for more on upcoming events.

Cementen
The alternative culture house, frequented by hipsters. Can be quite stuffy on the dance floor due to either poor insulation or way too many people bumping and grinding.

Nåløyet
Another pub but somehow trendier and warmer than most in Stavanger. Perhaps it’s the knowledgeable bar crew or the warm fire in the middle of the place. Pitch up here if you want to be in the helm of all the coolness in the area, without the loud music.

Gnu
Some of the same hipster crowd as Cementen but much more relaxed and friendly with more space. Eclectic décor, dj on the weekends. Young and hip, very hip crowd.

Tou Scene
Located in Lervik, just outside of the city center. Keep a look out for upcoming events that range from art exhibits and concerts to flea markets. If you live in Storhaug may be closer to you than walking into the center.

headshot 2010 8 avatar Nightlife in Stavanger

About whitney love

Whitney is an American who has been living outside of the U.S. since 2005 and in Stavanger since 2007. She has written two travel guidebooks and has been a contributor on another for one of the largest travel publishing companies in the world. Whitney is presently an MBA candidate and when she’s not studying, you’ll find her enjoying seasonal events in Stavanger, dancing, writing and cooking for her friends. Her food blog can be found here: Thanks for the Food