Nightlife without breaking the bank: bars, clubs and entertainment in Norway — how much will it cost in 2025?

Norway is well known for being expensive, which is especially worrying for people who like to go out at night. There are stories online about beer costing 120 kroner and club entry fees of €35. The truth is, prices are pretty easy to predict, and there are more discounts available than you might think. All you need to know is which days bars have special events, how 'student nights' work, and where to find free concerts at public venues. Below are ten detailed questions with current prices and useful tips to make your Norwegian nightlife exciting without breaking the bank.

How much does a glass of beer or cider cost in different cities?

The average price of a pint of lager (0.5 litres) in the centre of Oslo is 99 Norwegian krone; in Bergen, it's 94 Norwegian krone; in Trondheim, 89 Norwegian krone; and in Tromsø, 96 Norwegian krone. Craft IPA + 10–15 kr. The secret is 'Happy Hour' (mainly 4–6 p.m., in student bars until 7 p.m.): 25% discount. Tilt Bar (Oslo) sells the whole tap set for 75 kr on Mondays because there aren't many customers. Large sports pubs raise their prices by 10 kr on Champions League days. Savings tip: Look out for 'Tap Takeover' – a mini-brewery rents a tap and sets the price at 60–65 kr to promote itself. You can find out about these evenings the day before by following @Øl Magasinet on Twitter.

Cocktails: is there a way to drink a negroni for less than 145 kr?

At mid-range cocktail bars like Torggata Bad and No.19, you can expect to pay 135–155 kr for a cocktail. On Tuesdays, many places offer a special deal: you can get two identical classic cocktails for the price of one (this is valid until 8 p.m.). Himkok (World's 50 Best) sells highball glasses of aquavit for 105 kr. This is a good deal if you want quality but don't want to spend too much. Student IDs (for students under 30) get a 20% discount at Brooms & Hatchets. You can save even more by ordering a 'half cocktail' (0.15 l) for 70 kr; the bartenders will happily make a 'split' if you're driving.

How much are you going to have to pay to get into a club, and is there any way to get in for free?

The average cover charge for the popular techno club Blå (Oslo) is 250 kr (free before 11 p.m.), Jaeger is 230 kr, and USF Verftet (Bergen) is 210 kr. Buy tickets online in advance on TicketCo to save money and avoid queues. You can get a discount of 30 kr. Also, the Oslo Pass gives a 20% discount on Fridays and Saturdays (most people don't know about this). Every first Thursday of the month, most venues hold an 'Open Stage' event where you can perform for free; the only cost is 30 kr for the cloakroom. In autumn 2025, Klubb-natt returns from Bydel Sagene: 15 clubs, one wristband for 200 kr, and a free shuttle bus — check the press in advance.

Are there any free concerts and where can I find them?

The municipal Kulturhus in Oslo, Bergen and Stavanger will be holding live music events on Thursdays, including jazz, folk and indie. The admission is free. You can book tickets on Eventbrite seven days in advance, or you can just turn up on the day. The Riksscenen stage hosts free folk music sessions every Wednesday. There are 16 free open-air concerts at Trikkestallen (Grünerløkka) during the summer. The Oslo municipality is funding the concerts. Clubs use 'gratis-onsdag' to promote new bands: buy a drink and get in for free.

How much do karaoke and pub quizzes cost, and how is the bill divided?

Sing! Karaoke boxes cost 420 kr for the first hour of the day (until 6 p.m.) and 590 kr for the second hour (in the evening). The cost is 53 kr for each person for every hour. You can book via Vipps, order drinks using a QR code, and get a 10% discount. You can play free pub quizzes at Tilt and O'Learys, but the team must buy at least a beer. The prize is a gift certificate worth 300 kr. Winners give back what they spent.

How much does night transport cost and how can you avoid getting fined?

The Ruter N-series night bus runs on Fridays and Saturdays from 12:30am to 4:30am; a regular ticket costs 44 kr. You must buy your ticket in advance because there are ticket checks at the entrance and fines of 1,500 kr. Uber Green costs at least 129 kr to use within the city, and up to four passengers can share the cost. Here's a handy tip: buy a day ticket for 121 kr. This will cover all your trips, including daytime museums and the night bus.

How much do night tours and other kinds of entertainment cost?

A cruise on the Oslo Fjord in summer called the Midnight Sun/Nordlys cruise costs 390 kr, including tea/coffee. Students pay 300 kr. In Tromsø, a 3.5-hour kayaking trip that includes the equipment costs 750 kr. This is cheaper than the early morning tours. Another free option is the Oslo Night Ride, a night-time bike tour, which is held every second Sunday. You can hire a bike for 49 kr per day. There are also volunteer guides and a 15 km route.

How much does it cost to go skiing in the afternoon or evening?

In Trysil, a glass of beer after skiing costs 75 kr, and mulled wine costs 89 kr. You can get in for free until 6 p.m., and then it's 150 kr to get in (if there's a DJ playing). Oslo Vinterpark night ski pass — 359 kr from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. compared to 589 kr for a day pass; there is free live music near the ski lift.

How can you make sure you don't pay too much for alcohol at the party before the main event?

You can buy alcohol from Vinmonopolet for 3-4 times less than you can at a bar. For example, a bottle of wine costs 79 kr and a 0.7 l bottle of whisky costs 429 kr. It's normal to bring your own alcohol to a friend's place: Norwegians practise 'vorspiel' (before) and 'nachspiel' (after). Don't buy alcohol with a strength above 22% in the supermarket — they don't sell it there. Beer is sold until 8 p.m. (6 p.m. on Saturdays). I should have 400–500 kr. left over after the evening is over.

How much does a hangover cure cost?

A hot dog in a bun from Narvesen costs 32 kr, and a salted sports drink costs 25 kr. The pharmacy sells Rehydra Brustablett — 59 kr for 10. The cheapest option is free drinking water from city fountains (yes, they work in winter too) and vitamin D tablets (39 kr).

People who are not prepared for the high prices at night in Norway will be scared. Enjoy happy hours, Tap Takeover and 2-for-1 deals, book club wristbands online, free Kulturhus concerts and student cover nights, share a karaoke box and take the night bus instead of a taxi. Then a party in an 'expensive' country will cost you less than an evening in London or Paris, and you'll have the energy of the northern night in your memory, not in your bank account. Paint the town red, then let your krone dance under the northern lights as easily as you do.