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Nightlife Nightlife, in the sense most people know it, is a relatively new phenomenon in Norway. For centuries, a strong family culture has prevailed in the country and even now the older generations maintain this. Up to a few decades ago, long, light summer nights had a tendency to keep people out of doors, although more important was a prohibition on alcohol, which was not repealed until 1920. Even then, draconian licensing laws and the fact that the State controlled the sale of all alcohol through the Vinmonopolet (‘wine monopoly’ shops) meant that most people would head home after a meal or a concert. Since the late 1980s, with the relaxation of the drinking laws, it became possible to drink until 0200. Although many pubs and clubs opened to take advantage of the change in legislation, it was not until 1997 that the State Monopoly on alcohol sales was relaxed. Commercial establishments can now buy from independent importers. However, it is still only possible for individuals to buy anything stronger than 5% ABV for home consumption from the Vinmonopolet and there are time restrictions on beer off-sales in other shops. On Sunday, alcohol can only be purchased in licensed bars and restaurants, after midday. The legal drinking age is 18 years for beer and wine and 20 years for spirits. Nevertheless, Oslo has a very fluid scene with places coming and going with an almost clockwork regularity. A publication called What’s On in Oslo has the most comprehensive listing of what is currently available and is free from hotel foyers and tourist offices. One of the main entertainment areas is centred on Rosenkrantz gate, a street teeming with bars, music pubs and great nightspots. This is a good first port of call on an evening out. Many nightclubs are located on and around Karl Johans gate and will cost around NOK80-100 to get in. Oslo nightlife is relaxed and friendly, with neat smart-casual clothing good for everywhere but the most expensive restaurants. Drinking alcohol in Norway is still, however, a prohibitively expensive business – a half-litre of beer will cost up to NOK60 and a 25ml shot of spirit even more – and not to be undertaken lightly. The minimum drinking age is 18 years for beer and wine and 20 years for spirits. Many Norwegians maintain stocks of drink in their homes and there is a thriving home brewing movement. Distilling spirits is illegal, although that doesn’t deter many citizens and there is an active ‘black’ economy in smuggled drink and any number of moonshiners producing ‘hjemmebrent’, a lethal concoction of distilled sugar and yeast. The national drink is Akevitt, a fiery spirit flavoured with herbs. Many Norwegians go out late on Fridays and Saturdays, after a ‘forspiel’ involving drinks at home, so the street atmosphere from 2200 on the weekends can be lively, to say the least. Bars: Decked out in bookshelves and chesterfield chairs, 3 Brødre, Øvre Slottsgate 14, has more of the ambience of a gentleman’s club or library than a pub. But that is what it is. There’s also a piano bar on the second floor. There is also a piano bar on the second floor. The Dubliner, Rådhusgata 28, is a typical ‘Irish’ bar in a foreign city, although a mortgage is needed for just one pint of Guinness. As it is at the Kilkenny Inn, Øvre Slottsgate. Similarly, the Scotsman, Karl Johans gate, is popular with ex-pats and visitors and also offers the adjacent Angus Steakhouse. Jens Jap Pub, Sonja Henies plass 3, is one of several pubs in the Radisson SAS Plaza Hotel, although is not as superior as the Panorama Bar, in the Radisson, as this is high up and has one of the best views of Oslo, particularly at night. Fridtjof’s Pub, Fridtjof Nansens plass 7, has lots of pictures from Norwegian Polar Expeditions and is a cosy place to spend an evening drinking with friends. For pictures of Jack Nicholson, head to the tiny bar called Nichol & Son, Olav V’s gate 1, which also has, Zipper, an American-style bar, with a pool table, in the basement. Headline, Rosenkrantz gate 16, is where to go if you are over 25 and want to hang out with Norwegian TV stars. In summer, there is a choice of open-air bar/restaurants along the quaysides of Aker Brygge, in front of Akershus Festning. But again these tend to stretch the traveller’s budget somewhat. Casinos: There are no Casinos in Oslo, as gambling is illegal in Norway, other than the state-run lottery, football pools and horse-racing schemes, for which tickets can be purchased in newsagents and the ubiquitous ‘kiosker’, small shops selling sweets and soft drinks. Clubs: Rebekka West, Kristian IV’s gate 7, is a big popular nightclub, which hosts different nights as well as live acts. Smuget, Rosenkrantz gate 22, is an enormous and very popular nightclub, with different bars and dancefloors, a restaurant and some live shows. Baronen & Baronessen, Stortings plass 10, is a disco that also serves food and has a separate piano bar. The gay sector is catered for at the London Pub, C J Hambros Plass, and Potpurriet, Øvre Vollgate, while Head On, Rosenkrantz gate 11B, is more student-oriented and plays funk and rap. Live music: Stortorvets Gjæstgiveri, Grensen 1, is a lively traditional jazz joint featuring ragtime and New Orleans-style bands. Galleria, Kristian IV’s Gate 12, features a disco and a live jazz club, while Oslo Spektrum, Sonia Henies Plass 2, is where all the visiting international big names play. Smuget, Rosenkrantz gate 22, is a nightclub favouring live funk and blues performances. |
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