Editorial
Oslo is the most expensive city in this guide and also one of the most rewarding to drink in once you know where to go. The best bars in Oslo have risen to the challenge of high costs by making every kroner count — the quality of ingredients, technique, and hospitality here is as high as anywhere in Europe. We covered 19 venues across Grunerlokka, Aker Brygge, and the city centre. These 10 stood apart.
Oslo has a serious craft beer culture anchored by a clutch of excellent breweries and taprooms. These are the bars where local beer professionals spend their evenings off.
Oslo's nightlife runs late and the best venues for the late portion of an evening are concentrated in a handful of streets. These are the ones that reward staying out.
Oslo demands a higher upfront investment than most European cities but rewards it consistently. The cocktail bars here compete with the best in Scandinavia, the craft beer scene is world-class, and the late-night options are better than the city's conservative reputation suggests. For the full picture on Oslo's tap room culture, our dedicated Oslo craft beer guide covers Grünerløkka's best breweries and bars in detail. Budget for one exceptional dinner and two proper bar evenings — that is the correct Oslo itinerary.
Sofia has covered Scandinavian bar scenes for 11 years. Oslo is one of her favourite cities to drink in — expensive, yes, but the quality-to-pretension ratio is among the best in Europe.
Five editor-curated guides, each ten bars, each tuned to a specific moment. The Oslo bars our editors send first dates to, and the ones we send proposals to, and everything between.
Last reviewed April 30, 2026 by the barsforKings editorial team