The Hidden History of Bryggen: Secrets Behind Bergen’s Iconic Wharf
Read about Bergen’s iconic waterfront UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Emma Vestrheim
May 24, 2026
As the evenings settle over Bergen and the harbour lights begin to reflect across the water, the city’s bar scene comes to life. From cosy pubs filled with locals to stylish cocktail bars hidden behind narrow streets, Bergen offers plenty of places to unwind after a day of exploring. We asked our tour guides to share the bars they genuinely recommend — the spots they visit with friends, take guests for a drink, or return to for the atmosphere alone. Here are Bergen’s best bars, according to the people who know the city best.
Maria’s Favourite Bar in Bergen
“It started as a record store, and then they added a bar, so now you can just hang out with a cold beer (lots of options) and dig through loads of vinyl at the same time. They also have small concerts every now and then, and the whole place just has super good vibes.”
Our guide Heidi also loves Apollon:
“I love Apollon because it combines two of my favourite things: music and great beer. It’s part record store, part bar, and always feels authentically Bergen. Whether you’re into craft beer or vinyl, it’s a place with real character.”
Our guide Andrea also loves Apollon:
“In Norway’s longest-running independent record store, you can enjoy one of the many artisanal beers they serve, being surrounded by countless vinyls, CDs, and great music.”
Our guide Caterina also loves Apollon:
“I love the concept of having a vinyl shop and a bar, 2 in 1. Plus, they have several beer options and good music.”
Heidi’s Favourite Bar in Bergen
“For me, Sann offers one of the best views in Bergen, together with a creative cocktail menu. It’s a relaxed rooftop bar where locals and visitors mix, and the focus on Norwegian ingredients gives it a strong sense of place.”
No Stress
No Stress is a Bergen institution for cocktails. The drinks are consistently excellent, the atmosphere is unpretentious, and it’s the kind of place where both industry people and visitors feel welcome.
Andrea’s Favourite Bar in Bergen
“For beer enthusiasts, this is the place to see! With over 50 types of beer on tap, there’s surely something for every taste and always new things to discover.”
Caterina’s Favourite Bar in Bergen
“This is my favourite place for a good glass of wine. It’s a bit hidden in Skostredet, with a cozy atmosphere and a very nice thin pizza with flavourful ingredients. Perfect for an aperitivo or for a drink after your dinner.”
Siderbar
“Great selection of Norwegian ciders for all tastes. They also have a tasting menu – why should you pick one cider when you can have 7?”
Serena’s Favourite Bar in Bergen
“For my favourite bars, I definitely love Lampemannen in Nordnes, Vinyl in Kong Oscars gate and Apollon.
The 3 of them offer a great choice of beers and drinks, but all with their little quirks:
Paulina’s Favourite Bar in Bergen
“My favourite bar is Grøndahls, located inside the student cultural centre Kvarteret near Bergen’s city centre. I like it because of its great selection of drinks at student-friendly prices (or at least the Norwegian version of student-friendly prices). They also have board and card games, which makes it a fun and relaxed place to spend an evening.”
Emma’s Favourite Bar in Bergen
“Whenever I have a friend visiting in Bergen, Vågal is my go-to bar. It has a nice mix of Bergen’s microbrewery beer (7 Fjell) and wine, plus the atmosphere is cosy and hipster!”
Read about Bergen’s iconic waterfront UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Discover what’s on in Bergen this February, from cultural events to dining experiences at the Bergen Spiser festival.
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