Oslo Nightlife

Nightlife, in the sense that most people understand the term, arrived comparatively late in Norway. For centuries, family life was the lynchpin of Norwegian society, and people tended to socialise at home. Draconian alcohol controls, including a form of prohibition in the early 20th century, did not encourage going out. Since the late 1980s though, with relaxation of drinking laws, it became possible to drink until 0200. Many pubs and clubs opened to take advantage of the change in legislation.

A publication called What's On in Oslo has the most comprehensive venue listings and is free from hotel foyers and tourist offices, but a good first port of call is Rosenkrantz gate, a street teeming with bars, music pubs and other nightspots. Many nightclubs are located on and around Karl Johans gate. Oslo nightlife is generally relaxed, with neat smart-casual clothing good for everywhere but the most expensive restaurants.

Drinking alcohol in Norway is still, however, a prohibitively expensive business. The minimum drinking age is 18 years for beer and wine and 20 years for spirits. The national drink is akevitt, a fiery spirit flavoured with herbs. Many Norwegians go out late on Fridays and Saturdays after a vorspiel (pre-party) involving drinks at home, so the street atmosphere from 2200 on the weekends can be lively, to say the least.

Bars: The Dubliner, Rådhusgata 28, is a typical 'Irish' themed bar, as is the Kilkenny Inn, Øvre Slottsgate. Similarly, the Scotsman, Karl Johans gate, is popular with expats and visitors and also offers the adjacent Angus Steakhouse. English is more often spoken than Norwegian at The Belfry, Lille Grensen 7. A recent arrival in town is an Australian theme pub, Down Under, in Fridtjof Nansens plass. 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. Stravinsky, Rosenkrantzgate 17, is a swanky venue for those who don't mind a bit of 'clubbing' thrown in - there is a disco night every Wednesday. The Kristiania Bar and Café, right by the central station in Jernbanetorget, is a cavernous and rather elegant venue that gets absolutely packed on Friday and Saturday evenings. For a more relaxed evening head to the 21st floor Summit Bar in the Radisson SAS Scandinavia Hotel, where you can sup on a cocktail whilst taking in the panoramic views of the fjords and city.

Clubs: Skansen, Rådhusgate 25 (website: www.skansen.no), is known as a 'real' house venue, and although relatively small, hosts international DJs on a regular basis. Sikamikanico, in Møllergate, offers a choice of house, techno and similar music genres. Pure Liquid, Christian IVs gate 12, reopened in June 2006 after a costly refurbishment and offers two and a half floors of extremely trendy nightclub action with sophisticated DJs and bartenders. Tiger Tiger, Torggata 5, has become rapidly popular with the mainstream clubbing crowd. Also worth seeking out is Stratos, on the 11th floor of Folketeaterbygningen, Youngstorget 2 (website: www.stratos.as), a club and restaurant with great views of all parts of Oslo.

Live Music: Stortorvets Gjæstgiveri, Grensen 1, is a lively traditional jazz joint featuring ragtime and New Orleans-style bands. Blå, Brenneriveien 9 (website: www.blx.no), down by the river Akerselva, is by many considered the best jazz club in Oslo. Herr Nilsen Jazzklubb, CJ Hambros plass 5 (website: www.herrnilsen.no) is also very good. One of the best venues for blues music in Europe is located in the very heart of Oslo and is appropriately called Muddy Waters, Grensen 13 (website: www.muddywaters.no). Those who prefer rock music can head downstairs to the rock club Rock Bottom. Oslo Spektrum, Sonia Henies Plass 2 (website: www.oslospektrum.no), is where all the visiting international big names play. Skuret Kulturpub, Christian Krohgs gate 2 (website: www.skuret.no), offers a regular programme of rock bands and music-related quiz nights. Smuget, Rosenkranzgate 22, is one of the most active music clubs in Europe.

Oslo, as one would expect of a capital city, has a lively and varied arts scene, and regularly attracts internationally-known artists to its stages and concert halls. Norwegians are proud of their cultural heritage, no doubt partly due to their centuries of domination by Denmark and Sweden.

Tickets to virtually all performances in Oslo, from concerts to sporting events, can be purchased at any post office. Tickets can also be ordered from Billett Service (tel: 8153 3133; website: www.billettservice.no or www.ticketmaster.no), to be picked up at the post office later or can be mailed to addresses abroad.

Classical Music: The Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra presents two concerts weekly (except in July and in the first part of August) in the Konserthuset, Munkedamsveien (tel: 2311 3100; website: www.oslokonserthus.no), in the centre of the city. The Norwegian National Opera and Ballet, Kirsten Flagstads plass 1 (website: www.operaen.no), is the latest addition to Oslo's cultural scene. The award-winning building on the harbour opened in early 2008 and is something of a design feature in the city as the impressive angular glass structure looms over the outstretching fjords. The opera house plays host to both operatic and ballet performances as well as theatrics and modern music concerts from world-class artists. The Radio Orchestra and the Norwegian Chamber Orchestra present concert series in various venues in the city, as does the Oslo Sinfonietta (tel: 2242 7095; website: www.oslosinfonietta.no), which has been dedicated to presenting contemporary music since 1985. The old Aula of the University of Oslo, Karl Johansgate (tel: 2285 9555), has excellent acoustics, making it one of the most sought after venues for musical events. Also popular is Gamle Logen, Grev Wedels Plass (tel: 2233 4470; website: www.logen.no), composer Edvard Grieg's concert hall, now restored to its original glory. The State Academy of Music, Gydas Vei (tel: 2336 7000; website: www.nmh.no), presents the most extensive programme of concerts in Oslo, most of which are free, although some are not open to the public. The Oslo Cathedral Choir sings both contemporary and traditional pieces, giving occasional concert performances, as well as participating in services. Other concerts are also occasionally staged in the cathedral.

Theatre: General information about Norwegian theatre can be found at www.teaternett.no. The ornate National Theatre of Oslo, Stortings plass 15 (tel: 2200 1400; website: www.nationaltheatret.no), presents mainly Norwegian plays. The International Ibsen Stage Festival takes place here every other year. The National Theatre has two stages in this historic building and another in the Torshovteatret, Vogts gate 64, in the east of Oslo, where the company presents more experimental work. The other major company in Oslo is the Norwegian Theatre, Kristian IV's Gate 8 (tel: 2242 4344; website: www.detnorsketeatret.no), which performs in the second form of the Norwegian language, Nynorsk (new Norwegian). Oslo Nye Teater, Rosenkrantzgate (tel: 2234 8600; website: www.oslonye.no), presents a variety of genres on its four stages, Hovedscenen, Centralteatret, Cafescenen and Dukketeatret (puppet theatre).

Dance: Norway has a strong tradition of folk dance, featuring mazurkas and polkas. International and Norwegian performers regularly appear at Dansens Hus, Kristian IVs Gate (tel: 2242 0060; website: www.dansenshus.com). In the summer there are twice weekly performances of folk dancing at the Konserthuset (see Music). On Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday in July and August, a traditional 'Norwegian Evening' including folk dance, is staged at the Norsk Folkemuseum, on Bygdøy (see Sightseeing). The Norwegian National Ballet performs at home, at the Norwegian Opera, Storgaten 23 (tel: 2331 5000 or 8154 4488 for bookings; website: www.operaen.no), and tours extensively, featuring top Norwegian dancers and guest performers from abroad. It presents a varied repertoire, featuring both traditional and contemporary pieces. International and Norwegian performers regularly appear at Dansens Hus.