Oslo Nightlife: Grünerløkka

Check out the best bars in Oslo's finest bar district. This is where Oslo locals go to drink, well away from the touristy bars in Karl Johans gate and downtown Oslo. Django is a jazz bar at the top of Grünerløkka, by Birkelunden park. They have live jazz performances Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Sunday. The bands are regulars, but there are different ones on different days. Tea Lounge is a cozy bar by Birkelunden park. Cafe 33 is a famous dive bar in Thorvald Meyers gate, at the corner of Birkelunden. It has recently been refurbished and is now called Sport 33. It's a great place to watch the game, they even have a 92" plasma screen. After dark in the weekends, the big screens go off and it's back to the good ol' 33 again. This bar closes at 3 am. every day of the week. When the other surrounding bars close earlier at 1 am. on weekdays, this place usually gets crowded. Bar Boca was the first cocktail bar on Grünerløkka when it opened in 1998, and it's a real hipster place. The music is Rumba, Mambo, 50's, Rockabilly, Surf. You should try the Dry Martini, which is the classic Bar Boca drink. Grünerløkka Brygghus is a micro brewery pub which has food and 21 beers on tap, where 13 of them have been brewed close by, on Grünerløkka. Aku Aku bar is a tiki bar. Feel the tropical vibes while enjoying one of the three local beers from tap, or have a cocktail with in-house squeezed juices. They are famous for their rum based chili drinks. Chair is Norway's only gin bar. They have more than 100 types of gin, and 9 beers on tap. The music profile is motown and funk. Fru Hagen is a popular bar which attracts a mixed crowd. They have DJ's in the weekends, and dancing may occur. This bar has been here for over 20 years, so they must be doing something right. Parkteatret is a bar and concert venue in an old movie theater by Olaf Ryes plass park. It's immensely popular, both inside, and the side walk bar which is overlooking the park. They have 10 beers on tap, and a cider as well. Ryes is a 50's themed bar on the lower side of Olaf Ryes plass. They play 50's music and rockabilly. Lots of different characters come here, including bikers, most of the crowd are between 30 and 50 years old. Rebell is an 80's themed bar which attracts all kinds of people. They play club oriented music, and there are new DJ's almost every weekend. They have 6 beers on tap, and a range of fancy drinks. Memphis bar has more of an international crowd. It's a dance place, and they play mostly hip hop and R&B;. Vodka Redbull is the drink of choice here. Mir / Grünerløkka Lufthavn is an alternative bar, hidden away in a backyard in Toftes gate. There are lots of concerts of alternative music here, and the place has existed for over 20 years. You can play the foosball table in the basement, or sit in the old airline seats by the stage. Qadis is located in a building which has housed some really nasty bars earlier, but this time they got it right. The new owners have completely changed the bar to a sports bar/cocktail bar. In the weekends it's more danceable music, and there will be a long queue. They have 7 beers on tap. Glød is a chill beer and wine bar with varied music played exclusively from vinyl. Hytta is another small cozy bar right next to Glød. It's the hang-around for local artists, and they play strictly vinyl of course. Alexandria is one of the oldest pubs on Grünerløkka. You can watch the game here, and a cover band plays Rolling Stones etc. on Mondays. This place has the cheapest beer on this list. Bettola is a cocktail bar at the end of Thorvald Meyers gate, right by Nybrua bridge. They play mainstream music, and they have fantastic cocktails. The furniture is exclusively Scandinavian from the 60's and 70's, and you can actually purchase it if you like. Territoriet is a wine bar in Markveien. They have 450 different wines which can be ordered by glass, and they also have one beer on tap. The music has rock profile, and it's only vinyl (duh). BD57 is the name of the BrewDog pub in Oslo, it's also in Markveien. They have pub food until 9 pm., burgers, ribs, and more. They have a new beer on tap almost every day, and about 20 on tap at any given time. Syng is a karaoke bar by the Akerselva river. They have four karaoke rooms, and a large main area. In the weekends they play upbeat music you can dance to. There will be a line after 12 in the weekends. Ingensteds and Blå are two nightclubs on Grünerløkka, by Akerselva river. Blå is the oldest and most well known of the two, and they are both very popular. Expect long lines after 9 pm in the weekends. Party hard, and take care!