Bars

Even if recently opened in Oslo, the Crossroads club offers a timeless music in a timeless bistro/pub surroundings right at the beginning of the famous party area in Oslo, Grünerløkka. The main focus of the bar is on blues music and everything derived from it, especially the cozy atmosphere suggested by the rhythms pouring from the speakers.

If you manage to make it there for a live event on Thursdays or Saturdays, the music would be performed on the stage in the background and you might get lucky to see quite some talented blues artists, local or international.

It’s said that one of the best local cooks – Even Christiansen -prepares the dishes – and I personally find it more reliable to eat in a place with a very limited choice of food. I would know each is treated with more care. The menu is an interesting blend of meat dishes (burgers, t-bone, ribs) next to some surprising southern inspired spices or side-dishes. But what I can recommend you is the chocolate burger server for dessert. That was one amazing experience for my taste buds and I’m drooling again at the thought of it.

Don’t hesitate to come in, regardless if you’re a blues enthusiast or not. It will take a lot of effort not to have a good time at this club. But watch out that it is closed on Mondays.

Kafe Asylet is a place with history in the center of the city. As the name says, it used to be an asylum (for kids), hence the building has a certain aspect and atmosphere with its two floors and huge backyard. In the summer, that backyard is an ideal place to go for a drink with your buddies, since you can find plenty of long tables suitable for big groups.

The inside of the bar is best suitable for winter days I’d say. That’s because of the lovely fireplace where there’s always a piece of wood burning making it smell like winter. One can find both tables for two, since a fireplace on the background can be quite the perfect setting for romance, or long tables suitable for noisy happy evenings.

Food is served even if the choices are not too varied, but it’s one of the few places where you can have a taste of some Norwegian meals. And I do recommend the delicious cakes. The crew in the bar is made out of some of the friendliest I saw in Oslo.

If you’re into art, the place offers a display of paintings on its walls and they are for sale. They may be very strange at times, but well, that’s art. But they totally add to the charm.

A few years ago I had my father visiting and we were going for dinner. We were in the middle of Grønland, which is an area full of exotic cafes and restaurants of foreign origin. To find a place in this area to please a man who wants the traditional Norwegian boiled potatoes with his dinner every day is not an easy task! Well, no boiled potatoes – but after a full dinner, coffee and cognac in Cafékontoret he concluded that Cafékontoret is a nice place. And I totally agree!

Cafékontoret is a charming restaurant and bar with good food and affordable prices. They have a selection of different food from burgers, pasta, pizza, to salads and steaks. This is a place you can go with friends for a coffee or a few beers, but I have also been here for a family get-together with a big group – and the food and the service was still impeccable.

This place can work for any occasion, also for a nice meal on your own. And the people working here are always helpful and smiling. I tend to forget this place in periods since it is out of my neighborhood and slightly out of my usual route when I visit Grønland (but it’s only 10-15 minutes walk from the central station) – so I get a nice surprise every time I remember it!

For some tropical vibes in Oslo – visit Aku-Aku Tiki Bar! This is a typical tiki bar with kitschy decorations with inspiration from the Pacific Ocean area, mixed with a little bit of Norwegian culture and some artifacts borrowed from the Kon-Tiki museum.

They have a great selection of rum and other spirits, and are known to make some of the best drinks in town. It is situated in the popular bar area Grünerløkka, and it is as hip and popular as several of the other bars in the same area. That means crowed at night during weekends, and there is usual a line to get in.

This is not one of my favorite place to hang out very often, probably because it is too crowded at the times I´m up for a tropical drink. But there are always lively and good vibrations, and several of my friends love this place. It is for sure worth a visit just to pick your own favorite drink from the big menu, and the drinks look good and tastes delicious. Cheers!

Café Mono was my number one hang-out place for years. It’s a relaxed place with a nice backyard, and usually they play great music in the alternative genre. The interior is not the best, but this place has personality! It is one of the nicest small music venues in town, small and intimate, with live music several times a week.

I have enjoyed so many concerts at this place! They present concerts with known and unknown bands, both Norwegian and international, with music mainly in the genre pop/rock, with elements of country, folk and jazz. Sometimes they also arrange literary events. You can buy tickets in the bar for upcoming events.

Fridays and Saturdays this place is packed with people, and if you arrive later than 23:30 there is usually a long line to get in. There is no entrance fee, except when there are concerts. When you get in there it’s not so crowded after all, since 90% of the people crowd together in the backyard. If you want to get in touch with new people – squeeze in, smile, and you might get some new friends! A mix of different people visit Mono, and I think this is a place that most people will enjoy. The diner Q which is connected to Mono, serves food – and their vegetarian/vegan burger is delicious!

Every Saturday at 18:00: free concert! Don’t miss it!