By late evening in Trondheim, the streets around the northern end of Nordre gate fill with people moving between bars, and the smell of sausage kiosks drifts over the pavement. Students head toward Elgeseter gate, where a big red round building glows against the dark, while others cross the Old Town bridge toward the wharf district along Bakklandet.
Trondheim has a rocking nightlife, and during term time the students keep it lively all week, with weekends busiest of all. It suits visitors who like a student-driven scene, casual pubs and live music more than polished cocktail lounges, and who are happy to join the local rhythm of pre-parties and after-parties rather than staying out until dawn.
Where to go out in Trondheim
1. Nordre gate and the city centre
The northern end of Nordre gate is the hub of Trondheim nightlife, with mainstream discos, sausage kiosks and plenty of well-dressed people out for the evening. It is the most straightforward place to start if you want several venues within a short walk of each other.
This area suits a mainstream night out. One practical point from the sources: the northern end of Nordre gate is also the best bet for finding an after-party once the venues close.
2. Studentersamfundet and the student scene
Studentersamfundet on Elgeseter gate is a large, red, round house run by student volunteers, with concerts, political meetings, discussions, wine tasting, disco and football matches under one roof. It is fairly empty in summer and on weekdays, but good on term-time weekends.
This suits anyone who wants a big, busy, student-run night. Expect to pay around kr 30–60 in the door on weekends, more if there is a major concert. If you befriend someone who works there, they may be able to take you into the private quarters, since volunteers are only allowed one guest each.
3. Bakklandet and the wharf bars
Across the Old Town bridge, Bakklandet has a laid-back bar scene in historic wharf buildings. Antikvariatet on Nedre Bakklandet is one of the most popular yet relaxed bars in the city, with moderately priced beer, and Den Gode Nabo on Øvre Bakklandet is a brown fisherman's pub in an old warehouse with an exceptional range of beer and outdoor seating in summer.
This suits a calmer, more conversational night. At Den Gode Nabo the place is divided between a grown-ups section by the entrance and a student section further in, and it is not too expensive if you stick to the regular brands.
4. Rock and indie pubs
Cafe 3b on Brattørgata is an institution catering to rock and indie kids, with a hip-hop room in the basement, while Fru Lundgreens in the basement of the concert hall draws a rock crowd and has a jukebox and a pool table in the back.
This suits a louder, cheaper night. Fru Lundgreens has good, cheap beer and food of the day if you need something with your drink; prices vary by time but are always good value.
5. Brewery pubs and beer-focused venues
Trondhjem Mikrobryggeriet on Prinsens gate is a brewery pub offering a range of beer brewed in-house, about six kinds plus a seasonal special, and is the only place in town to offer an IPA and a bitter from tap along with the other four. Substantial food is served.
This suits anyone who wants to taste local brewing rather than just drink. Prices for a 0.5L run about 50% higher than elsewhere.
6. Pubs with sport and live music
Lille London on Carl Johans gate caters to a wide variety of people, shows football games live, and has a billiards room with two pool tables on the second story, where there is often live music at weekends. Carl Johan on Olav Tryggvasons gate is a straightforward pub with a more relaxed ambience than most offerings in the busy northern end of Nordre gate.
This suits a mixed group or a night built around a match. Lille London is open Mon–Sat 11:00–02:00 and Sun 12:00–02:00.
7. Cafes that turn into pubs
The cafe scene in Trondheim is the best developed in Norway, with many coffee-and-cake spots around, and most of them double as pubs during the night.
This suits an early evening that turns into a longer one. If you want wine or spirits rather than beer, you will need a Vinmonopolet, the state-run liquor store; the most central one is in Søndre gate, and there are others in Trondheim Torg mall, Byhaven mall, Solsiden mall, Valentinlyst mall, City Lade mall and City Syd mall.
How a night out unfolds
In Trondheim, everything closes fairly early, so the local pattern is a vorspiel at home before going out, spending as little as possible in the venue, and a nachspiel afterwards. Vorspiels exist because bar and club prices are very high. If you want to buy alcohol to drink before or after, note that regular shops only sell drinks of 4.7% or less, meaning beer, and sales stop at 20:00 sharp on weekdays and 18:00 sharp on Saturdays, with no sales at all on Sundays. Vinmonopolet stores close early, at 17:00 or 18:00 during the week and 15:00 on Saturdays, and are closed on Sundays. There is plenty of alcohol-free beer too, and many people drink it if they are driving; if you see beer that seems cheaper than the rest, check the strength.
Festivals and events worth timing a trip around
- St. Olav Festival — end of July and beginning of August, with religious contributions such as masses for pilgrimages in the Nidaros cathedral alongside concerts, medieval plays, lectures and exhibitions.
- Minimalen Short Film Fest — March, showing the best of Norwegian and Nordic short films as well as international short films.
- Rosenborg BK home games — playing season April to November at Lerkendal stadium, 2 km south of the town centre.
Frequently asked questions
When do people go out in Trondheim?
During term time, students make the nightlife lively all week and busiest at weekends. Because venues close fairly early, many people start with a vorspiel at home and continue with a nachspiel after the bars shut.
Where can I buy alcohol in Trondheim?
Regular shops only sell drinks of 4.7% or less, so beer only, and sales stop at 20:00 on weekdays and 18:00 on Saturdays, with none on Sundays. For wine or spirits you need a Vinmonopolet, which closes at 17:00 or 18:00 during the week, 15:00 on Saturdays, and is closed on Sundays.
Where should I go if I want to find an after-party?
The northern end of Nordre gate is the best bet. Another route is to befriend someone working at Studentersamfundet, who can take you into the private quarters, though each volunteer is only allowed one guest.
What is the drinking age in Trondheim?
The sources do not state a drinking age for Trondheim.
Plan your evening around a vorspiel, a stretch of bars in the centre or along Bakklandet, and a nachspiel if the night runs on.