Nightclubs and bars in Oslo

Fru Hagen ("Mrs.Hagen") is a very popular spot in Thorvald Meyers gate in the urban Grünerlökka district of Oslo. The guests are young and hip, but low-maintenance. Fru Hagen looks like a livingroom in an old apartement. The music is a mix of disco, dance, rock, reagge and pop classics, and on the weekends there's usually a DJ. They serve food (never tried it tough) such as salads, burgers, sandwiches and snacks, but it's possible to just have a coffee, drink or a beer.
The toilet was known to be a disaster, but they've refurbished!
It's a great and casual place to hang out and chat over a coffee during the week or go for drinks in the weekends.

Dress Code: None that I know of. Guests often wear trendy t-shirts, jeans and vintage!

Auralux is an east side night club conveniently located in the basement of the popular SüdØst Cafe, located at the "foot" of the Grünerløkka neighborhood. For me, a great advantage of this place is that it was practically right across the street from my hotel, the Best Western Anker.

The room where the nightclub is held is fairly non-descript, except for a tented side-room that serves as the VIP hangout. But when I came on Friday night (arriving about 1 am), the place was really jumping, with an exciting gay/straight mix, a great cross-section of Norwegian beauties: males, females, and some in-between. There were a few hipsters, a smattering of oldsters, and lots of chic thirty-somethings who knew what they were doing.

It was less "Scene" on Saturday, but on that night there was a large dressed-party who were spending money with great abandon: bottles of champagne flowing, and people order ten or twenty mixed drinked at a time. It was all like a scene out of a Norwegian F. Scott Fitzgerald: "The Great Gatsby" transposed to twenty-first century Oslo.

Dress Code: More "west-side" dressy than "east-side" casual

Btiz is very well hidden in a sidestreet, Keysers gate, not too far away from Stortinget. I guess it is more of a bar than a nightclub as the place is so small. There's a tiny dancefloor which is overcrowded on Saturdays, but Saturdays is also the best day as the place is crazy. There are so many different types of people there, and I guess it's because there's something for everyone. The DJ plays ALL kinds of music and you never know what's you're gonna hear next, it's everything from disco to hiphop to the latest top20 to folk. It is not a fancy place, so don't wear your highest heels.. you'll just be sorry!

Dress Code: nada!

Stratos is situated on top of an old funkis building downtown Oslo near Youngstorget. It is not a regular club, it's more of a venue which is usually open every day of the summer and some weekends during the rest of the year. To get there you have to take a tiny elevator or take the stairs, to the 11th floor! It is quite a workout! When you've reached the top you'll find two floors with DJs and bars, and an amazing view from the outdoor terrace. What makes this place unique is definitely the view. The music here varies from hiphop to funk to disco to house. The trouble is to know which days Stratos is open and which days it is rented out to private parties. As I mentioned, it is usually open every day during the summer, and the rest of the year you just have to pass by and check if there's a line!

Dress Code: No specific dresscode, but it always helps to make a bit of an effort.

Hammerton is located in the fashionable Bygdöy Allee. This avenue is where you find some of the best restaurants and specialty shops/boutiques in Oslo and also some very expensive and luxurious apartements. Hammerton is a relatively new club with a cool and classy interior design, check out the tables filled with ice cubes.. The guests are on average 35 +, men are dressed in suits (but there didn't seem to be a certain dresscode) and women are dressed in trendy clothes. The prices on drinks/beer are average compared to other clubs in Oslo, so it's not too bad, cover charge is NOK 100. There are two floors, on the ground floor there's a huge bar and tables, and they play mostly hits from the 80s and early 90s. In the basement there's a small dancefloor, where they play club hits from the 90s. I'd guess this is a place where sophisticated career men and women go to let loose, most clubs play trendy new music but this club is more relaxed and trouble-free, despite the modern look and pretty clientele.

Dress Code: Suit, jeans and a blazer jacket for men.
Dresses, tunics, something trendy for the women.

In the center of the ethnic area of Oslo sits Gloria Flames, a rock-themed pub. On sunny days, it's a nice place to be since there is a big deck. Note, two doors down is a cheap (and good) Indian place to get dinner.

Dress Code: Casual

Contemporary jazz club is what they define themselves as. Jazz related I would say... Big club for sure, established in 1998. has grown to be the best club of its kind at least in Scandinavia. Mix of up and coming and internationally established artists. Laidback feel to the place.
(see http://www.myspace.com/blaaoslo for upcoming events)

Dress Code: jeans sort of...

Ionisation from Fredrikstad, for the first time in Oslo! 07.03.07. at 22:00, Skuret/ Youngstorget. The band members are Georg Storhaug, vocal og guitar, Jim Johansen bass, Jan Axel Kielland guitar, keyboards and vocal, Ole Martin Forsethlund drums. This band is a must this night, as their music gives you renewed energy and a different perspective. They rock!

Ionisation formed winter 2005 and designed powerful energy music together! Now they want public acknowledgement and will perform somewhere near you! You better recognise this opportunity and be there! The band members: J-Diva aka Axel Kielland Mekong aka Ole Martin Forsethlund Jim Rene Johansen Big G aka Georg Storhaug You can contact Ionisation at mail@ionisationband.com

Influences Muse A-HA Tool Motorpsycho U2 Beatles Faith No More
Sounds Like Mahavishna orchestra without the acid!

http://www.myspace.com/ionisationband
(CC.30,-)