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When we visited Svalbard it was June - a few days before the midsummer night! That meant sunshine 24 hours a day (well, it was 23 hours for us!!!) A very strange feeling indeed, when you draw the curtains way after midnight, because the sunshine is keeping you from falling asleep!!!But that sure is a great experience, when you come from further south!!!
No strip tease at this bar, for sure. For one, you cannot stand up properly, second, it's darn cold. Carved out of the snow bank behind Hotel Funken, the Snow Bar serves hot and cold drinks in snow caves. Seating is in snow niches. Don't stay too long. Outdoor wear. hat and gloves, the whole enchilada.
Surprise, surprise, Longyearbyen has an interesting nightlife. Not only Huset of which I write here, but also other places are open late for drinks, snacks and fun.Huset has 4 sections, one restaurant that closes at 11pm, a day/afternoon time cafe a nightclub and a once-in-a-while theater/cinema hall. Huset used to be the mine workers' entertainment centre and community house (thus the name "Huset" - the House). Huset's night club/pub is probably the most interesting night spot in Longyearbyen as the locals would go here, but shun the hotel's night bars. It's a meeting place, beer pub, pick-up place and everything inbetween. Very low key but fun place. Cover charges when music is played, live band tickets, wardrobe fee. Bearable prices. If you find the place out of the way, take a taxi here and back. Not much in terms of style. Tie and jacket, ok, fur trapper's outfit, ok. Almost...
Several tour operators in Longyearbyen organise a variety of polar night adventures or northern light adventures depending on season. They take you out to a tent camp or sod house or a boat frozen in the ice by snowmobile, weasel or dog sled and treat you to some local food, drinks and stories and views of the life in the Arctic.My feeling is that it could serve as an introduction to the Arctic. It is not a thing for veterans, those with a past good knowledge, nor for those who are mobile and can get out of Longyearbyen by other means.The scenery offered is fantastic - the polar light at any season is great, weather permitting, of course. The food we had was mediocre, a reindeer stew. Good enough for us Norwegians, bland taste as we are accustomed to, but for foreigners this is not value for money. The staff tell about the environment and surrounding landscape and give stories about life...
The best stocked bar I have ever seen. They even had Stroh's Rum, an Austrian rum I used to drink when I was stationed in Germany. Lots of people on Friday and Saturday night. Good beer (Ringnes) Whatever you packed.
I guess this is the perfect place to talk about polar nights. There's darkness round the clock in Svalbard for more than two months. The darkness starts in the end of November and the first glimpses of light are seen in only in the beginning of February.
There's not much of a nightlife in Svalbard Visitors were urged to leave their rifles in the hotel lobby as the ice bear danger isn't so big in the restaurant
The first building to the right is a pizza restaurant AND the local bar. No admittance with weapons, so you have to put your polar bear rifle in a weapon cabinet in the bar. Casual clothing
Spitsbergen Hotel Longyearbyen
33 Opinions
Radisson Sas Polar Spitsbergen Longyearbyen
2 Reviews and 70 Opinions The SAS hotel has a very central location only 100 m from the main shopping area. It has 95 rooms...
Spitsbergen Guesthouse Longyearbyen
16 Opinions
Reviews and photos of Svalbard attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Svalbard sightseeing.
Q: Me and my husband are planning our anniversary trip in Spitsbergen. We're from Mexico and want this to be the trip of a lifetime....
A: Hi - welcome to VT! I'd recommend staying at the Radisson. It's really nice and the restaurant is excellent. Spitsbergen Travel (www.spitsbergentravel.no/eng/) booked...
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