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Norway
The Summit bar at the top of the Radisson SAS Hotel in the centre of Oslo has absolutely stunning views of the city and Oslo fjord, especially if you go there around dusk to watch the sunlight fade and the streetlights and neons come on all over the city.
If you go at the right time you can get a comfy seat right by the window, the best vantage point. Apart from the urinals apparently - they are right up against the glass so you can enjoy the view whilst, you know. Oh, and in the ladies' there is one cubicle with two toilets in it - in case you and a friend need to finish a conversation, especially urgently I suppose?!
Drinks aren't as expensive as I'd feared - it was around 300kr for two (small) bottles of beer and two glasses of red - pricier than the UK but that's to be expected I think.
When we went there was an especially good bar tender - she paid loads of attention to getting drinks just so and gave us some free peanuts!
A great atmosphere, stunning views and perfect company meant the Summit bar was the highlight of my trip to Oslo.
It's near the Royal Palace. The address is Holbergsgate 30, N-0166, Oslo
Take a virtual tour of the bar: www.radissonsas.com/cs/Satellite?c=Page&cid=1057908738708&hotelCode=oslza&language=en&pagename=RadissonSAS%2FPage%2FrsasVirtualTour&extra=1057908749136
Upstairs bar with rooftop beer garden. Great atmosphere outside and in when it gets too chilly and everyone piles back in for the live music. Nice beers (pricey, but I'm sure you know that if you're in Norway) and friendly locals.
Gronland 18, not too far on foot from the central bus station;
tel: 22 17 16 00
Theatre ship with bed and breakfast facilities and bar. Totally unexpected cross cultural place to stay. Tone Holmen, one of the owners, is a great cook and speaks perfect English and Spanish, the ambience is terrific and the price of a bed for the night is reasonable for Oslo. The beer isn't very expensive either. The fjord is usually calm and it's a delightful experience to sit and look out over the sea while enjoying a cool lager and listening to some Afro-Caribbean music. Very near the main shopping centre, kindly hosts and lovely views.
www.bedandbreakfast.com/norway/ms-innvik.html
Phone 47-22-382397
The beer can be expensive in this town, so if you're short of cash and aching for a pint, work your way down the East Oslo street Grønland (all tube lines to Grønland station or tramway to Brugata). Here you'll find the cheapest beer in town, but beware of the less congenial clientele...
Grønland station (All tube lines)
Brugata tram stop
Original Nilsen is a very brown little pub in the town centre. It has fascinating and friendly patrons who sometimes drink a bit too much beer, but you can end up having some very interesting conversations with them if you’re lucky. It is known to be the preferred drinking hole of some of Norway’s top musicians and actors. Some days, live jazz is played and it’s rather impressive how they manage to fit a band as well as customers into this charming little space. The bartenders are all very friendly and they know their jazz very well. Don’t miss it when you’re in town.
Rosenkranzgate 11; www.original-nilsen.no/index_b.html (in Norwegian)
It's a bar in Central Oslo. Best music and a cool crowd. It's also one of the few places in Oslo that has a fair few people drinking midweek. Stuffed at weekends and loads of talent. Get the beers in!
Café Mono C/o Mail Boxes Etc. Pløensgt. 4 Youngstorget 0028 Oslo
A youth hostel with panoramic views of the city, a 20-minute tram ride from the city centre. A single room with bathroom costs 365 kroner.
Haraldsheimv 4; Tel: 22 22 29 65; www.haraldsheim.oslo.no/
An intimate 1950s-style bar with the best cocktails in town. I can’t keep away from the place.
Thorvald Meyers gate 30; Tel: 22 04 13 77
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