The Bar Industry in Arendal: Companies, Statistics, and Outlooks

The bar industry in Arendal constitutes an important part of the local economy, with 8 registered companies and over 120 employees. The industry has shown variation in its development in recent years, with both rising and falling trends. An important observation is that Arendal is the only place in the municipality with activity within this industry, highlighting its centrality in the city. For entrepreneurs and local decision-makers, it is important to understand both the economic dynamics and the concrete company structures that define the industry.

The industry has experienced a complex development in recent years. According to data from 2026, sales amount to NOK 12.0 million, representing a decline of 56.8% compared to 2024. Nevertheless, the number of employees has increased from 59 to 98 during the same period. This shows that even though sales have fallen, the business has had a positive development in terms of employee numbers. It is also worth noting that there is some variation in the performance of individual companies, with some companies having higher EBITDA margins than others.

There are 8 companies within the bar industry in Arendal, distributed across different organizational forms. The most common forms are AS, with 6 companies. The key companies include:

• Skagen Arendal As (Tollbodgaten 5) with 52 employees
• Den Lille Andevinge As (Havnegaten 4) with 31 employees
• Firo Restaurantdrift As (Langbryggen 3) with 18 employees
• Fiskebrygga As Avd Restaurant (Nedre Tyholmsvei 1) with 8 employees

It is also worth noting that some companies have negative EBITDA values, which may indicate economic challenges. However, there are no registered bankruptcies in the industry, showing a certain level of stability.

All companies within the bar industry in Arendal are located in the city of Arendal itself. There is no activity in other city districts or areas within the municipality. This shows that Arendal is the only place in the municipality with activity within this industry. It is important to note that this can affect competition and market strategies for companies in the industry.

The industry has shown a relatively stable development over time, with some years marked by significant changes. There are no registered bankruptcies in the industry, showing a certain degree of economic stability. Nevertheless, there have been years with significant declines, such as in 2025 when sales fell by 56.8% compared to 2024. This may indicate that the industry is vulnerable to external factors affecting consumption and operating results.

For entrepreneurs considering starting a bar in Arendal, it is important to take into account both the positive and negative trends in the industry. Although there is a certain degree of stability, the industry has experienced significant sales declines in recent years. This can be a challenge, but at the same time, it is possible to find locations in Arendal where there is potential for growth. SmartGrunder can help find suitable locations and assess market prospects for new companies in the industry.

When comparing the bar industry to the broader category bar / club, we see that the broader category has a slightly higher number of employees and higher sales. For example, the broader category had 125 employees in 2026, compared to 98 in the bar industry. Sales figures also show a slightly higher development in the broader category. This may indicate that it is possible to expand operations within the broader category, for example by including clubs or other forms of business operations. Current companies in the bar industry can therefore consider opportunities to expand into other forms of business operations within the broader category.

The bar industry in Arendal has both strengths and challenges. With 8 companies and over 120 employees, it is an important part of the local economy. Nevertheless, the industry has experienced significant sales declines in recent years. For entrepreneurs and local decision-makers, it is important to assess both the economic trends and the concrete company structures. SmartGrunder can help find suitable locations and assess market prospects for new companies in the industry.