Industry · municipality
The Bar Industry in Halden: Current Status and Future Prospects
An analysis of companies, statistics, and opportunities for entrepreneurs and local decision-makers in Halden municipality
Executive Summary
The bar industry in Halden is a small but dynamic sector with both challenges and opportunities. In 2026, there are five registered companies in the industry, but only one of these (Halden Pubdrift DA) has active operations with 10 employees and a revenue of 3.4 million NOK. The other companies are either newly established (such as Il Casolare Halden AS, founded in 2025) or have no operations (such as Bar Bahalim AS and Studentsamskipnaden I Østfold Avd Studenthus). The only active company reports an operating profit of 7,000 NOK and an EBITDA of 88,000 NOK, indicating a very low margin (2%).
Economic Overview
Economic Trends
In recent years, the bar industry in Halden has been marked by significant fluctuations. Revenue dropped sharply in 2018 (from 4.1 million NOK in 2017 to 0 NOK), but recovered with a 205.7% increase in 2022 (to 8.5 million NOK). This growth was followed by a decline of 59.2% in 2023 and 80.1% in 2024, resulting in revenue of 691,400 NOK in 2026. Employee numbers have also been unstable, peaking at 37 employees in 2022 and declining to 9 employees in 2026.
Companies in the Industry
Key Companies
The following companies are registered in the bar industry in Halden:
| Company | Address | Legal Form | Number of Employees | Operational Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Halden Pubdrift DA | Storgata 11 | DA | 10 | Active |
| Bar Bahalim AS | Jernbanetorget 1 | AS | 0 | Inactive |
| Il Casolare Halden AS | Tollbugata 5 | AS | 0 | Newly Established |
| Studentsamskipnaden I Østfold Avd Studenthus | Violgata 3 | SÆR | 0 | Inactive |
| Tollbugata Drift AS | Kongens brygge 1 | AS | 0 | Inactive |
Halden Pubdrift DA is the only company with operational results and financial data. The other companies have either no revenue or negative figures (such as Tollbugata Drift AS, which reports an EBITDA of -178,000 NOK).
Geographic Distribution
Bar activity in Halden is concentrated in the municipality's downtown area. The only active company (Halden Pubdrift DA) is located at Storgata 11, while the other companies are distributed across addresses such as Jernbanetorget 1, Tollbugata 5, and Violgata 3. There are no indications that activity has spread to other districts or areas within the municipality.
Operational Dynamics
The industry has been marked by unstable operational results. Tollbugata Drift AS has negative figures for both revenue (0 NOK) and EBITDA (-178,000 NOK), which may indicate economic challenges. In contrast, Halden Pubdrift DA has clearly maintained a positive operation, although the margins are weak (2% EBITDA). There are no registered bankruptcies in the industry, but there are several companies with zero revenue or negative operational results.
Outlook
Future Prospects
For entrepreneurs considering opening a bar in Halden, the data show a market segment with both opportunities and challenges. The only active company has demonstrated that it is possible to operate a bar in the municipality, but weak margins and unstable revenue figures (which fell by 80.1% from 2023 to 2024) indicate that the sector is vulnerable to external factors. An entrepreneur must therefore consider prioritizing stable income sources, cost control, and a clear market position. SmartGrunder can help find suitable addresses and assess the operational outlook for a new bar in Halden.
Conclusion
The bar industry in Halden is a small but complex sector with a mix of active and inactive companies. The only operationally active company has shown that it is possible to run a bar in the municipality, but weak financial results and unstable revenue figures indicate that the sector is vulnerable. Entrepreneurs should consider focusing on stability, cost efficiency, and clear differentiation to compete in a market segment with a limited number of competitors.