The Bar Industry in Harstad: Current Situation and Future Outlook

The bar industry in Harstad is a dynamic but challenging sector with 10 registered companies and 88 employees in 2026. The industry has been marked by significant variations in sales and operating results over the years, with a sharp decline in 2020 and a partial recovery in 2022. While some companies have performed well, others have gone bankrupt or experienced significant losses. This highlights both opportunities and risks for entrepreneurs considering establishing themselves in the sector.

Economic Trends

Sales and Employees Over Time:

Sales have been highly volatile, with a sharp decline in 2020 (likely due to the pandemic) and a partial recovery in 2022. In 2025, sales remain lower than in 2016, but the number of employees has stabilized with a marginal increase in 2026. The operating result (EBITDA) is negative for most companies, with the exception of Linds Agenturer As (5% EBITDA margin).

Key Players in the Industry

Harstad has 10 registered companies in the bar sector, with the following organizational forms:

• AS (6 companies): They dominate the industry with 87 employees and combined sales of 27.7M NOK in 2025.
• KBO (1 company): Lorry Scene & Event As Konkursbo, which is in bankruptcy.
• New companies: Tapp Harstad As (2023) and O'connors Harstad (2025) are relatively new players with no reported sales yet.

Important Companies:

• Linds Agenturer As: Largest operating result (509,000 NOK) and positive EBITDA margin (5%).
• Grand Solutions North As: Largest sales decline (-43%) and negative EBITDA margin (-21%).
• Lorry Scene & Event As: Bankruptcy in 2026 with zero sales and negative equity.

Organizational Form Statistics: 6 out of 10 companies are AS, with combined equity of 2.0M NOK and debt of 6.6M NOK.

Geographic Distribution

All 10 companies in the bar sector are registered in Harstad. There are no underlying neighborhoods or geographic parts of the municipality with particularly high activity. The only reported location is Harstad, with the following key figures:

• Number of companies: 6
• Number of employees: 87
• Sales: 27.7M NOK
• Operating result (EBITDA): -1.8M NOK
• Average EBITDA per employee: -26.3K NOK

There are no indications that activity is concentrated in specific parts of Harstad, although companies such as Sbt Service As and Grand Solutions North As are located in Strandgata and Storgata.

Operational Efficiency and Bankruptcy

Bankruptcy Statistics:

• Lorry Scene & Event As: The only company in bankruptcy in 2026, with zero sales and negative equity (-8,700 NOK). The company previously had a small income (185,000 NOK) in 2021, but went bankrupt in 2026.

Operating Results:

• Positive operations: Linds Agenturer As (439,000 NOK operating result) and Sbt Service As (6.5M NOK gross profit).
• Negative operations: Grand Solutions North As (-3.0M NOK operating result) and Viking Solutions As (-488,000 NOK operating result).

Conclusion: The industry has both stable and unstable companies. Bankruptcy risk is present, but there are also companies that have performed well with positive EBITDA and operating results.

Future Outlook for Entrepreneurs

For entrepreneurs in the bar sector in Harstad, it is important to consider the following:

1. Market Size: The industry has 10 companies and 88 employees, but sales have been volatile over the years. It is possible to find a place in a competitive market, but there is also a risk of sales decline.

1. Competitiveness: Companies such as Linds Agenturer As have shown that it is possible to achieve positive EBITDA and operating results. Entrepreneurs should focus on efficient operations and customer satisfaction.

1. Bankruptcy Risk: Lorry Scene & Event As is an example of a company bankruptcy. Entrepreneurs should carefully consider financing, operational strategy, and risk management.

1. Location: All companies are in Harstad, and there are no indications that specific parts of the municipality have particularly high activity. Entrepreneurs should carefully consider the location, especially in relation to population density and competing companies.

Comparison with Broader Industry (Bar/Club)

Broader Industry (Bar/Club) has 11 companies in Harstad, while the bar sector has 10 companies. This shows that there is an additional company activity in the bar/club industry. The comparison shows the following:

• Sales: The broader industry has the same sales figures as the bar sector (46.6M NOK in 2016, 17.1M NOK in 2025), but with an additional company activity.
• Employees: The broader industry has 93 employees in 2026, while the bar sector has 88 employees.
• Peer Companies: Øyriket Bistro As (pub industry) is a peer company in the bar/club industry, with 11 employees and zero sales. This shows that the broader industry includes companies without activity, which can affect average values.

Conclusion: The broader industry has a slightly higher number of companies and employees, but the bar sector has a more stable operating result (positive for Linds Agenturer As). Entrepreneurs should consider whether they want to establish themselves in the bar sector or in the broader bar/club industry.

The bar industry in Harstad is a complex and dynamic sector with both opportunities and challenges. The industry has proven to be sensitive to external factors such as the pandemic, but there are also companies that have performed well with positive EBITDA and operating results. Entrepreneurs should consider establishing themselves in a competitive market, with a focus on efficient operations, financing, and location. SmartGrunder can help entrepreneurs find suitable addresses and develop strategies to succeed in this sector.