The Bar Industry in Haugesund: Current Situation and Future Outlook

The bar industry in Haugesund is a dynamic but variable sector with 9 registered companies in the municipality. In recent years, the industry has experienced both strong growth periods and significant declines, especially in connection with economic and social changes. In 2022, the industry experienced a unique sales surge (NOK 31.8 million), but this has since cooled significantly. The employment development shows a more stable trend, with an increase from 46 to 72 employees between 2023 and 2026. The industry is dominated by AS companies, and there is a mix of both established and new companies, including two startups in 2024 and 2025. SmartGrunder can help entrepreneurs find suitable locations in Haugesund for this industry.

Sales and employee development

Sales:

• 2022: NOK 31.8 million (highest level)
• 2025: NOK 4.2 million (largest decline of 77.8% from 2024)

Employees:

• 2021: 95 employees (highest level)
• 2023: 46 employees (lowest level)
• 2026: 72 employees (increase of 14.3% from 2025)

Economic indicators

• EBITDA margin: 5% (average)
• EBITDA per employee: NOK 33.6 thousand
• Gross profit margin: 417% (average)
• Operating margin: -1% (average)

Development trends

• Sales experienced an extreme growth of 280.7% from 2021 to 2022, but has since fallen by 77.8% from 2024 to 2025.
• Employee development has been more stable, with an average annual growth of 3.5% from 2016 to 2026.

Registered companies in the industry

1. Roots Musikk Og Kulturpub As (Strandgata 151) – 37 employees, established 2025
2. Vangen Pling Plong As (Strandgata 141) – 25 employees, established 2022
3. Rabalder Bar Haugesund (Smedasundet 87) – 20 employees, established 2021
4. Sportsbaren Haugesund (Smedasundet 93) – 7 employees, established 2021
5. Bare Hyggelig As (Ginavegen 19) – 0 employees, established 2024 and 2025
6. Club Partner As (Smedasundet 91) – 0 employees, established 2004
7. Zoi As (Strandgaten 130) – 0 employees, established 2001
8. Øst Vinbar As (Strandgata 174) – 0 employees, established 2025

Organisational forms

• All companies are AS companies (4 companies in total)
• Average number of employees per AS: 22.25
• Average sales per AS: NOK 3.5 million

Distribution of business in the municipality

• Haugesund (the only area with registered companies):
• Number of companies: 9
• Number of employees: 89
• Sales: NOK 9.6 million
• EBITDA: NOK 535.5 thousand
• Gross profit: NOK 40 million
• Total equity: NOK 2 million
• Total debt: NOK 3.4 million

Locations

• Strandgata (Haugesund): 3 companies (Roots, Vangen, Zoi)
• Smedasundet (Haugesund): 4 companies (Rabalder, Sportsbaren, Club Partner, Øst Vinbar)
• Ginavegen (Haugesund): 2 companies (Bare Hyggelig)

Bankruptcies and economic challenges

• Bankruptcies: No companies in the industry are registered as bankrupt (all are marked as 'not bankrupt')
• Debt: Total debt for the industry stands at NOK 3.4 million
• Equity: Total equity stands at NOK 2 million
• Establishment year: 2 companies were established in 2024 and 2025, while 1 company (Club Partner As) was established in 2004
• Economic stability: Zoi As has an extremely high EBITDA margin of 80%, while Rabalder Bar and Sportsbaren have an average margin of 5%

Development trends for entrepreneurs

• Strengths: Establishment of new companies in 2024 and 2025 shows a certain level of interest in the industry
• Outside: Zoi As has a unique economic model with an 80% EBITDA margin, which can provide inspiration
• Outside: The industry has shown significant variation in sales (from NOK 4.2 million in 2025 to NOK 31.8 million in 2022)
• Outside: Employee development has been more stable than sales development
• Outside: It is possible to find locations in Haugesund with both high and low bankruptcy risk (no companies are bankrupt)
• Outside: Establishment of companies in 2024 and 2025 shows that there is still interest in the industry

Comparison with broader industry (bar/club)

• Number of companies: 12 (the industry has 9 companies)
• Sales: NOK 35.6 million in 2022 (the industry had NOK 31.8 million)
• Employees: 92 in 2026 (the industry had 72)
• Peer companies:

1. Bth Restaurantdrift As (Strandgata 140) – NOK 4.1 million in sales, 19 employees, NOK -544 thousand EBITDA
2. Mini Krasna As (Haraldsgata 169) – NOK 0 in sales, 7 employees, NOK 0 EBITDA
3. Jeako Da (Lysskar 25D) – NOK 0 in sales, 0 employees, NOK 0 EBITDA

Conclusion

• The broader industry (bar/club) has higher sales and more companies
• Peer companies show significant variation in economic results
• The industry has a more stable employee development than the broader industry
• It is possible to find locations in Haugesund with both high and low bankruptcy risk (no companies are bankrupt)
• Establishment of companies in 2024 and 2025 shows that there is still interest in the industry

The bar industry in Haugesund shows a complex combination of strengths and challenges. With 9 companies and an average EBITDA margin of 5%, the industry is relatively stable, even though there have been significant variations in sales and employees. The extreme growth in 2022 (NOK 31.8 million in sales) was followed by a sharp decline, showing the industry's vulnerability to external factors. For entrepreneurs, this can both be a warning and an opportunity – it is possible to establish oneself in an industry with potential growth periods, but it requires adaptability. SmartGrunder can help find suitable locations in Haugesund for this industry.