Industry · municipality
The Bar Industry in Tønsberg: An Analysis of Companies, Statistics, and Outlooks
A detailed overview of the bar industry in Tønsberg, with a focus on economic trends, company structure, and outlooks for entrepreneurs and local decision-makers.
Executive Summary
The bar industry in Tønsberg shows a mix of stability and variation over the past few years. With 8 registered companies and 79 employees in 2026, the industry is relatively small but active. There has been a clear increase in the number of employees since 2021, from 39 to 73 in 2026, although there have been periods of decline, especially during the pandemic. Sales have also shown variations, with an increase from 2022 to 2025, but a significant decline in 2020. This indicates an industry that has been affected by external factors, but that has shown resilience in recovering.
Economic Overview
The bar industry in Tønsberg has experienced both growth and decline in recent years. Sales have increased from NOK 11.5 million in 2016 to NOK 17.7 million in 2025, with an average annual growth of approximately 5%. There have been significant variations, especially during the pandemic, when sales fell by 34.3% from 2019 to 2020. In 2022, there was an increase of 39.9%, indicating a recovery after the crisis. The number of employees has also shown variations, with a decline of 40% from 2020 to 2021, but an increase of 30.4% from 2025 to 2026. This shows that the industry has been affected by external factors, but has also shown a degree of stability in recovering.



Companies in the Industry
There are 8 companies registered in the bar industry in Tønsberg, with a mix of AS and ENK companies. The most significant companies are Zitho As (29 employees) and Apollon Tønsberg As (22 employees). There are also several companies with 0 employees or 0 sales, which may indicate newly established companies or companies in a transitional phase. An interesting observation is that Zitho Holding As has a negative EBITDA of NOK -53,000, which may indicate financial challenges. There is also a bankruptcy estate, Lauritz Tønsberg As Bankruptcy Estate, registered in the industry, showing that there has been a bankruptcy in the industry.
Business Geography
The bar industry in Tønsberg is concentrated in Tønsberg, with 4 companies and 79 employees. There is a clear concentration of activity in the city center, which may indicate that there is a high demand for bars in the city center. There is also a mix of companies with high and low sales figures, which may indicate a mix of large and small bars in the area. There is also a mix of companies with high and low EBITDA margins, which may indicate a mix of companies with varying financial stability.

Business Dynamics
The bar industry in Tønsberg has experienced a bankruptcy, Lauritz Tønsberg As, which is registered in the industry. This is a single bankruptcy, but it shows that there may be challenges in the industry. There are also several companies with 0 employees or 0 sales, which may indicate that there is a mix of active and inactive companies in the industry. There is also a mix of companies with high and low EBITDA margins, which may indicate a mix of companies with varying financial stability. There is also a mix of companies with high and low sales figures, which may indicate a mix of large and small bars in the area.

Outlook
For entrepreneurs considering starting a bar in Tønsberg, the data show that there is a mix of opportunities and challenges. There has been a clear increase in the number of employees since 2021, indicating that there is growing demand for bars in the area. There has also been an increase in sales from 2022 to 2025, indicating that there is growing market share for existing companies. However, there has also been a bankruptcy in the industry, showing that there may be challenges in maintaining financial stability. Entrepreneurs should therefore be aware of financial risks and competition in the industry.
Outlook for the Overall Industry
The overall bar/club industry in Tønsberg has 10 companies, showing that there is a larger market share than the bar industry alone. There has been a clear increase in the number of employees since 2021, from 39 to 73 in 2026, indicating that there is growing demand for both bars and clubs in the area. There has also been an increase in sales from 2022 to 2025, indicating that there is growing market share for existing companies. However, there has also been a bankruptcy in the industry, showing that there may be challenges in maintaining financial stability. Entrepreneurs should therefore be aware of financial risks and competition in the industry.



Other companies in bar / klubb (not in bar)
| Company | Industry | Address | Sales | Employees | EBITDA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lauritz Gadro | pub | Nedre Langgate 30A, 3126 Tønsberg | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Pub Fares | pub | Nedre Langgate 30A, 3126 Tønsberg | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
Conclusion
The bar industry in Tønsberg shows a mix of stability and variation over the past few years. There has been a clear increase in the number of employees and sales since 2021, indicating that there is growing demand for bars in the area. However, there has also been a bankruptcy in the industry, showing that there may be challenges in maintaining financial stability. Entrepreneurs should therefore be aware of financial risks and competition in the industry. SmartGrunder can help entrepreneurs find suitable locations in Tønsberg to start a bar, with a focus on natural development opportunities.