The Bar Industry in Tromsø: Current Status and Future Prospects

The bar industry in Tromsø is an important part of the local economy, with 19 registered companies and over 300 employees. The industry has shown strong growth in recent years, with particularly high sales growth from 2022 to 2025. The most prominent companies include Kaffebønna As, Mack Bar, and Ludwig Mack Brygghus As, which have high income and wage margins. Tromsø's bar industry is concentrated in central areas, with a focus on both traditional bars and modern concepts. The industry has proven to be stable, with no registered bankruptcies, but some companies have experienced challenges with zero income or operational surplus.

The bar industry in Tromsø has shown significant growth in sales and employees in recent years. From 2022 to 2025, sales increased by 27%, from NOK 107.4 million to NOK 134.6 million. The number of employees has also increased, from 280 in 2022 to 290 in 2026. The average wage margin is 70%, and the operating margin is 10%. The most profitable companies have EBITDA margins over 18%, such as Ludwig Mack Brygghus As. However, there are variations in performance, with some companies experiencing zero income or negative results.

In Tromsø, there are 19 companies registered in the bar industry, with 16 of them listed in the data. The most prominent companies include:

• Kaffebønna As (Strandtorget 1): 70 employees, NOK 28.4 million in sales, 13% EBITDA margin
• Mack Bar (Sjøgata 12): 63 employees, NOK 43.3 million in sales, 5% EBITDA margin
• Ludwig Mack Brygghus As (Storgata 4): 25 employees, NOK 26.5 million in sales, 18% EBITDA margin

Most companies are organized as AS, and there are no registered bankruptcies. Some companies, such as Verdensteatret Bar As and Bybowling, have experienced challenges with zero income or operational surplus.

The bar industry in Tromsø is strongly concentrated in central areas, with most companies located on Storgata, Strandtorget, and Sjøgata. There are no significant variations in the distribution of companies across city districts, but there is a clear focus on tourist and cultural areas. The most popular locations include:

• Strandtorget: Kaffebønna As, Fun Pub Tromsø As
• Storgata: Mack Bar, Ludwig Mack Brygghus As, Verdensteatret Bar As
• Sjøgata: Mack Bar, Cipresa As

This shows that the industry has a clear connection to the tourism sector and cultural centers in Tromsø.

The bar industry in Tromsø has proven to be stable, with no registered bankruptcies. However, some companies have experienced challenges, such as Verdensteatret Bar As and Bybowling, which have zero income or operational surplus. This may indicate that some companies have very short operating periods or specialized in specific market segments. There are also variations in wage margins and EBITDA margins, with some companies achieving high results and others experiencing losses.

Outlook for Founders

For founders in the bar industry in Tromsø, there are clear opportunities, especially with the strong growth in sales and employees in recent years. There is also a good competitive position, with many companies achieving high income and wage margins. However, it is important to be aware of the challenges, such as companies that have experienced zero income or negative results. Founders should also be mindful of competition from both existing companies and new players in adjacent sectors, such as pubs and clubs.

Outlook for the Overarching Industry (Bar/Club)

The overarching bar/club industry in Tromsø has 22 companies, showing that it is a broader industry than the bar industry alone. Sales in this industry have shown strong growth from 2022 to 2025, from NOK 121.1 million to NOK 152.3 million. There is also a higher number of employees, with 370 employees in 2026 compared to 313 in the bar industry. The most prominent companies in this industry include:

• Tromsø Jernbanestasjon As (Strandgata 33): NOK 18.1 million in sales, 20 employees, NOK 1.7 million in EBITDA
• Helmers & Co As (Storgata 66): NOK 0 in sales, 25 employees, NOK 0 in EBITDA
• Rørt As (Sjøgata 20): NOK 0 in sales, 15 employees, NOK 0 in EBITDA

This shows that the overarching industry has a broader variation in performance, with both companies achieving high results and others experiencing challenges.

The bar industry in Tromsø has proven to be a stable and growth-oriented industry, with strong companies and high wage margins. There are also opportunities for new players, especially with the strong growth in sales and employees in recent years. However, it is important to be aware of the challenges, such as companies that have experienced zero income or negative results. SmartGrunder can help founders find good locations in Tromsø for the bar industry, with a focus on both the tourism sector and cultural centers.