Industry · municipality
The Bar Industry in Trondheim: Current Situation and Future Outlook
Analysis of companies, statistics, and opportunities for entrepreneurs and local decision-makers in Trondheim
Executive Summary
The bar industry in Trondheim has shown both development and challenges in recent years. With 37 registered companies in the municipality, including both AS and FLI entities, the industry is an important part of the local economy. In recent years, we have seen a marked decline in 2020, but a strong increase from 2022 onwards. This indicates a gradual adaptation to conditions such as the pandemic and changes in customer preferences. At the same time, there are several competing companies, which can be both a challenge and an opportunity for new players.
Economic Overview
Economic Trends
Sales:
- 2016: NOK 151.5M
- 2017: NOK 167.4M (+10.5%)
- 2018: NOK 187.4M (+11.9%)
- 2019: NOK 210.1M (+12.1%)
- 2020: NOK 115.3M (-45.1%)
- 2021: NOK 99.1M (-14.1%)
- 2022: NOK 231.0M (+133.0%)
- 2023: NOK 221.2M (-4.2%)
- 2024: NOK 191.9M (-13.3%)
- 2025: NOK 140.5M (-26.8%)
Employees:
- 2016: 361
- 2017: 415 (+15.0%)
- 2018: 375 (-9.6%)
- 2019: 396 (+5.6%)
- 2020: 355 (-10.4%)
- 2021: 300 (-15.5%)
- 2022: 401 (+33.7%)
- 2023: 419 (+4.5%)
- 2024: 458 (+9.3%)
- 2025: 402 (-12.2%)
- 2026: 437 (+8.7%)
The industry has shown marked variations in sales and number of employees in recent years. The most significant decline in sales occurred in 2020, but there has been a strong increase from 2022. Employees have shown a more stable development, with a strong increase in 2022 and 2023.
Companies in the Industry
Key Players in the Industry
Trondheim has a wide range of companies in the bar industry, including both AS and FLI entities. Below are some of the most well-known companies:
| Company | Organizational Form | Number of Employees | Sales (NOK) | EBITDA (NOK) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studentersamfundet Trondheim | FLI | 88 | 17.0M | 11.0M |
| Radikal As | AS | 45 | 11.5M | 0.875M |
| Dråpen Solsiden As | AS | 44 | 20.5M | 1.5M |
| Hbb Trondheim As | AS | 33 | 26.2M | 2.1M |
| Bryggeriet Pub Og Kjøkken As | AS | 27 | 23.4M | 1.6M |
Organizational Forms
- AS (20 companies): Total of 342 employees, sales of NOK 182.0M, EBITDA of NOK 19.4M.
- FLI (1 organizational form): 88 employees, sales of NOK 17.0M, EBITDA of NOK 11.0M.
Most companies in the industry are AS entities, which indicates a high degree of organizational complexity and possibly larger investments.
Business Geography
Geographic Distribution
Most companies in the bar industry in Trondheim are located in the city center. Below is an overview of activity in different parts of the municipality:
| Location | Number of Companies | Number of Employees | Sales (NOK) | EBITDA (NOK) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trondheim | 21 | 430 | 199.0M | 30.4M |
There is a clear concentration of companies in Trondheim city center, which indicates an important role for tourism and local customers in the industry.
Business Dynamics
The bar industry in Trondheim has been affected by several factors, including the pandemic and changes in customer preferences. Below is an overview of bankruptcies and operational results:
- Competing companies:
- Bar Dus As (Ferjemannsveien 10): Sales NOK 28.5M, EBITDA NOK 4.2M, 0 employees.
- Jungel As (Fjordgata 23): Sales NOK 0, EBITDA NOK 0, 0 employees.
- Operational Results:
- Trondheim: 2 competing companies, 0 employees, operational income NOK 28.6M, sales NOK 28.5M, wages NOK 9.2M, operational result NOK 2.6M, EBITDA NOK 4.2M.
Although there have been some competing companies, the industry has shown a gradual adaptation and improvement in operational results after 2020.
Outlook
For entrepreneurs considering starting a bar in Trondheim, there are several important factors to consider. The industry has shown a strong increase after 2022, which indicates a gradual adaptation to conditions such as the pandemic and changes in customer preferences. It is also important to be aware of the competition, especially in Trondheim city center where there are many companies. At the same time, it is possible to find places with potential growth, especially in areas with high tourist activity.
SmartGrunder can help entrepreneurs find suitable addresses in Trondheim for this industry, based on data and analysis of local conditions.
Comparison with Broader Industry
The bar industry in Trondheim is part of a broader industry (bar / club) with 52 companies. Below is a comparison of key indicators:
- Sales:
- Bar (37 companies): NOK 140.5M in 2025.
- Bar / club (52 companies): NOK 258.8M in 2025.
- Employees:
- Bar: 402 employees in 2025.
- Bar / club: 616 employees in 2025.
- Peer companies:
- Jacobs Restauranter As (nightclub): Sales NOK 35.4M, EBITDA NOK 7.4M, 64 employees.
- Den Gode Naboen As (pub): Sales NOK 18.8M, EBITDA NOK 3.5M, 16 employees.
- Lille London As (pub): Sales NOK 33.8M, EBITDA NOK 3.5M, 29 employees.
The broader industry (bar / club) has higher sales and more employees, which indicates a greater variation in activities and possibly a larger market share.
Other companies in bar / klubb (not in bar)
| Company | Industry | Address | Sales | Employees | EBITDA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jacobs Restauranter As | night club | Nordreg 28/30, 7010 Trondheim | NOK 35.4M | 64 | NOK 7.4M |
| Den Gode Naboen As | pub | Øvre Bakklandet 66, 7016 Trondheim | NOK 18.8M | 16 | NOK 3.5M |
| Lille London As | pub | Carl Johans gate 10, 7010 Trondheim | NOK 33.8M | 29 | NOK 3.5M |
| Cruise Trondheim As | pub | Kongens gate 15, 7013 Trondheim | NOK 22.7M | 25 | NOK 2.8M |
| Three Lions Pub As | pub | Brattørgata 12B, 7010 Trondheim | NOK 26.8M | 23 | NOK 2.2M |
| Studio 26 As | night club | Nordre gate 26, 7010 Trondheim | NOK 12.9M | 26 | NOK 1.0M |
| Macbeth Schottish Pub | pub | Søndre gate 22B, 7010 Trondheim | NOK 7.8M | 9 | NOK 718.0K |
| Ramp Pub & Spiseri As | pub | Strandveien 25A, 7067 Trondheim | NOK 5.8M | 13 | NOK 173.0K |
| Falconetti Rugelsjøen | pub | Njords veg 42, 7035 Trondheim | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| God Drikke As | pub | Munkegata 25, 7011 Trondheim | NOK 0 | 46 | NOK 0 |
| Heimdalingen Pub Og Disco Ans | pub | Ringvålvegen 8, 7080 Heimdal | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Hoftaniska Gongfu | pub | Vegamot 1W, 7049 Trondheim | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Lerchendal Pub As | pub | Carl Johans gate 5, 7010 Trondheim | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Reppe Leikvoll | pub | Stadsing Dahls gate 32, 7043 Trondheim | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Kjempehyggelig As | night club | Dronningens gate 12, 7011 Trondheim | NOK 12.1M | 0 | NOK -4.5M |
Conclusion
The bar industry in Trondheim has shown both development and challenges in recent years. With a strong increase after 2022 and a concentration of companies in Trondheim city center, it is possible to find opportunities for new players. At the same time, it is important to be aware of the competition and local conditions. SmartGrunder can help entrepreneurs find suitable addresses and analyze potential opportunities in Trondheim.