The Pub Industry in Bodø: Current Situation and Future Opportunities

The pub industry in Bodø shows a mix of stability and variation. The municipality has three registered pubs, with combined sales of over 84 million NOK in 2025 and 98 employees. The three businesses operate as AS entities and are all still in operation. The economic development has been positive in recent years, with a 3.6% increase in sales from 2024 to 2025. The EBITDA margin stands at 17%, indicating good operational efficiency. At the same time, the number of employees has varied, with an 11.5% decrease from 2024 to 2025. This suggests that the sector has both potential and challenges related to operational conditions and market development.

The pub industry in Bodø has shown dynamic development in recent years. Sales figures have increased by 3.6% from 2024 to 2025, reaching 84.2 million NOK. This is an improvement compared to 2023, although there was an 8.6% decline during the same period. The number of employees has varied, with an increase from 91 to 98 people from 2024 to 2026. The EBITDA margin has remained stable at 17%, indicating good operational efficiency. At the same time, the operating result has shown variations, with a 2% decline in 2024 compared to 2023. This shows that the sector has both strengths and challenges related to economic stability and market development.

In Bodø, three pubs are registered as operating in the municipality. These businesses are all organized as AS entities and have the following details:

All businesses are still in operation, and none have filed for bankruptcy. They have combined sales of over 84 million NOK in 2025, with an average EBITDA margin of 17%. This shows that the sector has a good economic structure, even though there are variations between individual businesses.

All businesses in the pub sector in Bodø are located in the municipality's main town, Bodø. One activity is registered in the municipality, with 108 employees and combined sales of 86.3 million NOK in 2025. This shows that the sector is concentrated in certain areas, which can provide both advantages and challenges in terms of market development and operations. No activities are registered in other districts or areas of the municipality.

Bankruptcy statistics for the pub sector in Bodø show that none of the registered businesses have filed for bankruptcy. This is a positive indicator for the sector's stability. At the same time, the number of employees has varied over time, with an 11.5% decrease from 2024 to 2025. This may indicate that the businesses have faced operational challenges, even though they have managed to remain in operation. Sales figures have shown positive development in recent years, with a 3.6% increase from 2024 to 2025. This shows that the sector has a good operational structure, even though there are variations between individual businesses.

For entrepreneurs considering starting a pub in Bodø, the data indicate that there is potential for growth and development. Sales figures have shown positive development in recent years, with a 3.6% increase from 2024 to 2025. The EBITDA margin stands at 17%, indicating good operational efficiency. At the same time, three businesses are registered in the municipality, indicating an established market. This can provide opportunities to develop new pubs, especially if there is a need for more alternatives in the city. At the same time, entrepreneurs should be aware of operational challenges, reflected in the variation in the number of employees over time.

Compared to the broader bar/club category in Bodø, the pub sector shows a different development. The broader category has 8 businesses, while the pub sector has 3. Sales figures for bar/club have shown an increase of 3.5% from 2024 to 2025, reaching 123.8 million NOK. This shows that the broader category has a larger market share. At the same time, the number of employees in the bar/club category has varied more, with a 21.9% decrease from 2024 to 2025. This suggests that the pub sector has a more stable development compared to the broader category. Peer businesses in the bar/club category include, among others, Dama Di As and Sandgata Servering As, which have higher sales and EBITDA than the pub sector.

The pub industry in Bodø shows both opportunities and challenges for entrepreneurs. With a 3.6% increase in sales from 2024 to 2025 and a stable EBITDA margin of 17%, the data indicate that there is potential for growth. At the same time, three businesses are registered in the municipality, indicating an established market. This can provide opportunities to develop new pubs, especially if there is a need for more alternatives in the city. At the same time, entrepreneurs should be aware of operational challenges, reflected in the variation in the number of employees over time. SmartGrunder can help entrepreneurs find suitable addresses and develop strategies to succeed in this sector.