Pubs in Oslo: Key Figures, Businesses, and Outlook

The pub industry in Oslo is an important part of the city's cultural and social life. With 40 registered companies in the municipality (although only 16 are reported in detail), data shows a mix of established and new businesses. The industry has been marked by fluctuations over the years, with a significant decline in 2020 and a gradual increase since. The EBITDA margin stands at approximately 5%, indicating a relatively stable, but not extremely profitable, industry. The parent category bar / club has a larger business volume and higher revenue, which can provide insight into how the pub industry positions itself in a broader market.

Economic Trends

Revenue:

• 2016: NOK 238.2M
• 2025: NOK 294.9M
• Annual growth: +1.0% from 2024 to 2025

Number of employees:

• 2016: 368
• 2025: 426
• Annual growth: +10.8% from 2025 to 2026

Key figures:

• EBITDA margin: 5% (2025)
• Average revenue per employee: NOK 714,000 (2025)
• Highest revenue: Eventyrbrua As (NOK 65.6M)
• Lowest revenue: Alkemisten Bar As (NOK 0)

The industry has grown by 10.8% from 2025 to 2026, but has been marked by large fluctuations, especially in 2020 and 2021. The EBITDA margin has remained stable at around 5%, but shows variations between companies. For example, Mamma Pizza Nydalen As has a negative EBITDA (-16%), while Eventyrbrua As has a positive margin (5%).

Key Companies in the Industry

Top companies in Oslo (based on revenue):

Organizational forms:

• AS (25 companies): Dominates the industry, with high revenue and employees.
• DA (1 company): Some companies have lower revenue and employees.

Established companies:

• The Scotsman (founded 1986) has high revenue, but negative EBITDA.
• Old Irish Pub Norway As (founded 2019) has stable revenue and positive EBITDA.

New companies:

• Gressholmen As (founded 2025) has no reported revenue or EBITDA yet.

Geographic Distribution

Activity in Oslo:

• Number of companies: 26
• Number of employees: 526
• Revenue: NOK 339.2M
• Average revenue per company: NOK 13.0M

Key areas:

• Majorstua: Old Irish Pub Norway As (Kirkeveien 64A) is established here.
• Nydalen: Mamma Pizza Nydalen As (Rådhusgata 32) is an important business.
• Karl Johans gate: The Scotsman (Karl Johans gate 17) is a well-known location.
• Tøyen: Eventyrbrua As (Tøyenbekken 6) is a large business.

Conclusion: The industry is concentrated in Oslo, with a focus on central areas such as Majorstua, Nydalen, and Karl Johans gate. This suggests that pubs are often linked to tourist and cultural offerings in the city.

Bankruptcy Safety:

• No bankruptcies reported in the Oslo pub industry.
• Mamma Pizza Nydalen As and The Scotsman have negative EBITDA, but are still in operation.

Operational Efficiency:

• Eventyrbrua As has a high EBITDA (5%) and stable revenue.
• Mamma Pizza Nydalen As has low EBITDA (-16%) and negative operating result.
• Gressholmen As has no reported revenue or EBITDA, which may indicate a new start or temporary closure.

Conclusion: The industry has proven to be relatively operationally efficient, with no bankruptcies. However, there are variations in EBITDA between companies, which can be a challenge for new entrants.

Outlook for Entrepreneurs

Opportunities:

• Stable market: The industry has grown by 10.8% from 2025 to 2026, showing a gradual increase after the decline in 2020.
• Concentration in Oslo: Central areas such as Majorstua and Karl Johans gate are attractive for new pubs.
• High bankruptcy safety: No bankruptcies in the industry, indicating a stable industry.

Challenges:

• Competing companies: Many existing pubs have high revenue, which can make it difficult to establish oneself.
• Low EBITDA margin: Average of 5%, meaning cost control is critical for profitability.
• Varied operating results: Some companies have negative EBITDA, which can be a warning for new entrants.

Recommendation: Entrepreneurs should focus on differentiation, cost control, and location in Oslo. SmartGrunder can help find optimal addresses for new pubs in the city.

Broader industry2 (bar / club):

• Number of companies: 245
• Revenue (2025): NOK 962.3M
• Number of employees (2025): 2,330
• EBITDA margin: Lower than the pub industry (data missing, but parent_sales_yoy shows higher revenue).

Peer companies in the bar / club sector:

Conclusion: The bar / club sector is larger and has higher revenue than the pub industry, but with similar EBITDA margins. This shows that pubs are part of a broader industry with both opportunities and challenges.

Summary

The pub industry in Oslo is an important part of the city's social and cultural life, with 40 companies and stable growth since 2020. The industry has proven to be operationally efficient, with no bankruptcies, but with variations in EBITDA between companies. Entrepreneurs should focus on differentiation, cost control, and location in Oslo. The bar / club sector is larger and has higher revenue, but with similar EBITDA margins. SmartGrunder can help find optimal addresses for new pubs in Oslo.