The Pub Industry in Tromsø: Current Status and Future Prospects

Overview of the Pub Industry in Tromsø

Tromsø has 3 pubs registered in the municipality, with a total of 60 employees and combined sales of NOK 17.7 million in 2025. The industry has been marked by fluctuations over time, with a significant decline in 2020 (NOK 10.9M) followed by a gradual increase since 2022. The only pub with active financial data is Tromsø Jernbanestasjon As, which reports operating revenue of NOK 20.1M and an EBITDA of NOK 1.7M in 2025. There is a clear variation in company size and financial health, with two companies that have not reported revenue or operating profit.

Sales and Employee Development (2016–2025):

Sales experienced a significant decline in 2020 (-29.6%) followed by a strong increase in 2022 (+35.7%) and 2023 (+20.4%). In 2025, sales have stabilized at NOK 17.7M. The number of employees has been volatile, decreasing from 121 in 2016 to 41 in 2024, followed by a slight increase to 42 in 2025.

Tromsø has 3 pubs registered:

1. Helmers & Co As (Storgata 66) – AS, incorporated 2019-01-07, 25 employees, no financial data reported.
2. Tromsø Jernbanestasjon As (Strandgata 33) – AS, incorporated 2010-01-25, 20 employees, reports NOK 20.1M operating revenue and NOK 1.7M EBITDA in 2025.
3. Rørt As (Sjøgata 20) – AS, incorporated 2024-12-07, 15 employees, no financial data reported.

All companies are organized as AS, and there are no companies in other organizational forms in the municipality.

All 3 pubs in Tromsø are located in Tromsø. There is no sub-division of activity in sub-areas or districts within the municipality for this industry.

Bankruptcies and Operational Status:

None of the 3 pubs in Tromsø are registered as bankruptcy receivers in the data. This indicates that the industry has been relatively stable in the municipality over time. However, there is some uncertainty in the data, as two of the companies have not reported financial figures. This may indicate that they have not been actively operated or that the data is not available.

Outlook for the Pub Industry in Tromsø

Tromsø's pub industry shows signs of gradual stabilization after a sharp decline in 2020. With an increase in sales from 2022 and stabilization in 2025, as well as a slight increase in the number of employees in 2026, there may be potential for further growth. There are particular opportunities in connection with tourism and cultural events in Tromsø. For entrepreneurs, it may be profitable to focus on unique offerings, such as combinations of culture and local products, as well as ensuring good financial management to survive periods of low activity.

Outlook for the Bar/Club Sector in Relation to the Pub Industry

The bar/club sector in Tromsø has 22 companies, compared to 3 pubs in the same municipality. Sales in the sector have grown from NOK 77.3M in 2016 to NOK 152.3M in 2025, with an average annual growth of 7.3%. This is significantly higher than the pub industry, which had an average annual growth of 1.5% over the same period. EBITDA margins for pubs (8%) are however higher than for the bar/club sector (average 5.5%).

Peer companies in the bar/club sector:

These companies show that the bar/club sector has both larger companies and higher sales, but the pub industry has better EBITDA margins. This can be an advantage for entrepreneurs seeking to establish themselves in Tromsø, especially if they can combine high efficiency with unique offerings.

The pub industry in Tromsø has proven to be relatively stable, with a gradual increase in sales and a slight increase in the number of employees in 2026. Although there are few companies in the industry, there is potential for growth in connection with tourism and cultural events. For entrepreneurs, it may be profitable to focus on unique offerings and efficient operations. SmartGrunder can help find suitable locations and analyze market prospects for new pubs in Tromsø.