So, just how expensive is alcohol in Bergen?
- Billy
- Jul 28
- 3 min read
If you're visiting Bergen for the first time, there's one thing you might notice very quickly: alcohol in Norway isn't cheap!
Norway has some of the highest alcohol prices in Europe, largely because of government taxes and strict regulations around the sale of alcohol. So if you're used to grabbing a £4 pint in the UK or a €3 beer somewhere in Europe, you may get a little shock when the bill arrives in Bergen!
But don't worry – I'm here to give you an idea of what you can expect to pay.
Just a note, its illegal to promote any offers so theres no Happy hour or 2 for 1 on drinks. The bars are strictly prohibited from adverts. Even the logos on the rubber beer matts on the bars are facing the Bar Staff.
🍺 How Much Is a Beer in Bergen?
A local Norwegian beer such as Hansa, which is brewed right here in Bergen, is often one of the more affordable choices.
A typical 0.4 litre beer in a Bergen bar might cost around:
109 NOK – approximately £8.49/ €9.95 / $11.35
A larger 0.5 litre beer can be around:
119 NOK – approximately £9.27 / €10.87 / $12.40
And if you're ordering an imported beer or a Guinness, expect to pay a little more. A pint of Guinness can easily be around 142 NOK, which works out at approximately:
£11.06 / €12.97 / $14.79
Prices vary considerably between bars, restaurants and hotels, with some of the more expensive venues charging considerably more.
🍷 What About Wine?
Wine can also be quite expensive when drinking out in Bergen.
A small glass of house wine might cost around 115 NOK, or approximately:
£9.96 / €10.50 / $11.98
At a restaurant or wine bar, you'll obviously find a much wider range of prices. For example, some of Bergen's wine bars have glasses starting around 120–160 NOK, while premium wines can be considerably more.
If you're planning to order a bottle with dinner, 500 NOK or more is a reasonable starting point in a restaurant.
That's approximately:
£39 / €46 / $52
And yes... that bottle can disappear surprisingly quickly! 😂
🥃 What About Spirits and Cocktails?
Spirits are also expensive in Norway, and cocktails in Bergen can easily cost 150 NOK or more, depending on the bar and what you're ordering.
That's around:
150 NOK = £11.70 / €13.70 / $15.60
Cocktails in some of Bergen's more stylish bars can be considerably more expensive
🛒 Can You Buy Alcohol in the Supermarket?
Yes, but there are some important rules.
Supermarkets can sell beer and other alcoholic drinks up to 4.7% ABV, but stronger beer, wine and spirits are sold through Vinmonopolet, Norway's state alcohol retailer.
There are also restrictions on when alcohol can be purchased, and the rules are different from normal supermarket opening hours.
You must be 18 to buy beer and wine, while you must be 20 to buy spirits over 22% ABV.
💰 Quick Bergen Alcohol Price Guide
Currency conversions are approximate and based on exchange rates around 28 July 2026. Exchange rates change constantly, so treat these figures as a guide rather than an exact amount.
🍺 Current Alcohol Prices in Bergen
Drink | NOK | Approx. GBP | Approx. EUR | Approx. USD |
Hansa draught beer 0.4L | 109 kr | £8.49 | €9.95 | $11.35 |
Hansa draught beer 0.5L | 119 kr | £9.27 | €10.87 | $12.40 |
Guinness | 142 kr | £11.06 | €12.97 | $14.79 |
Glass of wine | 115 kr | £8.96 | €10.50 | $11.98 |
Jameson shot | 106 kr | £8.26 | €9.68 | $11.04 |
Conversions are approximate and will change with exchange rates.
🍻 Billy's Tip
If you're trying to keep the cost down local beer is generally a better-value choice than imported beer, and a supermarket beer is obviously considerably cheaper than sitting down in a bar.
And if you're going out for the evening, remember that Norway is a card-friendly country, so you don't need to carry a pocket full of Norwegian kroner.
The good news?
You don't have to drink alcohol to have a fantastic time in Bergen. There are plenty of excellent non-alcoholic beers, mocktails, coffee and soft drinks available too.
But if you do fancy a Norwegian beer while looking across at Bryggen, just remember to check the price first!
Welcome to Bergen – and skål! 🇳🇴🍻
Alcohol rules and laws in Norway
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