I’ve been looking around for bars with live music. It’s challenging to locate these spots when you are not ‘in the scene’. These small live acts will often be published only as a Facebook message, if published at all, and the rest is typically spread by word of mouth.
I can’t be the only one looking for these places, so I thought it was more than time to write a blog post on the best places to check out in Stavanger for live music. I’ll update the list as I discover more bars and visit them. Please let me know if you have any suggestions.
The venues to check out
Folken is great. It’s been running since 1988, managed by students and volunteers in this yellow building, which was formerly a cinema. Three different spaces mean they can host everything from intimate gigs to touring acts. The programming is diverse, ranging from indie to rock, jazz, metal, and electronic.
- Website: https://www.folken.no
- Events calendar: https://www.folken.no/folken/program
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Folken1988
- Capacity: Main hall (650), basement venue Grottene (180), ground floor café Akvariet
- Bonus: Student discounts
Konserthuset is where I’m heading this month. It’s the big concert hall by the fjord that opened in 2012. Home to the Stavanger Symphony Orchestra, but they also do rock, pop, jazz, world music, the lot. The acoustics are apparently world-class, which makes sense given they spent over a billion kroner on it.
- Website: https://www.stavanger-konserthus.no
- Programme (English): https://www.stavanger-konserthus.no/program/?lang=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/konserthus
- Multiple halls: Fartein Valen (1,500 seats), Zetlitz (800-1,900), Kuppelhallen (1,000), outdoor amphitheatre in summer
- Restaurant on-site: Spiseriet (award-winning, proper fancy)
Blygeharry is the one I just discovered by walking past. It’s small, only holds 60-70 people, which means you’re basically in the musicians’ laps. Recently moved to Verksgata 10.
Gisle Myklebust Quartet at Blygeharry! A very good performance in a cosy setting.
- Website: https://www.blygeharry.no
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blygeharry
- Address: Verksgata 10, 4006 Stavanger
- Vibe: Intimate, jazz-focused, connection to local music scene
Spor 5 is Stavanger’s dedicated jazz venue, run by Stavanger Jazzforum. Proper professional setup with 200-250 capacity, year-round programming,
- Website: https://spor5.no
- Tickets/events: https://stavangerjazzforum.ticketco.events/no/nb/m
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StavangerSpor5/
- Address: Jernbaneveien 3-5, 4005 Stavanger
- Phone: +47 51 84 66 68
Tou Scene is one of Norway’s largest independent cultural institutions. Set in an old brewery in Stavanger East, it hosts over 450 events annually across multiple stages. Everything from rock and electronic to theatre and art exhibitions. Very much part of the alternative/indie scene.
- Website: https://www.touofficial.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/@touofficial/
- Address: Kvitsøygata 25, 4014 Stavanger
- Email: kommunikasjon@touscene.com
- Multiple spaces, 10-minute walk from city centre
Fiskepiren is the largest private venue in Stavanger, used to be a ferry terminal, now it’s a proper concert hall. Standing capacity of 1,400 or 600 seated. Gets touring Norwegian and international acts regularly.
- Address: Fiskepiren 1 / Verksgata 14B, 4013 Stavanger
- Check Songkick or Ticketmaster for upcoming shows
- Professional venue for major concerts
Irish pubs with regular live music
Irish pubs are quite popular in the international city of Stavanger. And they deliver on the live music front.
The Irishman is one of Norway’s oldest Irish pubs (opened 1991). Cosy spot on top of Sølvberget.
- Website: https://www.theirishman.no
- What’s on: https://www.theirishman.no/whats-on/
- Address: Høleberggata 9, 4006 Stavanger
- Phone: +47 51 89 41 81
- Live music: Thursdays 20:00-23:00, Saturdays 15:00-18:00.
- Opening hours vary by day (closed-ish Mondays/Tuesdays, latest Friday/Saturday until 02:00)
O’Connor’s Irish Pub is apparently Norway’s largest Irish pub—3,000 square metres across four (!) floors. Live Irish music every Friday and Saturday at 22:00. Free entry, no reservations, first-come, first-served.
- Website: https://oconnors.no/stavanger/
- Live music page: https://oconnors.no/stavanger/livemusikk-stavanger/
- Address: Klubbgata 1, Stavanger
- Schedule: Live music every Friday & Saturday, 22:00
- Big venue, 1,700 capacity
The Old Irish Pub is another big spot (also part of a chain). Located in De Røde Sjøhus, four floors, can fit 1,700 people. Live bands and DJs every Friday and Saturday. Big dance floor if that’s your thing.
- Website: https://oldirishpub.no/en/stavanger/page/forside/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Oldirishpubstavanger/
- Instagram: @oldirishpub_stavanger
- Address: Nedre Holmegt. 12-20, 4006 Stavanger
- Live music: Every Friday & Saturday
Bars and pubs with live music and events
Bardello calls itself “Home of Live Music & Good Times” and from what I can tell, they mean it. 1920s Gatsby vibe, located on the colourful Øvre Holmegate. Daily live music and events – concerts, salsa nights, karaoke, cabaret. They’re serious about both the music and the cocktails.
- Website: https://www.bardello.no
- Location: Øvre Holmegate, Stavanger
- Vibe: Live stage bar, eclectic, various genres daily
Checkpoint Charlie is legendary if you’re into rock, punk, and metal. Been around since 1987, proper cult status. Small, loud, sweaty, brilliant. Age limit usually 20+, open until 03:00.
- Website: http://www.checkpoint.no
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/@checkpoint.charlie.1/
- Address: Nedre Strandgate 5, 4005 Stavanger
- Music: Alternative rock, punk, metal, hard rock
- Also hosts monthly English standup comedy
Cementen Pub & Scene has been going since 1990. Back room transforms for DJ sets and live shows. Age 20+, open until 03:00. Free entry before 23.00.
- Website: www.cementen.no
- Address: Nedre Strandgate 25, 4005 Stavanger
- Check Facebook for the schedule
Musikkstuen Påfyll is a cultural club with a “cosy living room feeling” that hosts the Stavanger Blues Club every Tuesday at 20:30.
- Website: https://musikkstuen.no
- Blues Club: Every Tuesday, 20:30
- Music: Blues, folk, country, rock, acoustic
- Intimate atmosphere, good for discovering local talent
Cultural venues with music programmes
Sølvberget Bibliotek og Kulturhus is Rogaland’s most visited cultural institution – it’s a library and cultural centre combined.
- Website: https://www.solvberget.no
- Events calendar: https://solvberget-prod.solv.dev/hva-skjer
- Address: Sølvberggata 2, 4007 Stavanger
- Music: family-friendly (informational) programming
- Bonus: Free events, accessible facilities
The verdict
Right, there you have it. Stavanger actually has a pretty solid live music scene, it’s just been scattered across dozens of websites, Facebook pages, and venues without a central page to find what’s going on quickly.
My recommendation is to visit the websites of these venues and sign up for their newsletters and Facebook pages that resonate with you.
Got venues I’ve missed or updates on what’s actually happening? Let me know – I’ll keep this updated as the scene evolves.
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