---
Oslo has a reputation. Ask anyone who's visited and they'll tell you the same story: ordered a pint, nearly choked at the price, switched to water. And yes, at the wrong bar in the wrong part of town, you can easily pay 149 kr for a half-litre of something you didn't particularly want.
But that version of Oslo is a choice. A bad one, and an avoidable one.
The city has dozens of bars where a pint of draught lager costs under 80 kr — some go as low as 59–65 kr. The trick isn't luck, it's knowing which neighbourhoods to target, when to show up, and which venues the tourist map conveniently leaves off.
This guide covers all of it.
---
The Golden Rule: Go East
The single most reliable way to drink cheaply in Oslo is to stay east of the city centre. The neighbourhoods of Grünerløkka, Carl Berner, Sagene, Torshov, and Grønland consistently have the lowest average prices in the city. The further west you go — towards Frogner, Aker Brygge, and Tjuvholmen — the more you're paying for the postcode rather than the pint.
This isn't a secret locals are keeping from you. It's just geography and economics. Rent is lower out east, so bars don't need to charge as much to cover it.
---
The Cheapest Bars in Oslo Right Now
Based on current PilsPosten data, these are the venues with the lowest prices in the city:
Under 70 kr/0.5L
Phuket *(Grünerløkka)* — 59 kr A no-frills local bar with some of the lowest draught prices on the east side. Not somewhere you'd take a first date, but exactly somewhere you'd start a Friday.
Grunerhaven *(Grünerløkka)* — 65 kr One of the better-value spots on the Løkka strip, with outdoor seating when the weather cooperates. The kind of place that's busy on a Tuesday, which tells you everything.
Yoyo Dumplings & Noodles *(St. Hanshaugen)* — 65 kr Primarily a food spot, but the beer price is hard to argue with. Worth knowing if you're in the area and want a drink that doesn't sting.
Under Brua Bar *(Grønland)* — 69 kr Grønland is consistently underrated as a drinking neighbourhood — it's close to the centre, well connected by public transport, and the bars here price for locals, not tourists. Under Brua is a solid example.
Wembley Fotballpub *(Carl Berner)* — 69 kr A proper football pub with screens, regulars, and a price that makes watching a match feel affordable again. If there's a game on, it fills up fast.
Valentino Gastropub *(Carl Berner)* — 72 kr Carl Berner as a neighbourhood is one of Oslo's best-kept budget secrets. Two good options within walking distance of each other, both well under the city average.
---
Neighbourhoods Worth Knowing
Grünerløkka
The most well-known of Oslo's east-side neighbourhoods, and still one of the best for value. The main strip along Thorvald Meyers gate has bars at every price point, but wander off it slightly and prices drop noticeably. Cafe Stolen (78 kr, with happy hour at 59 kr), Buen Bar (79 kr), and Petrus (80 kr) all sit comfortably below the city average.
Løkka also has outdoor seating options that work well from April onwards — the sun hits the west-facing terraces in the evening, and a pint in the sun at 65–70 kr is hard to complain about.
Carl Berner
Consistently the cheapest area in PilsPosten's data, with an area average well below anywhere else. It's a tram ride from the centre (line 17 or 18), but the price difference justifies the journey. Rendevouz Kro (locally known as Renna, 75 kr) and Wembley are both popular with locals who know the city well.
St. Hanshaugen
Slightly more mixed, but Rett Inn Bar at 70 kr (60 kr during happy hour) and Bar Babylon are both solid choices. The neighbourhood has a relaxed feel — residential rather than nightlife-focused — which tends to keep prices honest.
Sagene & Torshov
Further north but worth knowing if you're in the area. Sagene Bar (79 kr) and Sandaker Cafe (75 kr, with outdoor seating) are both good local spots that rarely appear on tourist itineraries.
Grønland
Often overlooked in favour of Grünerløkka, Grønland sits just south of it and has a rougher, more eclectic mix of bars. Bydelskroa (73 kr) is a neighbourhood institution — large, loud, and reliably affordable.
---
Happy Hour: The Biggest Lever
Even expensive bars become manageable during happy hour. In Oslo, most happy hours run between 15:00 and 18:00 on weekdays, with some extending to 19:00 or 20:00. The discount is typically 20–40 kr off the standard price, which can bring a 100 kr pint down to 60–65 kr.
Some current standouts:
- Bar Royal (Sentrum) — 59 kr during happy hour, 69 kr otherwise. One of the best central deals if you time it right. - Cafe Stolen (Grünerløkka) — happy hour at 59 kr. Already a budget-friendly bar, even cheaper before 18:00. - Rett Inn Bar (St. Hanshaugen) — drops to 60 kr. Good spot to start the evening before moving elsewhere.
The PilsPosten [happy hour tracker →](#) shows today's active deals in real time, so you don't have to guess.
---
Where NOT to Drink on a Budget
This guide wouldn't be honest without a warning list.
Aker Brygge and Tjuvholmen — the waterfront west of the city centre is beautiful and reliably expensive. Expect 140–160 kr as a starting price. Fine for a special occasion, brutal for a regular night out.
Majorstuen — a nice neighbourhood, but the bars here price for the area's above-average income bracket. You'll rarely find anything under 100 kr.
The airport — mentioned only because people do it. Oslo Gardermoen has some of the highest beer prices in the country. Buy a water bottle and wait.
---
A Practical Route: Budget Night Out in Oslo
If you want to put this into practice, here's a simple route that keeps costs down across a full evening:
1. Start at Carl Berner (17:00) — catch happy hour at Wembley or Renna, around 69–75 kr 2. Move to Grünerløkka (19:00) — settle in at Grunerhaven or Cafe Stolen for the main part of the evening, 65–78 kr 3. Head towards Grønland or Sentrum (22:00) — Bar Royal or Under Brua for the later hours, 59–73 kr
Five pints across the evening at these prices: roughly 350–380 kr. The same five pints at Aker Brygge: closer to 700 kr.
Use [RoutePils →](#) to map the exact walk between stops and find the shortest route.
---
The Bottom Line
Oslo is expensive if you treat it like a tourist and drink where tourists drink. It's genuinely affordable if you go where locals go — which is mostly east, often slightly off the main streets, and almost always during happy hour at least once.
The city's cheapest pint right now is 59 kr. The city average is 117 kr. The difference between those two numbers is just knowing where to look.
---
*Prices are tracked in real time on PilsPosten. Check the [Oslo bar listings →](#) for current data before heading out — prices can change seasonally or without notice.*