Alcohol
Alcohol in Norway
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Buying from the Supermarket
Its a common thing that many people on vacation want a beer on a Saturday evening after a long day of exploring the city, or to drink whilst you're getting ready before you hit the town later for Dinner.
One thing you need to keep in mind in Norway, and not just in Bergen, is the limited time you have to buy alcohol. Especially alcohol over 4.7%.
There are strict rules in Norway regarding alcohol sales in the stores.
Alcohol over 4.7% has to be purchased at a state owned alcohol shop called Vinmonopolet.
Anything up to 4,7% can be sold in a local supermarket. But, there's also strict time restrictions for buying alcohol here too.
Supermarkets can sell beer lager or cider up to 4.7% until 20.00 on a weekday and until 18.00 on a Saturday. The stores are closed on Sundays. So if you forget to buy your favourite beer on a Saturday before 18.00 you will then have to wait until they re open on Monday.
If you want to buy Wine, Spirits or stronger beer, then this has to be purchased at the Vinmonopolet. So if you wanted to purchase a bottle of Wine and some Whiskey the opening hours are 10-6 (10- 18.00 ) Monday to Friday and 10-4 ( 10-16.00) on a Saturday. Sunday its closed.
Be aware to that alcohol in Norway is heavily taxed so it will be quite eye opening if you start comparing the prices of alcohol to other places in Europe.
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Here's a link to the Vinmonopolet to see what the current prices are.
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To buy wine or beer in Norway, the minimum age is 18 years. For spirits, it is 20 years.
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Bars and Clubs.
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The general rule in Bergen ( this differs to Oslo ) is 18 years for Alcohol upto 21% and 20+ for alcohol thats 22% and above.
Also please be aware that some bars don't want a younger clientele in their bar so they may have an age restriction of 23. This is becoming more common as it tends to be the younger ones that cause more problems. So just be aware if you are planning on going for drinks with your kids.
It also varies bar to bar regarding infants in the bars. Alot of the bars don't allow young kids. Some do but only if they have an outside area and some will allow young kids until 20.00. This is very very different so there is no general rule, its purely discretionary bar to bar.
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Most Norwegians drink later in the evening unless the sun is shining, then the city will be busy from around 16.00. (4pm ). Monday to Wednesday tends to be alot quieter and some bars don't open on a Monday so check their websites for opening hours. Alot of the bars also open up later in the winter. The summer hours are usually from 12 midday but winter is usually from 14.00 (2pm ) or 16.00 ( 4pm ).
You will also notice that there are no offers anywhere on alcohol. This is not allowed in Norway and they are very strict on this.
You wont see any promotions such as 2 for 1 or happy hour advertised anywhere in Norway. It's illegal for bars to promote this. As is the uniform, you wont see Heineken or Guinness advertised on any work uniform. You will also notice that there are no alcohol adverts anywhere and that the alcohol in supermarkets doesn't have a sign above showing where it is. You may even see that sponsored bar mats are upside down or facing towards the bar so its harder for the customer to read the advert.
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One last thing to note is its illegal to walk around the city with a beer in your hand, so don't be surprised if a local person stops and tells you off if you do this.
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I hope these bits of advice have helped you, now go and enjoy Bergen, have fun,
Billy
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