Stavanger Nightlife

Featuring a huge selection of literally hundreds of both draught and speciality bottled beers, Cardinal is a popular city centre watering hole. Regular beer-tasting sessions are arranged at this venue, which is located close to the Vågen harbourside. Tuesday night is quiz night.

Situated in the Victoria Hotel by the waterfront, this venue is pupular with customers on their way to or from various nightlife venues. It claims to offer the region's biggest range of whiskies, and is open from Tuesday to Saturday, 1600-0130.

Most Norwegian towns and cities of any size have at least one 'Irish' bar, and Stavanger is no exception. True to form, this lively city centre pub features regular Irish music to complement the free-flowing 'black stuff'. Opening times vary according to the day of the week.

Housed in a restored historic building by the quayside, this is really three venues in one, with a ground floor cocktail bar, first floor live music stage, and at the top, a nightclub/ lounge featuring regular visiting DJs.

Skansengaten 2, 4005 Stavanger

Tel: 5151 7232.

www.hall-toll.no

This groovy establishment attracts an arty clientele, drawn here by the cool vibe and the place's versatility – it's part café, part bar, part nightclub. It also puts on all kinds of shows, from concerts to cabarets and festivals. The frequent jazz nights are a special highlight.

One of Stavanger's newest night clubs, this city centre venue's interior is inspired, claim the owners, by the London scene. It's only open three days weekly (Thursdsay-Saturday) but on these nights guests can let their hair down until the small hours. Seats/tables can be booked in advance.

A good venue for indie, jazz and alternative rock, and popular with 'creative' types. It can get pretty busy, but a good range of live bands regularly feature. The venue is open from 2200-0300 daily, and is restricted to over-20s.

Nedre Strandgate 25, 4006 Stavanger

Tel: 5153 2245.

Established as one of Norway's better venues for fans of hard rock music – it's loud, lively and gets very busy at weekends. Normal opening hours are from 2200-0300, and in common with other such nightspots, entry is not permitted for under-20s.

Folken is the focus of student life in Stavanger. There's a café on the ground floor and a concert hall above, which features national and sometimes international bands, songsters and performing artists. Indie is the music of choice on most nights.