5 Fun Bars in Svalbard for an Arctic Nightcap

After a long tour, grabbing a drink at one of Longyearbyen's bars is a great way to unwind and celebrate your adventures.

Whether you're in the mood for cocktails or looking to mingle with locals, each of these bars in Svalbard offers something unique. We spent a week in Longyearbyen and these were our favourite spots.

Planning a trip to Svalbard? Don't miss our 5 day itinerary.

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5 Fun Bars in Svalbard

1. Best for hanging out with locals: Karlsberger Pub

If you’re looking for where the locals hang out, head to Karlsberger Pub. We got this tip from our local guide on a boat tour, and we definitely think it's the coolest bar in Longyearbyen.

The industrial-chic lounge inspired by Svalbard’s mining history feels cozy inside with its dim lighting and 1,200 bottles lining the bar. The friendly bartenders also whip up some tasty cocktails, making it a great place to unwind and chat with locals.

Best yet, because of its dark, windowless interior, stepping outside in the early morning to the midnight sun feels absolutely surreal.

2. Best for cocktails: Funken Bar

Head up the hill to Funken Bar at Funken Lodge, where Arctic glamour meets mixology. We couldn't believe the calibre of the cocktails this far north.

Funken Bar's cocktail menu pays homage to Svalbard's mining history, with each signature drink named after a different mine. Our favourite cocktail was Gruve-6 (mine #6), a unique mix of rum, milk-washed Earl Grey tea, vermouth, peach and lime.

Their gourmet bar bites are also something not to miss. Go for the crab lollipops.

3. Best for sitting outside: Barentz Gastropub

Nestled within the Radisson Blu Polar Hotel, Barentz Gastropub is a lively place to enjoy an aperitif, especially on the outdoor patio when the sun is out. It's fun to people-watch as guests come and go from the hotel.

On our first day, we toasted our arrival with a drink in the sunshine. The atmosphere feels festive, with everyone celebrating a fun day of adventure.

We enjoyed their wines by the glass and the local Longyearbyen and Norwegian beers.

4. Best for trying Scandinavian gins: Svalbar

Elsker Dry Velvet Gin & Tonic at Svalbar

At Svalbar, you’ll find a laidback gastropub atmosphere that's perfect for a relaxing evening. What sets the bar apart from the others is its impressive gin selection. It's a fun way to try Scandinavian gins - they feature eight from Norway and one from Finland and Sweden.

Select your gin for a gin & tonic - each drink comes with its own set of fresh ingredients chosen to enhance its flavour, including blueberries, lemon zest, apple slices, orange zest, strawberries, rosemary, thyme, and peppercorn.

Our favourite was the Elsker Dry Velvet Gin with blueberries and lemon zest.

5. Best for beer enthusiasts: Svalbard Brewery

If you're a beer lover, you won't want to miss the chance to visit the world's northernmost brewery. On Fridays, Svalbard Brewery opens their Brewery Bar & Tap Room from 4 PM to 10 PM.

If you're not there on a Friday, you could also do a beer tasting and brewery visit on Monday, Wednesday or Saturday at 6 PM.

Svalbard Brewery offers a wide range of beers, including blonde, weissbier, pilsner, IPA, ale, and even some barrel-aged in a coal mine. Ari loved their pilsner.

The brewery is a fun activity to do back-to-back with the Svalbad sauna since it's just a 3-minute walk away.

We hope you enjoyed these 5 bars in Svalbard!

Bonus: Our Top Hotel Picks

Best Overall: Radisson Blu Polar Hotel offers a prime location, an included buffet breakfast with a view, and excellent on-site dining options, including restaurant Nansen and gastropub Barentz. This is where we stayed.

Best for Luxury: Funken Lodge is a boutique hotel with a touch of glamour and luxe amenities. It even has a champagne cellar for tastings. It's located uphill however, and is not an easy walk away from the main strip.

Best Value: Mary-Ann's Polarrigg is a rustic hotel with a great location, complimentary breakfast, and a winter garden restaurant, featuring quirky accommodations with shared bathrooms.

🛋️ Browse more hotels in Longyearbyen

Don't miss our other Svalbard guides:

Get started on booking your trip to Svalbard

🛌 Book your accommodation: Booking.com is our go-to for finding places to stay. Sort by top reviewed.
🚤 Book your tours: Visit Svalbard is a great resource that lists tours.
✈️ Compare flights: with Skyscanner

Don't forget about travel insurance

👩‍⚕️ For affordable travel insurance: go with SafetyWing - it's budget-friendly and you can even buy it while abroad, but note the max medical coverage is $250,000 USD.

🏥 For comprehensive travel insurance: go with World Nomads - it's more expensive, but the max emergency medical coverage is $5-10 million, depending on the plan.

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