Ølhallen opened in 1928 in the cellar of the Mack brewery and has been running ever since. It is Tromsø's oldest pub, and for decades it was where fishermen, sailors, and locals gathered after work.
Mack was founded in 1877 by Ludwig Markus Mack, a German-born baker who believed beer could replace hard spirits in the north. The brewery claimed to be the world's northernmost for most of its history, though that title has since been taken by smaller breweries further north. The actual brewing moved to Nordkjosbotn, about 70 km away, in 2012, but Ølhallen stayed.
Today it has 72 taps, all Norwegian beer. The interior is no-nonsense: long tables, simple decor, and a clientele that ranges from students to pensioners. No food, just beer. No cocktails, no wine. If you want to understand Tromsø's drinking culture, this is where you go.
Mack was founded in 1877 by Ludwig Markus Mack, a German-born baker who believed beer could replace hard spirits in the north. The brewery claimed to be the world's northernmost for most of its history, though that title has since been taken by smaller breweries further north. The actual brewing moved to Nordkjosbotn, about 70 km away, in 2012, but Ølhallen stayed.
Today it has 72 taps, all Norwegian beer. The interior is no-nonsense: long tables, simple decor, and a clientele that ranges from students to pensioners. No food, just beer. No cocktails, no wine. If you want to understand Tromsø's drinking culture, this is where you go.