Ølhallen: a beer hall with a Tromsø story

The short answer

Is Ølhallen worth a visit?

Yes, if you enjoy beer and want a relaxed stop with local history. Mack calls Ølhallen Tromsø’s oldest pub; it opened in 1928 and still operates in the Mack quarter on Storgata. The main draw is the atmosphere and a large selection of Norwegian beers, not a museum-style exhibition.

If you would rather learn how the brewery developed, book the guided Mack tour. If you want a non-drinking indoor stop, the free Tromsø Library or Perspektivet Museum will fit better. Ølhallen is a pub, so expect an alcohol-focused setting.

A piece of the city

What is the story behind Ølhallen?

Mack was founded in Tromsø in 1877. Ølhallen opened in 1928 as the brewery’s beer hall and became a meeting place for residents and travellers. Mack still runs the pub in its historic Storgata premises, although its main beer production moved to Nordkjosbotn in 2012.

Today, the old brewery quarter brings together the pub, the Kjeller 5 beer and brewing shop, and Mack’s microbrewery. That is why you can visit the pub without joining a tour, or choose the paid tour to go further into the old production spaces.

Visit at your own pace

What is a visit to the pub like?

As checked on 16 October 2026, Mack advertises 72 Norwegian beers on tap, including its own products and beers from other breweries. The choice can feel daunting, so ask the staff for a recommendation or try a tasting board of five smaller pours. The range and prices can change; check the current list when you arrive.

You do not need a brewery-tour ticket to sit in Ølhallen. Mack recommends reserving a table for groups; for a casual visit, allow time to find a seat, especially at busy hours or on event nights. If you are planning a specific concert or tasting, check the venue’s current programme and booking terms first.

Go behind the beer hall

Should you take the Mack brewery tour?

Choose the tour if the brewing and industrial history matters more to you than simply having a drink. Mack describes a 60-minute guided visit beginning at Kjeller 5, continuing through old brewery cellars and finishing in the microbrewery. It includes one beer tasting; the Visit Tromsø tour listing says Arctic water is available as a non-alcoholic alternative.

As checked on 16 October 2026, Mack lists a drop-in tour at 15:30 Monday to Friday and 14:30 Saturday. The tour is paid, and the price shown by Mack differs from the price on the Visit Tromsø listing, so check the final amount with the seller you use. Visit Tromsø lists a minimum age of 18 for the entire tour, including guests who would not drink. Check availability, language, meeting point and age rules before buying.

Before you go

Where is Ølhallen, and when is it open?

Ølhallen is at Storgata 4, 9008 Tromsø, on the southern stretch of the city-centre shopping street. It is straightforward to reach on foot while exploring central Tromsø.

When checked on 16 October 2026, Mack listed pub hours of 12:00–00:30 Monday to Saturday and 13:00–19:30 Sunday. These are the pub’s hours, not the tour timetable or Kjeller 5 shop hours. Recheck the current Ølhallen page for your date, particularly around holidays.

Common questions

Ølhallen FAQ