Stavanger: Cocktails at Salon du Nord

When Steve was visiting me in Norway, we decided to spend the weekend in Stavanger. AC and Kristian came along too, and we all checked into Victoria Hotel, a beautiful old hotel right by the waterfront. The hotel bar, Salon du Nord, looked really nice, so before our dinner reservation at Fisketorget, we decided to stop by for cocktails.

Salon du Nord first opened as a barbershop and friseur in 1900, back when craftsmanship mattered, hospitality was an art, and a good night out meant great conversation and well-made drinks. At Salon du Nord, they want to bring that vibe back, and after our visit I can assure you that they’re doing a really great job. The bar has that classic 1900s feel, with dark wood, vintage details, and a cozy atmosphere that makes you want to stay for more than a short while.

The cocktails were really good. I had the Stavanger, a mix of Maker’s Mark bourbon, Galliano vanilla, sugar, bergamot and caramel, Angostura and orange bitters, and milk traces. It tasted like dessert—sweet, caramel-like, and topped with a piece of chocolate, and even though I really liked it, I think it would have worked better as an after-dinner drink.

Steve went for the Mosjøen, which turned out to be the coolest cocktail of the night. It was a mix of Pitu cachaça, Kuyper banana, yuzu sake, lemon, and lemongrass, and it was served with a smoke bubble on top, and one on the side as you can see in the video below. The bubbles burst into a puff of smoke shortly after the drink was served. Super cool, and a really nice start to the evening. If you’re ever in Stavanger, Salon du Nord is definitely worth a visit.

Salon du Nord, Skansegata 1, 4006 Stavanger, Norway