Cargo
Cargo is one of the few proper nightclubs in the Aker Brygge area, occupying a multi-level waterfront space with a large outdoor terrace. The venue operates as a restaurant and bar during early evening before transitioning into a club after 11 PM on weekends. The main room holds a sizable dance floor with a DJ booth, proper sound system, and lighting rig that separates it from the bar-with-music spots nearby. A second room offers a different musical program on bigger nights. The outdoor terrace, one of the largest on the strip, faces the harbor and stays busy from afternoon through evening in summer. Weekend DJ lineups lean toward house, disco, and commercial dance music, with occasional bookings of international DJs for special events. The crowd is mixed: after-work drinkers transition into a younger clubbing demographic as the night progresses. Entry is free early but a cover of NOK 150-200 applies after midnight on weekends. The club runs until 3 AM, which is late by Oslo standards but early by international ones.
What to Expect
Early evening feels like a waterfront restaurant with a DJ playing background music. By midnight the tables clear, the lights dim, the volume rises, and the space transforms into a proper nightclub. The transition happens gradually, and you can ride it from dinner drinks into dancing.
Dual personality: relaxed waterfront bar by early evening, energetic dance club by midnight.
House, disco, funk, and commercial dance music. Occasional techno nights for special events.
Smart casual for dinner hours. After midnight, the standard is clean and presentable. No sportswear or flip-flops.
Groups who want to start with waterfront drinks and transition into dancing without changing venues.
Cards only.
Price Range
Beer NOK 110-130, cocktails NOK 180-220, cover after midnight NOK 150-200
Beer ~$10-12/~9-11 EUR, cocktails ~$17-20/~15-19 EUR, cover ~$14-19/~13-17 EUR
Hours
Wed-Sat 16:00-03:00 (club mode from 23:00), Sun 14:00-22:00 (summer terrace only)
Insider Tip
Arrive before 11 PM to avoid the cover charge. The terrace is the best spot before midnight, and the main floor takes over after. The mezzanine level is less crowded and has better sightlines of the dance floor.
Full Review
Cargo makes more sense when you understand that it's two venues in one. Before 11 PM it functions as a waterfront bar and restaurant with a DJ providing background music on the terrace. Tables are set for dining, service is structured, and the crowd is diverse in age and intent. This version of Cargo is pleasant but unremarkable by Aker Brygge standards.
The transformation happens around 11 PM on Fridays and Saturdays. Staff clear the indoor dining tables, the lighting shifts to club mode, and the sound system goes from background to foreground. The dance floor fills as a younger crowd arrives. The DJ program targets the mainstream end of house and disco, occasionally pulling in funk and soul edits. It's not cutting-edge programming, but the execution is solid and the floor stays active.
The outdoor terrace remains the venue's strongest asset. It's one of the largest on the Aker Brygge strip, facing the harbor with space for standing, sitting, and socializing. In summer, the terrace operates from early afternoon and becomes a social hub long before the club opens. The combination of outdoor pre-drinks and indoor dancing gives Cargo a natural flow that other venues on the strip lack.
The cover charge after midnight (NOK 150-200) is modest by Oslo standards but adds up on top of already-expensive drinks. Groups doing the full evening, from dinner through dancing, should budget NOK 800-1,200 per person. The 3 AM closing time is the maximum allowed by licensing, and last call comes at 2:30 AM sharp.
The Neighborhood
Cargo sits on the main Aker Brygge waterfront strip, between the restaurant row and the Tjuvholmen extension. Other bars and restaurants are within a minute's walk in both directions. The nearest late-night food option is the kebab shop near the tram stop.
Getting There
Tram to Aker Brygge. The venue fronts the main promenade and is easy to spot. After closing, trams have stopped running, so use the Ruter night bus or a taxi app.
Other Venues in Aker Brygge
Aker Brygge Rorbua
Nautical-themed pub right on the wharf serving Norwegian seafood and beers. Rustic wood interior with harbor views and a popular outdoor terrace in summer.
Lekter'n
Floating bar on a barge in the Aker Brygge harbor. Open-air seating directly on the water. Seasonal operation from May through September. One of Oslo's most popular summer spots.
Skuret
Cocktail bar in a converted dockside warehouse with exposed brick walls and industrial fixtures. Inventive cocktail menu that changes seasonally. Attracts a late-twenties to forties crowd.
Amundsen Bryggeri & Spiseri
Craft brewery and restaurant at the Tjuvholmen end of Aker Brygge. Brews its own beer on-site. Spacious interior with views of the fjord and outdoor seating in warmer months.
The Thief Bar
Rooftop cocktail bar at The Thief hotel on Tjuvholmen. Panoramic harbor views and a curated cocktail list. Upscale dress code and crowd. One of Oslo's most exclusive evening spots.