Background

Alberts – Cocktail Bar in Aarhus’ Oldest Cellar

Inventive cocktails and intimate stand-up comedy in Aarhus’ oldest vaulted cellar, hidden beneath Store Torv in the historic heart of the city.

4.4

Hidden beneath the cobbles of Store Torv in central Aarhus, Alberts is a characterful cocktail bar and comedy cellar set in a vaulted monk’s basement dating back to the 1300s. Once home to wine merchant Albert Thorup, today it blends centuries-old brick arches with candlelight, inventive cocktails, craft beer and tapas. On weeknights the space turns into an intimate open-mic stand-up venue, while Fridays and Saturdays focus on mixology, music and long, sociable evenings in one of the city’s most historic drinking dens.

A brief summary to Alberts - Cocktailbar i Aarhus

  • Store Torv 3, Aarhus Municipality, Aarhus C, 8000, DK
  • +4531328268
  • Visit website
  • Duration: 1.5 to 4 hours
  • Mid ranged
  • Environment icon Indoor
  • Mobile reception: 5 out of 5
  • Monday 6 pm-11:30 pm
  • Tuesday 6 pm-11:30 pm
  • Wednesday 6 pm-11:30 pm
  • Thursday 12 pm-11:30 pm
  • Friday 12 pm-2 am
  • Saturday 12 pm-2 am
  • Sunday 6 pm-11:30 pm

Local tips

  • Arrive early for open-mic comedy nights to secure good seats, as the low, vaulted cellar fills up quickly and seating is limited.
  • Ask the bartenders for recommendations or off-menu twists; the cocktail list changes seasonally and staff often showcase local spirits and house syrups.
  • If you want a quieter visit focused on drinks and conversation, choose later evening times outside the main comedy hours on weeknights.
  • In summer, consider sitting at the outdoor tables on Store Torv for people-watching with views toward Aarhus Cathedral.
  • Mind the staircase when entering and exiting; the historic cellar layout includes steps and low ceilings that may be tricky after a few drinks.
widget icon

Alberts - Cocktailbar i Aarhus location weather suitability

  • Weather icon Any Weather
  • Weather icon Rain / Wet Weather
  • Weather icon Cold Weather
  • Weather icon Mild Temperatures
  • Weather icon Hot Weather

Unlock the Best of Alberts - Cocktailbar i Aarhus

Buy tickets

    No tickets available

Book tours with entry

    No tours available

Book tours without entry

    No tours available

Discover more about Alberts - Cocktailbar i Aarhus

Centuries of Stories Beneath Store Torv

Step down from busy Store Torv into what is believed to be Aarhus’ oldest cellar, a vaulted basement carved out in the 1300s. The thick stone walls and broad arches once formed part of a monk’s cellar, long before the city grew up around it. From around 1885 the space became a tavern run by wine merchant Albert Thorup, whose name the bar still proudly carries, and continuous hospitality has been poured here ever since. The sense of age is immediate: low ceilings, uneven brickwork and cool air that hints at centuries of stored wine and food. Yet the lighting is warm, candles flicker on tables, and the restored interior feels more like a snug living room than a museum piece.

From Thorup’s Kælder to Modern Cocktail Refuge

For generations the venue was known as Thorups Kælder, one of Aarhus’ classic watering holes, before a full refurbishment and concept change in 2016 gave it new life as Alberts. The renovation cleaned and highlighted original stone, added atmospheric lighting and comfortable seating, and introduced a more contemporary bar setup without erasing the cellar’s patina. Today you sit where dockworkers, merchants and townsfolk once gathered, but instead of simple beer and schnapps you find a carefully curated menu of cocktails, craft beers and spirits. The blend of old bones and new ideas gives Alberts a distinct character that feels both grounded and fresh.

Cocktails, Craft Beers and Tapas Plates

Alberts is first and foremost a cocktail bar. The menu typically rotates a few times a year, offering everything from sweet and fruity mixes to sharper, spirit-forward creations. Classics like sours, negronis and old fashioneds sit alongside house signatures built on Nordic ingredients and homemade syrups. Prices are moderate by Danish standards, with most cocktails in the mid-range for central Aarhus. Despite the focus on mixed drinks, beer lovers are not forgotten. You can order familiar Danish lagers as well as selected specialty brews, plus wine, bubbles and a solid line-up of rum, whisky and cognac. On selected evenings a tapas menu pairs generous boards of cheeses, cured meats and Mediterranean-style accompaniments with free-flowing beer and wine, turning the cellar into a laid-back, rustic dining room.

Stand-Up Comedy Under Historic Arches

On weeknights the arched rooms double as one of Aarhus’ most distinctive comedy spaces. Alberts hosts free open-mic stand-up sessions, usually Sunday through Thursday, where emerging comedians test new material and occasional established names drop by. Sunday is often reserved for English-language sets, making it accessible for international visitors. The room’s compact size means there is no real divide between stage and audience. You sit close to the action, within sight of every raised eyebrow and improvised aside, drink in hand. The historic surroundings add a playful contrast to the modern punchlines, creating an experience that feels informal and welcoming rather than polished and formal.

Atmosphere, Seating and Seasonal Outdoor Life

Inside, the mood is cosy and low-lit, with intimate tables tucked between pillars and along curved walls. It is a place that suits both small groups and couples, though the cellar can feel lively and full when stand-up or weekend evenings are in full swing. Music levels are generally sociable rather than overwhelming, so you can still talk over a drink. In summer, Alberts extends out onto Store Torv with café tables on the square between the bar entrance and Aarhus Cathedral. Here you can enjoy a beer, spritz or simple mixed drink in the open air, watching cyclists, shoppers and churchgoers cross the square while the cathedral tower rises above you.

Planning an Evening at Alberts

Alberts usually opens in the early evening on weekdays and from midday on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, serving as a relaxed daytime bar before shifting towards cocktails and late-night drinks. Free comedy typically occupies the early part of weeknights, while Friday and Saturday are dedicated to cocktails and conversation. The combination of historic setting, fair pricing and central location means it can fill quickly, especially during events. For larger groups or tapas evenings, reserving a table is sensible. Whether you drop in for a single drink, settle in for a full comedy night, or use it as the starting point for a night out in Aarhus, Alberts offers a memorable glimpse of the city’s past wrapped around its contemporary nightlife.

Busiest months of the year

Busiest hours of the day

Popular Experiences near Alberts - Cocktailbar i Aarhus

Popular Hotels near Alberts - Cocktailbar i Aarhus

Select Currency