Antikvariatet
Musikk-kafé og bokbar på Bakklandet, grunnlagt i 2009 av franskfødte Carsten Bakke Tourrenc — rundt 300 konserter i året i en rødmalt trebygning fra tidlig 1800-tall ved Nidelva.
History
Antikvariatet is housed in one of Trondheim's oldest wooden buildings from the 1700s, originally a residential house in Bakklandet.
People
Antikvariatet was co-founded in 2009 by Carsten Tourrenc and Geir Grønflaten. Tourrenc was born in Le Mans, France, and moved to Trondheim at age six. He was working as a musician when they started — one half of the duo 2/3 Harakiri Band with Eirik Zahl (both born in 1981). Grønflaten ran the nearby Bybroen Antikvariat bookshop where he organized small concerts and lectures, and is described as a philosopher and book lover. The idea for Antikvariatet arose on a rainy evening in 2009; neither had any experience running a venue.
Antikvariatet is a music cafe and book bar hosting approximately 300 concerts annually on an intimate stage with a capacity of around 60 seated. The program ranges from jazz and folk to rock, communal singing with a house band, Monday quizzes, improvisational theater, literary salons, and French cultural evenings — the latter tied to the owner's French heritage. The venue simultaneously functions as a second-hand bookshop where the books lining the walls are for sale.
Antikvariatet serves homemade food made from local produce, with lunch and dinner service. The book bar features a wide selection of beer types — both local and international — as well as cocktails. The concept is food made from scratch in a cafe format, not a full-scale restaurant.
Architecture
The building at Nedre Bakklandet 4 is a red-painted wooden house in Bakklandet's characteristic timber architecture. The property has documented ownership history back to 1819, when merchant Frederik Bing acquired it. The building survived a fire on September 25, 1933. Bakklandet was first settled in the mid-1600s but burned during a Swedish siege in 1658 and again in 1718 — the existing wooden buildings date from the 18th and 19th centuries.
Location
Antikvariatet is located at Nedre Bakklandet 4, just south of Gamle Bybro (the Old Town Bridge, approximately 50 meters away) which crosses the Nidelva river to the city center. The back of the building faces the river with views toward Gamle Bybro and Nidaros Cathedral. Nedre Bakklandet is the stretch between Gamle Bybro and Bakke bru, lined with cobblestone streets and a continuous row of wooden houses along the riverside.
Practical
Limited seating — arrive early on Fridays and Saturdays. No reservations accepted.
Insider
Known among locals as the best spot for a quiet beer in authentic surroundings. The interior is filled with antiques and curiosities collected over decades.
Opening Hours
- Monday: 3:00 PM – 1:30 AM
- Tuesday: 3:00 PM – 1:30 AM
- Wednesday: 3:00 PM – 1:30 AM
- Thursday: 3:00 PM – 1:30 AM
- Friday: 3:00 PM – 1:30 AM
- Saturday: 12:00 PM – 1:30 AM
- Sunday: 12:00 PM – 1:30 AM
Local Tip
Bokbaren innerst har utsikt mot Gamle Bybro og Nidarosdomen — bøkene på veggene er til salgs. Programmerer alt fra jazz og impro-teater til franske kulturkvelder.
