Your Trip to Iceland: The Complete Guide SEE FULL GUIDE prev next Craft Beer in Iceland Best Time to Visit Weather & Climate Top Places to Visit in Iceland Keflavik International Airport Guide Best Hotels in Reykjavik Driving in Iceland Tipping in Iceland Staying Safe in Iceland Helpful Words and Phrases Best Tours in Iceland Top Northern Lights Tours Seven-Day Iceland Itinerary 48 Hours in Reykjavik Day Trips From Reykjavik Top Things to Do in Iceland Best Beaches in Iceland Hiking in Iceland How to See the Northern Lights Best Icelandic Hot Springs Skiing in Iceland Top Things to Do in Reykjavik Free Things to Do in Reykjavik Reykjavik's Best Museums Shopping in Reykjavik Guide to the Blue Lagoon Food to Try in Iceland Best Restaurants in Reykjavik Top Reykjavik Bars Your Trip to Iceland: The Complete Guide close Overview Europe Iceland The Best Bars in Reykjavik From White Russians to locally made wine By Erika Owen Erika Owen Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Twitter Erika Owen is a self-proclaimed Professional Iceland Enthusiast, covering everything from boutique hotels to ATV tours. She's also a product reviewer who's tested out everything from airplane pillows to travel adapters for TripSavvy. TripSavvy's editorial guidelines Published on 01/29/19 The drinks may be expensive in Reykjavik, but the bar culture is something to be experienced. And plus, there are plenty of happy hours around the city that make heading out well worth it and a little easier on the wallet. Despite Reykjavik’s relatively remote location, bartenders, brewers, and mixologists are coming up with creative cocktails and brews that would rival those of any big city around the world. And Iceland's bar culture is still growing: a decade ago you would have been hard-pressed to find a wine bar with more than a handful of options or a cocktail or liquor you've never heard of before (aside from Brennivin, of course). Today, take a stroll down the street during happy hour — generally sometime between the hours of 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. — and you'll find more bar options that you could possibly visit in a day. In a matter of hours, you could have an inventive Brennivin cocktail, a White Russian topped with cereal, and a glass of Iceland's only local wine. Whether you’re looking for a late night of dancing to late-'90s hip-hop or a White Russian straight out of "The Big Lebowski," Reykjavik does not disappoint. 01 of 10 Best Bar for Beer Nerds: Skúli Craft Bar Skúli - Craft Bar View Map Address Aðalstræti 9, 101, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland Get directions Phone +354 519 6455 Web Visit website The first thing you should know about Skúli is that they have a daily happy hour from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., which is notable when you’re looking to taste some of the best (and most expensive) beers in the country. They have 14 beers on tap, which more often than not are all made by Icelandic brewers. If draft beer isn’t necessarily your thing, you can opt to choose from the menu of more than 100 different canned varieties. 02 of 10 Best Gay Bar: Kiki Queer Bar Kiki Queer Bar View Map Address Laugavegur 22, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland Get directions Web Visit website If you’re looking to dance until you can’t feel your feet while making a few friends along the way, head to Kiki Queer Bar. Located on one of the busiest streets in downtown Reykjavik, it’s central location makes it perfect for grabbing a post-bar snack. Expect a steady stream of pop hits on any given night, which a few throwback favorites for good measure. 03 of 10 Best Bar for Cocktails: Snaps Bistro Snaps Bistro View Map Address Þórsgata 1, Þórsgata 1, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland Get directions Phone +354 511 6677 Web Visit website Gin and tonics are the thing to order at Snaps, where an entire separate menu is dedicated to doing this mixed drink right. If G&Ts aren’t what you would usually order, Snaps makes a mean classic cocktail (think: Tom Collins and Kir Royal). 04 of 10 Best Bar for Meeting Locals: Prikid Prikið View Map Address Bankastræti 12, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland Get directions Phone +354 551 2866 Web Visit website If you’re a fan of hip-hop, especially Icelandic hip-hop, Prikid is the place to be at night. During the day, you’ll catch a crew of regulars taking advantage of the cheap burger special and at night, you’ll find it full of locals playing — and sometimes performing — their favorite lyrics. Plus, it’s also one of the oldest bars in the city, which is enough of a reason to visit on its own. Continue to 5 of 10 below. 05 of 10 Best Bar for Live Music: Húrra Húrra View Map Address Hverfisgata 18a, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland Get directions Phone +354 571 7101 Web Visit website Located in the older section of town near the harbor, Húrra has the perfect ratio for live acts: a long, easily accessible bar and tons of space for dancing by the stage. You can catch both local and international acts at this venue. This is one of those special, chameleon-like places with an ambiance that changes depending on the act of the night. 06 of 10 Best Theme Bar: Lebowski Bar Lebowski Bar View Map Address Laugavegur 20a, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland Get directions Phone +354 552 2300 Web Visit website This is exactly what it sounds like: a bar based off of the cult classic film "The Big Lebowski." The interior of Lebowski Bar is decked out in decor you would just as likely spot in a bowling alley or a diner. It all makes total sense, given that the bar is split up into four different themes: 1960s lounge, a porch straight from the Southern United States, a bowling alley, and a '50s style diner. Oh, and it has an entire menu dedicated to White Russians. 07 of 10 Best Bar for Fun-Loving Bartenders: Kaffibarinn John Bridges/Flickr/CC BY-NC 2.0 View Map Address 101 Reykjavík, Iceland Get directions Phone +354 888 1193 Web Visit website During the day, you’d never expect that the quiet, sandwich-selling cafe would turn into a packed nightlife hotspot complete with some of the friendliest bartenders you’ll ever meet. Kaffibarinn offers all of the expected drinks — beer, mixed drinks, house wine — and is known as one of the best places in the city to catch a DJ set. 08 of 10 Best Bar for Meeting Fellow Travelers: Kex Kex Hostel View Map Address Skúlagata 28, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland Get directions Phone +354 561 6060 Web Visit website Kex is a hostel located by the harbor walk with a bar even a few locals would call their favorite. The hostel, which was once a biscuit factory, offers shared and private rooms, bringing in travelers from all around the world. The bar serves fantastic food alongside local beers and mixed drinks. The long wooden tables make it an easy place to meet a new friend or two. Continue to 9 of 10 below. 09 of 10 Best Bar for for Fancy Happy Hour: Rok View Map Address Frakkastígur 26a, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland Get directions Phone +354 544 4443 Web Visit website Rok is first and foremost a restaurant — and a very, very good one at that — but its champagne happy hour cannot be left off the list. If you’re looking to treat yourself to an unforgettable meal with an uncommon twist on champagne (it’s served with liquorice and cantaloupe), this is the place to visit. After spending a few minutes in the cozy restaurant and you won’t want to leave. 10 of 10 Best Wine Bar: Port 9 Port 9 View Map Address Veghúsarstígur 9, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland Get directions Phone +354 832 2929 Web Visit website If you’re looking for options, head to Port 9. Whereas most bars and restaurants offer a few options of house wines, Port 9 covers everything from bubbles to grenache. Ask for the full wine list for a true look at their offerings and if you’re celebrating something special, check out the fine wine list. It presents itself in a handwritten, gold-leaf booklet, which is a sight to be seen. The 9 Best Craft Beer Spots in Iceland Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Share Pin Email Tell us why! Submit Share Pin Email