Must-see nightlife in Iceland

  • Ölstofa Akureyrar

    Akureyri

    The place in town for draught and local beers, this convivial spot has recently partnered with local (and well-loved) brewery Einstök to create a brewer's…

  • French Café

    The Westfjords

    This wonderful small cafe serves delicious cake and coffee or beer and wine (1300kr) on a farm called Kirkjuhvammur, just back from Rauðasandur. At low…

  • Beljandi Brugghús

    East Iceland

    Maybe every tiny town should have a microbrewery. Especially when it's as genial as this one. Opened in 2016, this brewery and bar has free samples of its…

  • Slippbarinn

    Reykjavík

    Jet-setters unite at this buzzy bar at the Old Harbour's Icelandair Hotel Reykjavík Marina. It's bedecked with vintage record players and cool locals…

  • Bryggjan Brugghús

    Reykjavík

    Cavernous, dimly lit and dotted with vintage pub paraphernalia, harbourside Bryggjan Brugghús is a roomy microbrewery where 12 taps dispense its own fresh…

  • Paloma

    Reykjavík

    At one of Reykjavík's best late-night dance clubs DJs lay down reggae, electronica and pop upstairs, and a dark deep house dance scene in the basement…

  • Smiðjan Brugghús

    The South

    Vík's hippest hang-out is warehouse-style with grey walls, windows looking onto the brewing room and blackboards displaying 10 craft beers on tap. Hop…

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    Stúdentakjallarinn

    Reykjavík

    You don't have to be a student to drop by the University of Iceland's on-campus bar. In the dimly-lit, stylish basement you'll find academics of all ages…

  • Edinborg

    Ísafjörður

    There's a mellow feel to Edinborg, where a relaxed bar with a pool table sits side by side with a restaurant serving great burgers and fish. That makes it…

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    Skúli Craft Bar

    Reykjavík

    The big draw here is the 14 craft beers on tap, the majority of which are normally Icelandic. Or you might want to opt for one of the bottled beers –…

  • Klaustur focuses on wine, but there's an ambitious selection of spirits too

    Klaustur

    Reykjavík

    One of Old Reykjavík's most beguiling night-time hideaways, low-key, welcoming Klaustur is primarily a wine bar, but drinks also include a bold selection…

  • Pablo Discobar

    Reykjavík

    In the world's northernmost capital, Pablo Discobar offers an escape from darkness and disappointing weather for the price of a cocktail. Neon-bright and…

  • Akureyri Backpackers

    Akureyri

    Always a hub of convivial main-street activity, the fun timber-clad bar at Akureyri Backpackers is beloved of both travellers and locals for its…

  • Kaffi Lára – El Grilló Bar

    Seyðisfjörður

    When you can't get a table elsewhere in town, there's usually space at this friendly, two-storey cafe-bar offering supremely tasty barbecue dishes and…

  • Loftið

    Reykjavík

    Loftið is all about high-end cocktails and good living. Dress up to join the fray at this airy upstairs lounge, which features a zinc bar, retro tailor…

  • Micro Bar

    Reykjavík

    Boutique brews are the name of the game at this low-key spot in the heart of the action. On tap you'll find 14 creations from the island’s top…

  • Ölvisholt Brugghús

    The South

    Solid range of microbrews from South Iceland, including the eye-catching Lava beer. Tours last 30 to 40 minutes (per person 3000kr) and include details…

  • Götubarinn

    Akureyri

    The locals' favourite drinking spot, fun and central Götubarinn (Street Bar) has a surprising amount of cosiness and charm for a place that closes so late…

  • Frederiksen Ale House

    Reykjavík

    A modest selection of draught beers (happy hour is two-for-one; 4pm to 7pm) meets lots of bottled offerings and a decent pub-food menu, including brunch…

  • Café Haiti

    Reykjavík

    If you’re a coffee aficionado, this tiny cafe in the Old Harbour is the place for you. Owner Elda buys her beans from her home country Haiti and roasts…

  • Grand-Inn Bar

    North Iceland

    Cool mountain-peak graphics and vintage sofas set the scene at this end-of-week bar on Sauðárkrókur's main drag, where local brews are on tap, plus loads…

  • Marshall

    Reykjavík

    The perfect pit stop for art aficionados, Marshall sits in the same building as three cutting-edge galleries. It's appropriately aesthetically appealing:…

  • Galleri Laugarvatn Cafe

    The Golden Circle

    Simple cafe with a nice outdoor terrace, serving good coffee plus hot-spring-baked rye bread with smoked trout or brie. Soup, waffles, cookies and muffins…

  • Sæta Svínið Gastropub

    Reykjavík

    Tuck into meaty and creative pub food while quaffing a litre of the local ale at this three-storey feature of Reykjavík's gastropub scene. Happy hour is…

  • Eimverk Distillery

    Reykjavík

    Distillery producing Flóki, an Icelandic single malt whisky. Distillery visits are by appointment only.

  • Bike Cave

    Reykjavík

    This unusual cafe (dishes 990kr to 3700kr) caters to cyclists, with coffee, beer, wine, a shower, laundry and a workshop for DIY repairs.

  • Kaffihúsið

    East Iceland

    You can’t miss the oversized coffee cup announcing this place, primarily a restaurant-bar (kitchen closes at 9.30pm) and pub hang-out for locals. There’s…

  • Hressó

    Reykjavík

    Up until around 10pm you get a diverse menu at this large, central cafe-bar. After that it looses its civilised veneer and concentrates on drinks and…

  • Skjól Bar

    The Golden Circle

    The only drinking option in the area is at Skjól Campsite, where the friendly on-site bar serves beer and wine. Also a small pizza menu, snacks like…

  • R5

    Akureyri

    An easy-breezy stop for an evening drink, convivial R5 has a mixed bag of decor (tiles, carpeted banquettes, timber tables) and an array of Euro brews,…

  • Café Amour

    Akureyri

    Café Amour lures Akureyri’s bright young things with its lengthy cocktail list and New World wines. The small club upstairs is pretty garish but draws the…

  • Kaffi Selfoss

    The South

    One of the few drinking options in town, this simple bar and cafe has booths and TV screens for watching sporting events. It also serves simple breakfasts…

  • Icelandic Craft Bar

    Reykjavík

    A mellow hang-out with good views onto bustling Lækjargata and local brews including Einstök Arctic Ale on tap. The house beer is always 700kr (in…

  • Paddy's

    Reykjanes Peninsula

    A hole-in-the-wall that can get raucous at weekends and has occasional live music. Some sports are shown during big tournaments.

  • Man Cave

    The South

    In the basement of the Suður-Vík Restaurant, this cosy watering hole pours local beers on tap and limited wines.

  • Ölsmiðjan

    Reykjavík

    An Icelandic dive bar with low beer prices and decent ambience.

  • English Pub

    Reykjavík

    Reliable pub for catching football matches.

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