Get Your Drink On - Reykjavik, Iceland

You wanna party like it’s your birthday? Sip Bacardi like it’s your birthday? Well, the operative word here is sip, because you’re going to want to drink your drinks slowwwwwwwwly. Seeing that my drink of preference is gin and tonic, I’ve kept a running list of cross-continental comparative prices.

College dive bar in Middletown, CT “The Gatekeeper”, $3.50
Hard packed dirt floor disco in Easter Island, “Piditi”, $4.25
Elitist yuppy bar in St.Andrews, Scotland, “The Westport”, $6.00
Americana madness, Hong Kong, “Hard Rock Cafe”, $7.00

Anyway, let’s cut to the chase(r) and just say that a gin and tonic in Iceland is normally priced at $16.00, and that is not a joke, and as far as I know, the tonic is not made of holy water.

For beer drinkers, I recall distinctly, a pint of beer (after early bird specials were over…so I’m talking midnight and after) at its cheapest was 500kr (8 bucks), and at its most ridiculous, 1200kr (18 bucks)!!!!

Friday and Saturday nights in Reykjavik are rockin. It’s a small city, but it turns into a zoo. When we called it quits at 6AM, the sun was shining brilliantly over the harbor. Shining, as at had been for the last 3 hours! All the clubs/bars have heavy curtains to keep the places somewhat dark and atmospheric, but there’s no fooling. As soon as you step outside, even in the middle of the night, it’s still light out.

The bars don’t have covers, so there is a lot of in-and-out action between spots. Cars cruise slowly down Laugavegur checking everyone out….everyone is checking everyone out. But not in a sleazy way– these are some of the least sleazy people I’ve ever met. Since the main drag is where almost all the bars are, if you hit up a few places, people start looking very familiar, even after only one night out. Expect folks to come say hi, and start conversations. Mind you, everyone is absolutely thrashed.

Given the exorbitant alcohol prices, I’d recommend getting right hammered at home (the hostel). Bring a flask of whatever you prefer from your home country, so you don’t have to hit the town thirsty. Grocery stores sell cheap beer but locals scoff at its 2.5% alcohol content and insist that such a beverage is worthless, and should not ruin beer’s good name. Another cheap-ish option is a liquor store called Rikid, a bit further down the street from the good restaurant Cafe Paris (Austurstraeti 14). Unless your wallet can withstand a severe lambasting, opt for the pre-game alternatives, or you could always try chatting up a few friendly Icelanders wanting to demonstrate a little hospitality. So shake what your mama gave ya, and see what it’s worth in drinks.

I had a great Icelandic guy say to me, “Hey, if you don’t like me, it’s okay! I still want to buy you a drink because I am sick of blondes! (I am half-Chinese) I’m getting you the house specialty - absinthe. It’s hammertime!”

Dress to Impress: I think they are more lax for tourists (it’s hard trying to pass for local, especially when clubbing, in hiking boots and polypro shirts) but keep in mind that there is something of a dress code. Jeans and sneakers are frowned upon. Everyone looks pretty sharp. Also: Don’t wear sandals, flipflops, or strappy shoes. There is broken glass everywhere!

Nelly’s: Daily specials on drinks before 11PM. Fun, laid back crowd, unpretentious. Dance floor upstairs, everything from rock n roll to the latest dance tracks. On the corner of Bankastraeti and Thorningholtsstraeti.

NASA: Probably Reykjavik’s hottest night spot, prepare for at least a short queue to get into the club. Located on Austurvollur.

Rex Bar: We were told that this is the favored destination among Icelandic celebs. If Bjork is in town, find her here. Personally, we spotted Sigur Ros at Kaffibarinn. Rex Bar has a cafe/bistro bar upstairs and a “Mafia Room” downstairs. The music is great - a skillful blend of house, funk, jazz, and soul.

Kaffibarinn: For those Sigur Ros fans out there, it’s located on Bergstadastaeti 1..and the place is chock, if not chokingly, full of a hip, confident clientele. But we met Sigur Ros- and they are amazingly humble. So, while these Reykjavik joints are hip as hip gets, the people still seemed remarkably friendly.

Check out Restaurant 22 on Laugavegur 22 and Spotlight on weekend nights for a happening gay scene.

Also, keep in mind that many of the bars double as café bistros during the day. So if you find one you like at night, chances are it might make a great place to have a cup of coffee the next afternoon. For example, Kaffibrennslan, located on Posthusstraeti 9, is not only hoppin at night with a huge selection of international beers, but also houses a great array of English-language magazines for some relaxing café time.

Whatever you do, if you’re going to be in Reykjavik, try to make it on a weekend. Paint the town red, and be prepared to get out-lipsynched to every American rap song!

Questions?
If you want more information about this area you can email the author or check out our Europe Insiders page.

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