Reykjavik Bar Basics Before You Go

Iceland's legal drinking age is 20, and door staff may check ID. Alcohol is expensive because it is heavily taxed, so happy hour matters more here than in many city breaks. Beer often runs around ISK 1,200 to ISK 1,500, while cocktails commonly reach ISK 2,500 or more. Early evening deals can cut drink costs, especially in the 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM window. Many locals also start with drinks at home before joining the downtown scene later.

11 Best Bars in Reykjavik for Every Kind of Night Out

Use this list by mood, not by strict ranking. Reykjavik nights move fast once downtown fills, and the local runtur style means many people visit 3 to 5 venues in one night. Laugavegur works well for first-timers because many bars sit on or near the main strip. Hverfisgata suits a more local or underground-feeling night. For the wider scene beyond bars, start with the Reykjavik nightlife guide.

• Apotek
  • Apotek is a strong first stop when you want cocktails before the late-night crowd arrives. The bar uses a pharmacy theme, and the brief highlights the Dillagin cocktail as its signature order.
  • Choose this for a polished start rather than a rowdy finish. It fits best before dinner or during the early part of a Laugavegur-area crawl.
• Slippbarinn
  • Slippbarinn is the choice when you want a cocktail-focused bar with a deeper drinks identity. The brief describes it as the birthplace of Reykjavik's cocktail scene, so it belongs near the start of a serious cocktail route.
  • Treat it as a sit-down drink stop rather than a quick shot-and-move venue. Check current hours before going, because hotel and restaurant bar schedules can shift.
• Tipsy Bar & Lounge
  • Tipsy Bar & Lounge works for a 1950s-style cocktail setting with more dressed-up energy. Competitor evidence lists it at Hafnarstraeti 1-3 and says it opens at 4:00 PM daily.
  • This is useful when you want a cocktail before the main downtown rush. It also helps if your group wants a calmer room before moving toward louder bars.
• Skuli Craft Bar
  • Skuli Craft Bar is the craft beer pick for independent Icelandic brews. The brief places it around Ingolfstorg Square, which makes it easy to combine with nearby late-night food later.
  • Beer drinkers should make this an early or mid-evening stop. Reykjavik beer prices add up, so compare the board and use happy hour tools before ordering rounds.
• Bastard Brew & Food
  • Bastard Brew & Food suits groups that want beer, cocktails, food, and a more casual table setup. Competitor evidence lists Vegamotastig 4 and notes a weekend bottomless brunch at ISK 6,490.
  • Cocktail examples in the brief include Bastard Sour, Paloma, mai tai, and Grapefruit Cooler. Several competitor prices sit around ISK 2,000 to ISK 2,500 for cocktails, so this is not a cheap stop.
• Lemmy Bar & Live Music Venue
  • Lemmy is the rock-themed choice, with competitor evidence noting more than 50 tap beers. It sits at Austurstraeti 20 and mixes beer, comfort food, arcade games, DJs, and live music.
  • Pick Lemmy when your group is split between drinks and entertainment. For a deeper music-led plan, use the live music venues guide before choosing your night.
• Kaffibarinn
  • Kaffibarinn is the classic Reykjavik pivot from cafe to late-night dance bar. Competitor evidence says it opened in 1993 and lists Bergstadastraeti 1 as its address.
  • Happy hour draft beer starts at ISK 1,050 in the competitor brief, and bar snacks start at ISK 750. DJs play Friday and Saturday, and photography inside is listed as not permitted.
• Prikid Kaffihus
  • Prikid is a cafe by day and a late-night pub by night. Competitor evidence says it was founded in 1951 and lists Bankastraeti 12 as its address.
  • The music leans toward hip-hop, depending on the DJ. Arrive earlier for a quieter drink, because the brief says it gets rowdy past midnight.
• Lebowski Bar
  • Lebowski Bar is the themed dive-style stop for movie references, beer, and White Russian energy. Competitor evidence places it at Laugavegur 20a, close to other downtown bars.
  • Choose it when your group wants an easy, social stop rather than a specialist cocktail room. It works well between craft beer and a later dance venue.
• Dillon Whiskey Bar
  • Dillon Whiskey Bar is the whiskey and rock option on Laugavegur. Competitor evidence says it has operated since 1999 and has more than 170 whiskey labels.
  • Happy hour is listed from 12:00 PM to 7:00 PM daily. The same source describes three floors, including an attic concert venue with Thursday blues nights and weekend live bands.
• Pablo Discobar
  • Pablo Discobar is the late-night cocktail and dancing pick with Latin and disco styling. Competitor evidence lists Veltusund 1 and notes a Thursday opening time of 5:00 PM.
  • The brief mentions the Puff the Magic Dragon cocktail and pricier cocktails by Reykjavik standards. Competitor evidence also says the venue may enforce a minimum age of 25, so check before committing your group.

How To Build a Reykjavik Bar Crawl

Keep the route compact. Start with Apotek, Slippbarinn, Tipsy, or Skuli before 9:00 PM if value and seats matter. Move toward Laugavegur or Austurstraeti between 9:00 PM and midnight. Save Kaffibarinn, Prikid, Paloma, or Pablo for the late pivot. A 3 to 5 stop night matches the local runtur pattern without wasting time in taxis. If dancing is the main goal, compare this list with the 8 Best Clubs in Reykjavik for Dancing, DJs, and Late Nights.

• Cocktail-first route
  • Start at Apotek or Slippbarinn, then add Tipsy before the room gets louder. Finish at Pablo if the group wants dancing with cocktails.
• Beer-and-rock route
  • Start at Skuli for craft beer, then move to Lemmy for taps and music. Add Dillon if whiskey or live rock fits the night.
• Late-party route
  • Begin with Lebowski or Bastard while the city warms up. Pivot after midnight to Kaffibarinn or Prikid when locals arrive downtown.

Budget Tips for Reykjavik Bars

Plan around happy hour instead of treating it as a bonus. The brief points to Appy Hour as a useful tool, and early windows often matter most between 4:00 PM and 7:00 PM. Duty-free alcohol can also reduce the cost of pre-drinks before you enter downtown bars. Once inside, avoid buying large rounds without checking prices. Cocktails around ISK 2,500 can turn a casual night into an expensive one quickly. Beer near ISK 1,200 to ISK 1,500 is still costly, but it is often easier to manage than multiple mixed drinks.

Dress Code, Safety, and Getting Home

Most Reykjavik bars are relaxed, but late-night venues still expect you to look put together. Smart casual is safer than hiking layers if you plan to face a bouncer after midnight. Boots and a parka make sense outside, yet your base outfit should work indoors. For more detail, read the Reykjavik dress code guide. Reykjavik's central nightlife area is compact, so walking between bars is normal. Late at night, use the central taxi queue at Laekjartorg rather than trying to improvise after closing time. For food, the brief points to Baejarins Beztu Pylsur and Mandi as standard end-of-night choices.

• Carry ID
  • The drinking age is 20, and ID checks are common. Do not assume 18 is enough because it is legal elsewhere in Europe.
• Pick a final area early
  • Decide whether your final stop is Laugavegur, Austurstraeti, or a nearby side street. That keeps the end of the night simpler when bars empty.
• Use late food as a reset
  • Mandi is listed as open until 6:00 AM on Fridays and Saturdays in competitor evidence. Hlollabatar is listed until 5:30 AM on those nights.

Where This Bar Guide Fits in Reykjavik Nightlife

This guide is focused on bars, drinks, and bar-crawl decisions. Use the downtown nightlife guide when you need a street-by-street plan. For queer venues, drag, and rainbow-building stops, use the gay nightlife guide. If your group includes non-drinkers, build the evening around late cafes, live music, food, and short walks between venues. The broader things to do at night guide can help with plans beyond alcohol.

Non-Drinking and Low-Alcohol Stops After Dark

You do not need to build every Reykjavik night around alcohol. Babalú on Skólavörðustígur is a useful café-style stop near Hallgrímskirkja when part of your group wants coffee, cake, or a slower conversation before heading downtown. It works especially well early in the evening, when the bar scene is still quiet.

For bar-based plans, ask for mocktails or alcohol-free beer rather than assuming the menu lists them. Cocktail-focused venues such as Apotek, Slippbarinn, and Tipsy are the most natural places to request a non-alcoholic mixed drink. Availability can change with the menu, so confirm before choosing the stop.

• Use a café stop to meet before happy hour begins.
• Choose live music, late food, or a short downtown walk between drinking venues.
• Keep the final meeting point clear if some guests leave before the late-night dance bars.

This approach lets non-drinkers join the runtur without paying Reykjavik cocktail prices or spending the whole evening in loud rooms.