The Completely Unscientific Guide to Reykjavík Bars

So you've arrived in Reykjavík. You've heard about the Icelandic nightlife but just aren’t quite sure where to find it. You may be imagining mysterious locals discussing literature, volcanoes and existential dread over vodka. Or you may be after a meticulously bearded crowd of hipsters and a never-ending source of craft beers you will have never heard of. Whatever your vibe, we’ve got you covered.

And the best news? Almost all of downtown Reykjavík is within walking/stumbling/crawling distance of Refurinn Reykjavik Guesthouse.

Dillon (Where Reykjavíks rock and roll heart still beats)

Walk from Refurinn: About 15 minutes

Dillon is the guy who swore he'd grow out of his rock phase twenty years ago and absolutely never did. And we love him for it. Dillon sits right in the middle of downtown and somehow feels like a small-town pub, a biker bar, a music venue and your friend's garage all at the same time.

The average age tends to be a little older than at places like Prikið or Röntgen. Not old. Just old enough to remember when songs had guitar solos. The atmosphere is welcoming, slightly scruffy and gloriously unpretentious. The walls have stories. The floor has survived a thousand spilled drinks.

This is one of Reykjavík’s most reliable live music venues. You’ll find rock bands, blues bands, folk musicians, singer songwriters, cover bands and popular radio DJs playing to what feels like your neighbor’s out of control house party.

Who Will Love It?

• Music lovers

• Rock fans

• Visitors looking for a genuine pub atmosphere

• People over 35 who occasionally say "they don't make music like they used to"

  
  

Who Might Not?

• People seeking luxury cocktails

• Influencers searching for the perfect Instagram backdrop

• Anyone who describes themselves as a "digital nomad" within the first five minutes of meeting you

  
  

Kaldi Bar/Café

Walk from Refurinn: ~15 minutes

Small. Cozy. Frequently full.

This is where visitors arrive hoping to drink with locals. Sometimes they do. Sometimes they drink with other tourists hoping to drink with locals.

Happy Hour: Daily 4–7 pm.

Best for: A civilized drink before the evening takes an unexpected turn.

Kaffibarinn Bar

Walk from Refurinn: ~15 minutes

If Reykjavík nightlife had a living room, it would be Kaffibarinn.

Before midnight, the crowd is mostly people having conversations over first drinks, first dates, creative types claiming their stake (they knew this place before all of us) and visitors who read about Kaffibarinn in every guidebook to Reykjavík ever written.

After midnight, they are joined by everyone else. The music gets louder. The lights get dimmer. Conversations become more animated. Plans become less sensible.

Unlike some bars that cater to a specific crowd, Kaffibarinn has a remarkable ability to absorb almost anyone. You might find yourself standing between a famous Icelandic musician, a group of German tourists, and a carpenter from Mosfellsbær who somehow knows everyone in the room.

Who Will Love It?

• People who want a genuine Reykjavík night out

• Visitors travelling without a strict itinerary for the next morning

• Anyone who enjoys bars with character

• People who say "just one drink" and don't really mean it

  
  

Who Might Not?

• Anyone seeking a quiet conversation after 11 pm

• People who want table service

• People staying nearby who have a 7 am airport transfer

  
  

Happy Hour: Generally 5–7 pm.

Best for: Anyone wanting to say they experienced a genuine Reykjavík classic.

Skúli Craft bar

Walk from Refurinn: ~5 minutes

If somebody can explain the difference between eight types of IPA without using Google, you'll probably find them here.

Expect:

• Beer enthusiasts

• Beer enthusiasts discussing beer

• Beer enthusiasts discussing other beer

  
  

The atmosphere is friendly, relaxed and refreshingly free of nightclub energy.

Best for: People who care what hops are.

Kokteilbarinn

Walk from Refurinn: ~15 minutes

Tiny. Excellent. Dangerous.

The kind of cocktail bar where every drink arrives looking like it should have its own Instagram account.

Happy Hour: Daily 2–6 pm with discounts on cocktails.

Best for: People who appreciate cocktails containing ingredients they can't pronounce.

The Irishman Pub

Walk from Refurinn: ~15 minutes

Exactly what you'd expect from an Irish pub. Which is precisely why people love it.

Expect:

• Sports on screens

• A very mixed crowd.

• No real dancefloor, but there is often live music.

• A much coveted and heavily booked private karaoke room in the back.

• At least one conversation beginning with "So where are you from?"

Happy Hour: Daily until 7 pm.

Den Danske Kro ( Danska Kráin )

Walk from Refurinn: ~13 minutes

This is an old Reykjavík bar with dedicated local regulars. Think “Norm!”

Live music, singalongs and an atmosphere that goes from quiet after work drinks with friends to crowded, emotional troubadour singalongs after midnight.

Happy Hour: Daily 4–7 pm.

Best for: Making friends with strangers.

Röntgen Bar

Walk from Refurinn: ~10 minutes

You know that feeling when you walk into a bar and immediately suspect everyone is cooler than you? Röntgen feels like the sort of place that would exist if somebody turned an independent film festival into a bar. Imagine a house party hosted by the coolest person you know. Then remove the house. Then add better cocktails.

The atmosphere is social, creative and slightly chaotic in the best possible way. Conversations spill between tables. People know each other. People know people who know each other. If Kaffibarinn is Reykjavík's living room, Röntgen is Reykjavík's cooler friend's kitchen party. And somehow, everyone got invited except the guy wearing the matching Northern Lights hoodie.

Who Will Love It?

• People who enjoy creative, independent, slightly alternative spaces

• Anyone who likes KEX but wishes it were smaller and less obviously touristy

• Visitors who want to feel like they've discovered something

  
  

Who Might Not?

• People looking for sports on TV

• People wanting karaoke

• People who ask for "the house red"

Ölstofan: Reykjavík's Least Pretentious Bar (And Proud Of It)

Walk from Refurinn: About 15 minutes

If Röntgen is where Reykjavík's creative crowd goes to discuss an experimental art installation, Ölstofan is where Reykjavík goes when it wants a beer and absolutely no nonsense. This is not a cocktail bar. Nobody here is infusing gin with Arctic moss. Nobody is discussing natural wine. Nobody is ordering a drink that arrives in a smoked glass dome.

And thank God for that.

Ölstofan has perhaps the most genuinely mixed crowd in Reykjavík. Professors, construction workers, artists, fishermen, lawyers who never wish to discuss work again, students and local regulars with their own stool. The décor can best be described as "collected over several decades without a master plan."

Unlike some Reykjavík bars, nobody seems concerned about appearing cool. Which is exactly what makes it cool. Ölstofan is Reykjavík’s “anti-scene scene”. It’s where the city goes when it gets tired of trying to be interesting and just wants a pint and a chat.

Who Will Love It?

• People who like authentic local pubs

• Visitors who want to escape the tourist trail

• Anyone who enjoys people-watching

• Those who believe bars should primarily be about drinking and talking

  
  

Who Might Not?

• People seeking Instagram content

• Cocktail enthusiasts

• Anybody hoping to dance until 4 am

  
  

Kiki Queer Bar

Walk from Refurinn: About 15 minutes

At some point during a Reykjavík night out, somebody will inevitably say: "Let's just pop into Kiki for one drink." This statement is almost always a lie. Kiki tends to turn one drink into three hours, several new friends, and at least one enthusiastic rendition of a pop song you swore you hated.

Unlike some nightlife venues, Kiki doesn't really have a "cool crowd”, It has a "fun crowd." The atmosphere is joyful, inclusive and just chaotic enough to be memorable. Nobody is standing around trying to look mysterious. Nobody is pretending they're too cool to dance. Unlike many Reykjavík bars where dancing slowly develops over the evening, Kiki gets straight to the point. If your holiday goals include dancing to pop classics with complete strangers, Kiki may be the high point of your trip.

Who Will Love It?

• People who enjoy dancing

• Anyone who likes friendly nightlife

• Eurovision fans

• Groups looking for a guaranteed good time

• Visitors travelling solo

  
  

Who Might Not?

• People seeking a quiet conversation

• Those who believe dancing should only occur at weddings

• Anyone who gets annoyed when strangers are having more fun than they are