The Norse god Óðinn obtained the mead of the poetry from the giants and shared it with those seeking divine connection. Sounds familiar, right? We’ve all had those kinds of nights here in Reykjavík. Now, you can too. Whether it’s cocktails, a wine bar, a date spot, or a happy hour beer, we have filtered the seemingly unlimited options here to give you the best chances of building that time-honoured experience that fermentation allows.
Our extremely mortal panel of drinkers has inspected the local bars and watering holes and given their honest, exuberant opinions on the best bars in Reykjavik. All factors were considered, from atmosphere and interior design to bathroom availability and customer satisfaction.
If you’re seeking wisdom, camaraderie, or just want to get your drink on, these are the establishments our panel recommends.
Best Newcomer
Osteria Bari
Hafnarstræti 9
Tucked away on Hafnarstræti on the once sacred ground that hosted Nonnabiti, Osteria is a quaint, and dare we say sophisticated new bar where you can get small dishes with wine pairings. The bar is enough out of the way to avoid the din of Reykjavík partygoers. Every design and staffing choice so far has proven ideal. It seems likely that this bar will make it into the best date night category in coming years.
Runner Up:
Stúkan
Hverfisgata 40
Photo by Art Bicnick.
Our two winners for best newcomer come at bar culture from entirely different angles. The sports bar Stúkan boasts pool tables, darts and a good number of TV screens. This is a more restrained sports bar, though, as the decor is tasteful, and the noise is not overpowering. A good place if you genuinely want a game of pool and a decent pint over a conversation.
Previous Winners:
New category
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