The pandemic restrictions certainly shook up the Reykjavík bar scene in 2020, but that doesn’t mean that our favourite drinking institutions didn’t do everything they could to create a safe environment to assuage COVID-19 anxieties. In fact, the past year saw a plethora of new spots opening and old classics keeping the spirit of the city alive. Because let’s be real: Icelanders love to drink. In fact, there is probably nothing Icelanders like doing more than drinking, which could be why this country doesn’t have a space program. But hey—we’ve done pretty well at vaccinations.
Best Date Place
Veghúsastígur 9
Photo by Art Bicnick
“It’s very intimate,” our panel decreed. “If you’re looking for a quiet place to really get to know someone, Port 9 is the most romantic spot.” Cosy and tucked away with a secretive vibe, this wine bar solves the age-old problem in Reykjavík: Where can I go for a date where I won’t be bothered by a ton of people I know who will later inundated me with texts about my new paramour? Ah, détendez vous, mes amis, for sitting at Port 9 feels like you’re away from the rest of the world and there seems to be an unspoken bond of letting each other be. So sit, have a glass and get to flirting. At Port 9, every language is the language of love—even ugly languages like Danish.
Runner-Up:
Hverfisgata 52
Photo by Art Bicnick
Bíó Paradís might not be your first thought for a date, but it was one of the favourites of the panel. “It’s such a friendly environment,” one panellist raved. “Grab a beer with someone early in the night. It’s such a positive place to start the night at.” Whether you catch a movie or not, the cosy environment of Bíó Paradís is a great place to see if you’re compatible with someone and want to continue the night somewhere else—or hey, speed things along and just head home.
Runner-Up:
Grandagarður 25
Photo from Luna Flórens’ Facebook page
Part flower-child, part spiritual and with a whole lot of whimsy thrown into the mix, this cosy and hand-crafted bar is so intimate it makes you wanna spend the day musing about geodes and tarot card readings. If you’re looking to properly get to know a flame—one you’re astrologically compatible with, of course—grab a house cocktail, a slice of vegan cake and explore your lunar cycle
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