Words by

The Reykjavík Grapevine

Photo by

Gitte Van der Meersch

Joana Fontinha

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 Sports Bar

Just Wingin’ It

Snorrabraut 56

Described as a “great selection of sports, including American stuff, and the correct English football match,” by our rugged panel of sports enthusiasts, Wingin’ It was also cited as having, of course, excellent bar food. The wings are good, and the beer is cheap. Our panel also notes that this previous winner of best sports bar also is known for “lively discussion” during games.