There is one thing abundantly clear from our very scientific drinking research, Hverfisgata is one hot little street right now. After getting massive internal road surgery a couple of years ago, it has come out thriving with a great bunch of watering holes from the casual to the swanky. Reykjavík’s bar scene seems to be shifting towards the latter in general, and the formerly beloved dive-bar trend looks like it’s taking a disco nap. Some facts of life remain the same: alcohol is expensive and that doesn’t stop us from partying. Bottoms up, babe.
Best Smoking Area
Boston
Laugavegur 28b
While not without its charm on the inside, where Boston really shines is on its hidden courtyard smoking deck. Perfect for the most avid thirsty inhaler who has no intention of letting a little winter stop them, the area is sheltered, heated and strewn with cosy pillows and blankets to wrap up, plunk down and keep sucking down the cigarettes like Coca-Cola. If you do give up and go in, the place has a kind of cool gothic feel to it and a nice selection of drinks to lubricate your lungs.
Runner-Up:
Kaffibarinn
Bergstaðastræti 1
This infamous smoking area is not heated or cosy, but boy is it fun! If you want to eavesdrop on some drama, make a new single-serving friend, or make fun of people with someone whom you will later sleep with, this is THE place to go. Just don’t let the door hit you on the way out (seriously.)
Runner-Up:
Hressó
Austurstræti 20
Large, spacious, sheltered, seated and heated, the inside-outside smoking area at Hressó (a.k.a. Hressingarskálinn) is a well-known classic in town for those who must smoke with their drinks. It’s decidedly a better place to hang out during the day and early evening, unless you’re really into super mainstream pop fare.
Previous Winners
2017: Hressó
Other Drinking Categories
You can buy a copy of the full Best Of Reykjavík 2018 magazine—an essential guide to having fun in Reykjavík—here, posted worldwide. We also have a Special Offer double-pack that also includes our Best Of Iceland magazine, about places to eat, see, swim, shop and stay, all around the country, here.
Buy subscriptions, t-shirts and more from our shop right here!
