PIN Numbers Challenging For Drinkers —Bar Chaos Warning

Until last Monday, consumers could, in many cases, use their debit cards in stores and other venues without entering a pin number. Since January 19, this is no longer the case. Debit and credit cards are widely used in retail in Iceland, even at bars. According to Vísir, owners of clubs and bars in Reykjavík fear that this may cause problems for consumers of alcohol over the coming weekend.

Interviewed by Vísir, Össur Hafþórsson, co-owner of bars Park, Bar 11 and Bar 7, said that the he expects some cinematic occurrences towards Saturday and Sunday mornings, when many customers are no longer in top shape: “I don’t know how it will go. Perhaps people should tattoo the number on their wrist, and the bartender can enter it for them. People often don’t remember where they are, let alone their pin number.”

Össur predicts that the requirement of pin numbers will “slow all service and calm the party down a little.” Other bar owners interviewed concurred with the forecast.