Reykjavík Region Nightlife Tips by tvdm Top 5 Page for this destination

Grand Rokk Bars/ Nightclubs Review

One liked by my brother and me, as we found it the best place to get into conversation with some friendly locals here! Grand Rokk has live music, chess, literature and pub quizzes held weekly. If you want to chat and drink beer you should stay downstairs, but if you are looking for exciting and live music then you should go upstairs.

Dress Code: No dress code, just come as you are.

Address: Smiðjustíg 6

Phone: +354 551 5522

Theme: Live Music

Bars/ Nightclubs: Jón Forseti Bars/ Nightclubs Review

Meaning "President Jón", this was the main gay venue in Iceland when we were there and a very happening place during weekends (i.e. Friday and Saturday). However, we found it devoid of any activity on a Sunday night. Best to stick to the Saturday extravaganza and all that it entails!

Dress Code: Anything goes, but obviously the more colourful the better!

Address: Aðalstræti 10

Directions: Just off Austurvollur Square

Theme: People Watching

Q-bar Bars/ Nightclubs Review

The newcomer, for me anyway, Q-bar I very much liked in the evening. It seemed to blend just the right amount of free-spirit and sleek with live folk/rock music and bright Sixties minimalism. It was not rowdy (one could actually here oneself talk!) and the people were very cool and stylish in a comfortable and not-too-posy kind of way.

Dress Code: Do the slack and shirt thing and you will get far, my friend!

Address: Ingólfsstræti 3

Phone: +354 551 9660

Theme: Eating and Drinking

Barinn Bars/ Nightclubs Review

This used to be called bar 22 and was a tad run-down but had a really cool vibe around it. It happily existed for almost two decades and a few reincarnations as gay bar, rock bar, rockabilly bar and plain old dive, but always seemed to attract cool arty locals who went there when other places closed. It has now been re-christened Barinn. The three floors feature pretty funky murals and food is served on the ground floor. The second floor has a small place for boogie-woogie. The clientele has yet to be formed so its cool status is as yet uncertain, but when I was there on a Saturday night it still looked very much a young urban hangout where the artists, gays and rockabillies never really left!

Dress Code: Young urban gear: I saw both suits and trackies + runners in there!

Address: Laugavegur 22

Theme: Nightclub

Bars/ Nightclubs: Rent-a-guide! Bars/ Nightclubs Review

I love this; and it's quite an original one: apparently some Reykjavíkurs are so smitten with their own nightlife, that they fear tourists from other cities will go loco, have no idea what to do with themselves and will barge into all the "out" places for a drink and a laugh! So they set up their own website (see below) where you can hire a professional guide for a night on the town and you'll be whizzed through lines and into the joints that are in vogue. Apparently the formula is so successful that they also started up their service in Copenhagen and Stockholm!

With the risk of sounding blasé: as for someone who lived in Dublin and now Amsterdam (over 1000 drinking establishments in either city, respectively), I wouldn't be too hard-pressed. Just following the crowds usually does the trick. But I guess if you happen to be Bubba Yankeedoodle from West-Nebraska, you might be overwhelmed with the nocturnal delights Reykjavík has to offer and in dire need of guidance...

Theme: Nightclub

Website: http://www.nightlifefriend.is

Celtic Cross Bars/ Nightclubs Review

Located at Hverfisgata, this Irish-themed bar definitely has the Celtic thing going on inside! But although the decor might be more "authentic' than in the Dubliner, the atmosphere isn't really the same.

First of all the place was packed to the rafters when we were there. And, unfortunately, those small nooks and crannies that were very quaint at first became very claustrophobic all of a sudden.

Nonetheless it seems very popular so I might be slightly biased. Don't let my judgment influence you and check it out when you're in dire need for a pint of the Black Stuff!

Address: Hverfisgata 26

Phone: +354 511 3240

Theme: Eating and Drinking

Bars/ Nightclubs: The Dubliner Bars/ Nightclubs Review

Irish-themed bars are usually a dime-a-dozen and from the outside and décor the Dubliner doesn't seem any different. But the craic is great during the weekend and, unlike pubs located in Ireland, this one stays open until after 5am! There's usually live music and a friendly (if slightly enebriated) crowd.

Dress Code: Casual will do, no dressing up to the hilt required.

Address: Hafnarstraeti 4

Directions: In the old town centre, located amidst many pubs and food joints.

Theme: Eating and Drinking

Bars/ Nightclubs: Kaffibarinn Bars/ Nightclubs Review

This bar is featured in all travel guides and was right around the corner from where we were staying. It has a bohemian feel to it, almost as if you've burst into someone's living room.

It's laid back, so much even that if the staff and visitors were more laid back they'd be horizontal! The music was good and the people seemed to really enjoy themselves. It can be a bit cramped but on both occasions we were lucky enough to be seated and it was fab people-watching from then on!

Dress Code: It's all very laissez-faire so you'll see anything from alternative/hippie ranges to LBDs and Armani suits. I'm sure you'll find a niche inbetween!

Address: Bergstadastraeti 1

Theme: Nightclub

Website: http://www.worldsbestbars.com

Bars/ Nightclubs: De Boomkikker Bars/ Nightclubs Review

A Dutch bar in Reykjavík? Better believe it! I was really looking forward to this one, but got disappointed in the end. The people were friendly, but the place has a run-down feel to it and it's a bit of a dive. Compared to many of the other bars, this one isn't that special. Reasonably priced beer on draught, though!

Address: Hafnarstræti 9

Phone: +354 551 6780

Theme: Nightclub

Sirkus Bars/ Nightclubs Review

Very funny little bar off Laugavegur! Don't let the tropical decorations on the outside fool you: it's a normal bar inside.

Small, but the crowd was very friendly and artsy. There's more of an alternative edge to this place than you would encounter in most other joints in Reykjavík. If you like to rub shoulders with musicians, writers, filmmakers (and every second person in Iceland seems to be one of the above), this is a place for you!

Dress Code: Jeans and/or black are a go-go!

Directions: Klapparstígur, between Hverfisgata and Laugavegur

Theme: Eating and Drinking