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Reykjavík

Bar entertainment in Reykjavík

  1. A

    Kaffibarinn

    This old house, with the London Underground symbol over the door, contains one of Reykjavík’s coolest bars; it even had a starring role in cult movie 101 Reykjavík (2000). At weekends you’ll need a famous face or a battering ram to get in. At other times it’s a place for artistic types to chill with their Macs.

    reviewed

  2. B

    Thorvaldsen Bar

    This understated modernist bar is ultraposh, from the fusion-style food to the clientele. There are DJs from Thursday to Saturday – dress up well or you won’t get in, and after midnight be prepared to queue…and queue. There’s a tiny dance floor, and ‘theme nights’ on Asia de Cuba Wednesday and Mojito Thursday.

    reviewed

  3. C

    Dillon

    Beer, beards and the odd flying bottle…atmospheric Dillon is a RRRRROCK pub, drawing lively crowds. There are frequent concerts on its tiny corner stage, a great beer garden, and an unusual DJ, the white-haired white-wine-and-rum-swilling ‘rokkmamman’ Andrea Jons, a kind of female Icelandic John Peel.

    reviewed

  4. D

    Sirkus

    Our personal favourite, this kooky bar has dinky fairy lights, bus seats in the attic, an annual Tom Selleck Moustache Competition, and a loyal local following. DJs and bands play regularly, and there's a summer garden where you can snatch gulps of fresh air.

    reviewed

  5. E

    Kaffi Brennslan

    All kinds of folk frequent Brennslan, an unpretentious Art Deco café-bar - conventional types mix with the avant-garde. It entices a 20s and 30s crowd with beers from 20 countries, but it never gets so packed that you can't move.

    reviewed

  6. F

    Café Oliver

    One of Reykjavík’s newer cafe-bars, Oliver is the most in-vogue place for brunch, and for partying late in superstyle. DJs pump out the tunes on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, with long queues snaking back from the doors.

    reviewed

  7. G

    Ölstofan

    Locals come to this no-nonsense bar specifically to avoid all that dancing rubbish, and the music is kept at a level where you can hear your neighbour speaking. Turn up, drink beer, chat, relax.

    reviewed