Iceland Going Out
Food and Drink
Things to know: Apart from most hotels, restaurants and bars, alcohol is sold in state liquor stores throughout Iceland and is not available in supermarkets.
National specialities:
• Skyr (a smooth and creamy kind of yoghurt).
• Hangikjot (smoked lamb).
• Harðfiskur (dried fish).
• A delicacy not for the squeamish is hákarl (putrefied shark), usually washed down with a shot of Black Death Schnapps.
• Pylsur (hot dog) is every Icelanders' favourite fast food.
National drinks:
• Brennivin (a potent variation of aquavit made from potatoes).
Legal drinking age: 20.
Tipping: Service charges are included in most bills and extra tips are not expected.
Nightlife
Leading theatres are the National Theatre and the Reykjavík City Theatre. During July and August there is an attractive light entertainment show in English called ‘Light Nights' (www.lightnights.com) with traditional Icelandic stories and folk songs. The Iceland Symphony Orchestra (www.sinfonia.is) gives concerts every week. Iceland also has its own opera company, The Icelandic Opera (www.opera.is), performing in the smallest (400 seats) and northernmost opera house in the world.
Iceland has a vibrant music scene that has produced, amongst others, the internationally acclaimed artists Björk and Sigur Rós.
The new Icelandic National Concert and Conference Centre is currently under construction, scheduled for opening in autumn 2009 in Reykjavík. The iconic building, which was designed by pre-eminent Scandinavian architects and the internationally acclaimed artist Ólafur Elíasson, will be located by the harbour. The centre, which cost US$100 million and will include a state-of-the-art concert hall, will become the new home of the Icelandic Symphony Orchestra when it is completed.
Shopping
Laugavegur is Reykjavík's main shopping street. The shops along Skolavordustigur are good for art lovers. Kringlan is Reykjavík's world-class shopping mall. Bargain hunters should visit the indoor Kolaportid market in Reykjavík, held every weekend, where great buys on handmade Icelandic jumpers, food and toys can be found.
Shopping hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1800; Sat from 1000-1300/1400/1500 or 1600. Most shops close on Sundays, and many shops also close on Saturdays during the summer (Jun-Aug). Some supermarkets are open seven days a week until 2300.
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