Home › Travel Guides › Europe Travel Guide › Iceland › Reykjavik › Reykjavik Nightlife
Image gallery

Blue Lagoon, Reykjavik

© Creative Commons / big-ashb

+000
Reykjavik Local time

Weather in Reykjavik
Mod Sleet
5
°C
Iceland

Reykjavik Nightlife

Over the last decade Reykjavik's nightlife has been hyped up. Reykjavik, however, is a small city and those arriving expecting to find a large-scale 'Ibiza of the North' may be a little disappointed as most of the action takes place in a very small central area. Having said that, the scene on the weekends, especially in summer, is surprisingly raucous for such a small city, as revellers flit between bars on the traditional runtur (pub crawl).

All of Reykjavik's nightlife centres on the main street, Laugavegur, and the roads leading off it. The cafes and bars in Reykjavik tend to have a Jekyll and Hyde character - serving beer and coffee throughout the day, before transforming into buzzing drinking and dancing venues in the evening.

Two excellent free guides to what's going on in the city are Reykjavik This Month and What's On In Reykjavik, both available at the tourist office and leading hotels. Online listings are available at www.reykjavik.com. For more information on life in Reykjavik, check out the excellent, free Grapevine paper (www.grapevine.is).
 

Bars in Reykjavik

Kaffibarinn

Whether or not British pop star Damon Albarn remains a part owner, this boho café is still a meeting place of the city's media set and has a certain cache, as evidenced by the frequent queues to get in. Arty, cosy and often candlelit, it’s the perfect place to meet and talk about the latest electronica bands or your new web project.

Bergstadastraeti 1
Tel: 551 1588.
www.kaffibarinn.is

Vegamot

Actually a two-floor bistro that sits in an enviable spot in the city centre. During the day this is a respectable restaurant that is famed for its fresh fish, but in the evenings, Iceland’s best DJs attract raucous crowds. You can party until 0500 on Fridays and Saturdays.

Vegamotastig 4
Tel: 511 3040.
www.vegamot.is

Clubs in Reykjavik

Café Solon

A smaller alternative to NASA, this is a bar/bistro during the day but turns into a nightclub at the weekend. It draws a respectable roster of DJs, and a relaxed crowd. Like most clubs, it’s not the cheapest, and most people drink at home then arrive late.

Bankastraeti 7A
Tel: 562 3232.
www.solon.is

NASA

This impressive venue, located off Austurvollur, draws the crowds with music from disco to house playing on its three floors, and live bands early in the evening. It’s the city’s main music venue, and any major touring bands are likely to play here.

Thorvaldsenstraeti 2
Tel: 511 1313.
www.nasa.is

Q Bar

The main gay bar/club in Reykjavik. It bills itself as ‘straight friendly’ and it draws a mix of genders, sexual persuasions and ages. The place is stylish and minimalist, and hosts live music as well as Djs.

Ingólfsstræti 3
Tel: 578 2020.
www.qbar.is

Live Music in Reykjavik

Kaffi Rosenberg

This intimate venue is a good bet for all kinds of live music, with all genres of smaller bands playing mainly jazz and blues. It’s mostly locals and local artists.

Klapparstigur 25

Classical Music in Reykjavik

Icelandic National Concert and Conference Centre

Opening in May 2011, this is one of the city's most ambitious projects to date and will be an exciting addition to its cultural landscape. The iconic building, whose unique design is inspired by the country's landscape (it was designed by pre-eminent Scandinavian architects and the internationally acclaimed artist Ólafur Elíasson) will be located by the harbour and offer incredible opportunities for concerts.

Austurbakki 2
www.harpa.is

Salurrin

This well-equipped concert hall is in Kópavogur, and was the first specially designed concert hall in Iceland. It hosts regular recitals and concerts, catering for a wide range of musical styles.

Hamraborg 6
Tel: 570 0400.
www.salurinn.is

Dance in Reykjavik

The Iceland Dance Company

This troupe is based at the Reykjavik City Theatre, and focuses on contemporary work with a regular programme of modern dance pieces by Icelandic and foreign choreographers.

Listabraut 3,
Tel: 588 0900 or 568 8000.
www.id.is

Theatre in Reykjavik

National Theatre

Serious theatre-goers wanting to check out Icelandic drama should head here. The venue dates back over 60 years, and has a 500-seat main hall, with two smaller stages attached. It hosts around ten major productions every year, including new Icelandic works as well as foreign classics.

Hverfisgata 19
Tel: 585 1200 or 551 1200.
www.leikhusid.is

Travel Deals

Recommended Sites:

Protect yourself from malaria
Before you travel, find out if your holiday destination is in a malaria zone.
(An educational initiative organised and funded by GlaxoSmithKline Travel Health. UK/MARK/0173/10 September 2010)
Africa, the way it should be seen
We´re cutting the cost of Africa overland trips by up to a whopping 40%. 25% off many trips departing by 30/6/12.
Travel insurance
For residents of over 150 countries. High levels of medical, evacuation, emergency & most adventure activities covered.