Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The Hilton's five-star restaurant recently underwent a mod facelift and continues to pack
'em in for New Nordic cuisine and a famous Sunday brunch.
DJAMMIÐ: HOW TO PARTY IN REYKJAVÍK
Reykjavík is renowned for its weekend party scene that goes strong into the wee hours,
and even spills over onto some of the weekdays (especially in summer). Djammiðin the
capital means going out on the town, or you could say pöbbaröltfor a 'pub stroll'. (This
should not be confused with the infamous countryside rúntur,which involves Icelandic
youth driving around their town in one big automotive party.)
Much of Reykjavík's partying happens in cafes and bistros that transform into raucous
beer-soaked bars at the weekend, and at the many dedicated pubs and clubs. But it's not
the quantity of drinking dens that makes Reykjavík's nightlife special - it's the upbeat en-
ergy that pours from them.
Thanks to the high price of alcohol, things generally don't get going until late.
Icelanders brave the melee at the government alcohol store
Vínbúðin
(
www.vinbudin.is
)
,
then toddle home for a prepub party. Once they're merry, people hit town around mid-
night, party until 5am, queue for a hot dog, then topple into bed or the gutter, whichever
is more convenient. Considering the quantity of booze swilling, the scene is pretty good-
natured.
Rather than settling into one venue for the evening, Icelanders like to cruise from bar to
bar, getting progressively louder and less inhibited as the evening goes on. 'In' clubs may
have long queues, but they tend to move quickly with the constant circulation of revellers.
Most of the action is concentrated near Laugavegur and Austurstræti. Places usually
stay open until 1am Sunday to Thursday and 4am or 5am on Friday and Saturday. You'll
pay around Ikr800 to Ikr1200 per pint of beer, and cocktails hit the Ikr1800 to Ikr2600
mark. Some venues have cover charges (around Ikr1000) after midnight, and many have
early-in-the-evening happy hours that cut costs to between Ikr500 or Ikr700 per beer;
download smartphone app Reykjavík Appy Hour.
Things change fast - check Grapevinefor the latest listings. You should dress up to fit
in in Reykjavík, although there are some more relaxed pub-style joints. The legal drinking
age is 20.
Drinking & Nightlife
