Nightlife · Reykjavík · Iceland
Reykjavík nightlife
Where the evenings happen in Reykjavík, from early drinks to late nights.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: (WT-en) Meltwaterfalls at English Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 1.0
Quick answer
Reykjavík's nightlife is concentrated on a few streets downtown, where small bars, live-music venues and clubs pack together. Weekends start late and run into the early hours, often as a bar crawl known as the runtur. The main areas are Laugavegur and Bankastræti, Austurstræti and Ingólfstorg and Grandi.
Key facts
- Nightlife areas
- 3
- Stay near the action
- Downtown (101 Reykjavík)
- Local drink
- Brennivín
Where to go out
Laugavegur and Bankastræti
The main strip of bars, cocktail spots and late-night venues, busiest from late evening on Friday and Saturday.
Austurstræti and Ingólfstorg
Larger bars and clubs around the central square, popular with a younger crowd.
Grandi
Brewpubs, a distillery bar and food-hall drinks in the harbour district, quieter and earlier.
Nightlife tips
- Use happy hours, listed in free apps and on bar boards, to keep costs down.
- Locals often go out after midnight; arrive early for a seat or late for the atmosphere.
- Iceland Airwaves in November and summer festivals pack the bars with live music.
Evening sights
Architecture · Old Harbour
Harpa Concert Hall
Climb to the upper foyers for framed views of the harbour and Mount Esja, then come back after dark to see the facade lit up.
- Time needed
- 30–60 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- Rainy day
- After dark
- Photo spot
Street · Downtown (101 Reykjavík)
Laugavegur and Skólavörðustígur
Many bars on Laugavegur have happy hours in the late afternoon, the best-value time for a drink in Reykjavík.
- Time needed
- 1–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Shopping
- Food
- After dark
Experience · Kópavogur
Sky Lagoon
Book an evening slot in winter for a chance of northern lights from the water on clear nights.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Expensive
- Couples
- Views
- After dark
Nature · Seltjarnarnes
Grótta lighthouse and Seltjarnarnes
Check the tide table before crossing the causeway, and note that the island is usually closed to walkers during the spring nesting season.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Nature
- After dark
- Off the beaten path
- Views
Experience · Outside the city
Northern lights tour
Check the Icelandic Met Office aurora and cloud forecast, and book early in your trip so a rebooking is still possible.
- Time needed
- 3–5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- After dark
- Nature
- Couples
- Iconic
What to drink
- Brennivín — Iceland's caraway-flavoured schnapps, nicknamed 'Black Death', traditionally drunk ice-cold with hákarl. Alcohol is expensive and sold to take away only at the state-run Vínbúðin shops.
Evenings through the year
Sunset and the overnight low decide how long the outdoor part of a night lasts. July has the warmest evenings, with lows around 9°C (48°F).
| Month | Sunset (15th) | Overnight low | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | About 16:19 | -2°C (28°F) | 15 |
| April | About 21:00 | 1°C (34°F) | 12 |
| July | About 23:26 | 9°C (48°F) | 10 |
| October | About 18:09 | 3°C (37°F) | 14 |
Getting home late
- Walking — In winter, wear shoes with good grip or slip-on spikes; pavements in the centre are partly heated but side streets can be icy.
- Bus — Buy tickets in the Klappið app or pay contactless where available; drivers do not give change.
- Taxi — Taxis are metered and reliable but expensive; ride-hailing options are limited compared with other European capitals.
Late-night bites
- Icelandic hot dog — Hot-dog stands such as the long-running Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur near the harbour, and petrol stations across the country.
- Dried fish — Supermarkets, petrol stations and Kolaportið flea market.
- Fermented shark — Small tasting portions at Kolaportið flea market and some traditional restaurants, and at Þorrablót feasts in January and February.
- Liquorice sweets — Supermarkets, petrol stations and souvenir shops; the most popular brands are on every checkout counter.
Staying safe at night
Crime levels are low; the real risks are weather and nature. Check road conditions and weather warnings daily, respect barriers at waterfalls and geothermal areas, stay far from the waterline at black-sand beaches, and never walk on glaciers without a guide.
- Emergency number
- 112 (emergency number in Iceland)
Where to stay for nightlife
$$$$ · Best for first-timers, nightlife, food lovers and shopping
Downtown (101 Reykjavík)
The 101 postcode covers the compact old centre between the harbour and the Tjörnin pond, including Laugavegur, Austurstræti and Ingólfstorg square. Nearly every restaurant, bar and design shop in the city is here, and most day-tour buses pick up from numbered bus stops around it. It is the easiest base for a short stay without a car.
- Good
- Walk to almost everything; Tour pick-up points nearby; Lively in the evenings
- Watch out
- Highest hotel prices; Weekend bar noise on Laugavegur
- Nearby
- Laugavegur, Tjörnin, Harpa, Old Harbour
Questions travellers ask
+Where is the best nightlife in Reykjavík?
Laugavegur and Bankastræti, Austurstræti and Ingólfstorg and Grandi. The main strip of bars, cocktail spots and late-night venues, busiest from late evening on Friday and Saturday.
+Which area of Reykjavík is best for nightlife?
Downtown (101 Reykjavík): Laugavegur shops, small bars and colourful corrugated-iron houses around the Tjörnin pond.