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Best Nightlife in Reykjavik (2026)

Reykjavik's nightlife is concentrated in a few central streets, above all Laugavegur, Bankastræti and the streets around them, so it is easy to move between bars on foot. Nights start late: bars are often quiet until around 22:00 and busiest after midnight at weekends, when many stay open until three or later. Kaldi Bar pours Icelandic craft beer with a daily happy hour, Lebowski Bar next door offers White Russians and burgers, and Kaffibarinn, open since 1993, has DJs every night. Prikið, a café since 1951, turns into a hip-hop bar after dark.

Kíkí Queer Bar, above 22 Bar on Laugavegur, hosts karaoke, drag and dance nights, and Petersen svítan in the old Gamla Bíó cinema has rooftop terraces with views over the centre. Drinks are expensive because of high alcohol taxes, so many people time their first rounds with a happy hour. Age limits at the door are usually 20 or higher, so carry photo ID. In summer the midnight sun makes it feel early even in the small hours, while in winter dress warmly for queues and the walk home. Weekday nights are much quieter, which suits travellers who prefer conversation to crowds.

6 places · Updated October 27, 2026

Our top 3 nightlife in Reykjavik

  1. Kaldi Bar Icelandic craft beer bar, LaugavegurLaugavegur beer bar pouring the Icelandic Kaldi house beers alongside 12 taps, with a daily happy hour, a big gin list and an award-winning atmosphere.
  2. Kaffibarinn Café-bar with nightly DJs, Bergstaðastræti / MiðborgLandmark café by day and bar by night just off Laugavegur, open since 1993, with DJs every night, no cover charge and a role in the film 101 Reykjavík.
  3. Prikið Historic café and hip-hop bar, Bankastræti / MiðborgReykjavik's oldest café, open daily on Bankastræti since 1951, serving as a café by day and a hip-hop bar supporting young underground music by night.

Bar

1. Kaldi Bar

Icelandic craft beer bar$$Laugavegur

Laugavegur beer bar pouring the Icelandic Kaldi house beers alongside 12 taps, with a daily happy hour, a big gin list and an award-winning atmosphere.

View details — Kaldi Bar

Bar

2. Kaffibarinn

Café-bar with nightly DJs$$Bergstaðastræti / Miðborg

Landmark café by day and bar by night just off Laugavegur, open since 1993, with DJs every night, no cover charge and a role in the film 101 Reykjavík.

View details — Kaffibarinn

Bar

3. Prikið

Historic café and hip-hop bar$$Bankastræti / Miðborg

Reykjavik's oldest café, open daily on Bankastræti since 1951, serving as a café by day and a hip-hop bar supporting young underground music by night.

View details — Prikið

Bar

4. Lebowski Bar

Themed bar and diner$$Laugavegur

Big Lebowski-themed bar and diner on Laugavegur, open since 2012, known for its many White Russians, Icelandic beef burgers, live music midweek and DJs at weekends.

View details — Lebowski Bar

Bar

5. Kíkí Queer Bar

Queer bar and dance club$$Laugavegur / Klapparstígur

Reykjavik's queer bar and dance club on the upper floors of a rainbow-painted 1905 timber house on Laugavegur, with karaoke on Thursdays and drag and dancing at weekends.

View details — Kíkí Queer Bar

Bar

6. Petersen svítan

Rooftop terrace bar$$$Ingólfsstræti / Miðborg

Rooftop bar and terraces on the third floor of Gamla Bíó, a historic 1926 cinema building on Ingólfsstræti, with views over the rooftops of central Reykjavik.

View details — Petersen svítan