What to order at Gaukurinn

Signature drink
Cheap beer
Editor tip
A long-running grassroots venue for new bands and drag nights. The crowd mixes locals and visitors.
CuisineCocktail bar
TypeLive music bar
Price$$$
Neighborhood101
HoursSun-Thu 16:00-01:00; Fri-Sat 16:00-03:00
Signature drinkCheap beer
Last verified

Food program: None

Tip: A long-running grassroots venue for new bands and drag nights. The crowd mixes locals and visitors.

Location

Address: Tryggvagata 22, 101 Reykjavik

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Loft Hostel Bar ★ 3.9

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Tail Cocktail Bar ★ 4.0

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Tail is the cocktail bar of the Le Kock complex on Tryggvagata, a moody Reykjavik room near the harbour mixing seasonal drinks beside the food counters.

Signature drink: Seasonal cocktails

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Tip: Shares its building with Le Kock and Deig, so you can eat next door. Cocktails change with the season.

Kaffibarinn ★ 4.3

Cocktail barBar and club$$$101Mon-Thu 15:00-01:00; Fri-Sat 12:00-04:30; Sun 12:00-01:00

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Signature drink: Beer and DJ nights

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Tip: Part-owned over the years by Damon Albarn. Queues form after 23:00 at weekends, so arrive early.

Slippbarinn ★ 4.3

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Slippbarinn on Myrargata was Reykjavik's first cocktail bar, a harbourside room at the Marina hotel mixing inventive drinks with a long daily happy hour.

Signature drink: Cocktail of the Month

Food: Bar food and burgers

Tip: The rotating Cocktail of the Month is the order. Happy hour runs 15:00-18:00 every day by the harbour.

Rontgen ★ 4.3

Cocktail barWine and cocktail bar$$$101Sun-Thu 16:00-01:00; Fri-Sat 16:00-03:00

Rontgen on Hverfisgata is a two-floor wine, beer and cocktail bar above Dill, a Reykjavik room of candles, art and compiled low-intervention wines that won.

Signature drink: Curated low-intervention wines and draft beer

Food: Bar menu from Hosilo

Tip: Bar menu from Hosilo runs Tuesday to Saturday until 21:00. Happy hour weekdays 16:00-20:00.

Full 101 food guide →

More bars in Reykjavik

Loft Hostel Bar ★ 3.9

Cocktail barHostel rooftop bar$$$101Daily 16:00-20:00 happy hour

The fourth-floor bar at Loft Hostel on Bankastraeti is a see-and-be-seen Reykjavik balcony bar hosting up-and-coming bands and DJs above the main street.

Signature drink: Beer and live acts

Food: Light bites

Tip: The balcony catches afternoon sun over Bankastraeti. Free gigs and DJ sets run through the week.

Apotek Bar ★ 4.0

Cocktail barCocktail bar$$$101Mon-Thu 11:30-23:00; Fri 11:30-00:00; Sat 12:00-00:00; Sun 12:00-23:30

The long bar at Apotek on Austurstraeti mixes well-made cocktails in the old first-pharmacy building, one of central Reykjavik's more grown-up drinking rooms.

Signature drink: Classic and house cocktails

Food: Small plates

Tip: The happy hour at the marble bar is among the best central deals. Quieter and more polished than the clubs.

Tail Cocktail Bar ★ 4.0

Cocktail barCocktail bar$$$101Mon-Thu 11:30-00:00; Fri-Sat 11:30-01:00; Sun 11:30-00:00

Tail is the cocktail bar of the Le Kock complex on Tryggvagata, a moody Reykjavik room near the harbour mixing seasonal drinks beside the food counters.

Signature drink: Seasonal cocktails

Food: None

Tip: Shares its building with Le Kock and Deig, so you can eat next door. Cocktails change with the season.

Kaffibarinn ★ 4.3

Cocktail barBar and club$$$101Mon-Thu 15:00-01:00; Fri-Sat 12:00-04:30; Sun 12:00-01:00

Kaffibarinn on Bergstadastraeti has anchored Reykjavik nightlife since 1993, a cafe by day that turns into the city's most packed DJ bar by midnight.

Signature drink: Beer and DJ nights

Food: Snacks

Tip: Part-owned over the years by Damon Albarn. Queues form after 23:00 at weekends, so arrive early.

Slippbarinn ★ 4.3

Cocktail barCocktail bar$$$101Sun-Thu 12:00-23:00; Fri-Sat 12:00-00:00

Slippbarinn on Myrargata was Reykjavik's first cocktail bar, a harbourside room at the Marina hotel mixing inventive drinks with a long daily happy hour.

Signature drink: Cocktail of the Month

Food: Bar food and burgers

Tip: The rotating Cocktail of the Month is the order. Happy hour runs 15:00-18:00 every day by the harbour.

Rontgen ★ 4.3

Cocktail barWine and cocktail bar$$$101Sun-Thu 16:00-01:00; Fri-Sat 16:00-03:00

Rontgen on Hverfisgata is a two-floor wine, beer and cocktail bar above Dill, a Reykjavik room of candles, art and compiled low-intervention wines that won.

Signature drink: Curated low-intervention wines and draft beer

Food: Bar menu from Hosilo

Tip: Bar menu from Hosilo runs Tuesday to Saturday until 21:00. Happy hour weekdays 16:00-20:00.

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