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.

Book food experiences in Reykjavik

Reykjavik: Beer and Booze Tour

Guided tour2.5 hours4.9 from 71 reviewsfrom $127

Join a beer walking tour to explore three of the finest bars in Reykjavik. Sample 10 of Iceland’s delicious craft beers, most of which you can only find in Iceland.

See all 630 bookable experiences in Reykjavik

Location

Address: Tryggvagata 22, 101 Reykjavik

Also in 101

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.

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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