Loft Hostel Bar is a nightlife spot in 101, Reykjavik.
The fourth-floor bar at Loft Hostel on Bankastraeti is a see-and-be-seen Reykjavik balcony bar hosting up-and-coming bands and DJ sets above the main street.
Tip: The balcony catches afternoon sun over Bankastraeti. Free gigs and DJ sets run through the week.
Address: Bankastraeti 7, 101 Reykjavik
Kiki Queer Bar on Laugavegur is Reykjavik's main LGBTQ club, two colourful floors of pop and dance that fill at weekends with a mixed and welcoming crowd.
Tip: Enter from the Klapparstigur side. Friday and Saturday are the big nights for the upstairs dance floor.
Dillon Whiskey Bar on Laugavegur is a rock pub with over a hundred whiskies in a historic Reykjavik house, with a tiny gig stage tucked up in the rafters.
Tip: The back garden is a summer sun-trap. Live rock plays in the attic space above the main bar.
Prikid on Bankastraeti is one of Reykjavik's oldest bars, a 1951 diner-cafe by day that becomes a late hip-hop bar by night, known for the hangover breakfast.
Tip: Open into the small hours at weekends. The greasy breakfast is the morning-after institution.
Kaffibarinn on Bergstadastraeti is the godfather of Reykjavik nightlife, a 1993 cafe-bar that turns into a heaving DJ dance floor past midnight at weekends.
Tip: Once part-owned by Damon Albarn. Go before 23:00 to skip the long weekend queue at the door.
Pablo Discobar on Veltusund is a two-floor tropical disco bar in central Reykjavik, where mezcal cocktails give way to karaoke and a packed dance floor under a mirrored ceiling.
Tip: On the third floor at Veltusund 1. Happy hour 16:00 to 18:00, dancing until 03:00 Friday and Saturday.
Gaukurinn on Tryggvagata is Reykjavik's scrappy grassroots live venue, a tiny stage for rock, punk, drag and DJ nights with some of the cheaper beer downtown.
Tip: A long-running home for new bands and drag shows. Check the gig calendar; cover is small or free.
Kiki Queer Bar on Laugavegur is Reykjavik's main LGBTQ club, two colourful floors of pop and dance that fill at weekends with a mixed and welcoming crowd.
Tip: Enter from the Klapparstigur side. Friday and Saturday are the big nights for the upstairs dance floor.
Dillon Whiskey Bar on Laugavegur is a rock pub with over a hundred whiskies in a historic Reykjavik house, with a tiny gig stage tucked up in the rafters.
Tip: The back garden is a summer sun-trap. Live rock plays in the attic space above the main bar.
Prikid on Bankastraeti is one of Reykjavik's oldest bars, a 1951 diner-cafe by day that becomes a late hip-hop bar by night, known for the hangover breakfast.
Tip: Open into the small hours at weekends. The greasy breakfast is the morning-after institution.
Kaffibarinn on Bergstadastraeti is the godfather of Reykjavik nightlife, a 1993 cafe-bar that turns into a heaving DJ dance floor past midnight at weekends.
Tip: Once part-owned by Damon Albarn. Go before 23:00 to skip the long weekend queue at the door.
Pablo Discobar on Veltusund is a two-floor tropical disco bar in central Reykjavik, where mezcal cocktails give way to karaoke and a packed dance floor under a mirrored ceiling.
Tip: On the third floor at Veltusund 1. Happy hour 16:00 to 18:00, dancing until 03:00 Friday and Saturday.
Gaukurinn on Tryggvagata is Reykjavik's scrappy grassroots live venue, a tiny stage for rock, punk, drag and DJ nights with some of the cheaper beer downtown.
Tip: A long-running home for new bands and drag shows. Check the gig calendar; cover is small or free.
