When Daytime Doesn’t End, Reykjavik’s Bar Scene Lights Up
From mid-May through mid-July in Iceland, the sun doesn’t fully set, and Reykjavik’s bar scene becomes even more electric. [...] Read More... The post When Daytime Doesn’t End, Reykjavik’s Bar Scene Lights Up appeared first on Wine Enthusiast.
Among the countless natural wonders that draw tourists to Iceland each year—glaciers, volcanos, geothermal hot springs—the famed “midnight sun” tends to top bucket lists. From mid-May through mid-July, the sun doesn’t set, but rather lingers just below the horizon. Instead of darkness, elongated pink and peach twilight hues fill the sky from midnight until the sun “rises” again around 3 am.
This light-all-night phenomenon, which peaks with the most light on the summer solstice (this year, June 20), has a unique impact on Iceland’s drinking culture. Bars and clubs fill up. In true Scandinavian fashion, festivities extend outdoors as much as possible, offering respite after long, dark winters.
“Icelanders don’t generally need an excuse to throw back a few drinks, but there is no greater incentive than the prospect of sitting outside on a sunny terrace and welcoming back the sunshine,” says David Hood, head bartender at the Reykjavik speakeasy-style bar Amma Don. “The return of the sun welcomes the return of optimism and people tend to be more active, trying to make the most of the warmer days. Most weddings in Iceland take place in the summer for a reason—it’s a time of celebration.”
Hood describes a typical summer night out: People begin in the afternoon under the sunshine, sipping a beer or spritz. Then comes dinner, followed by an after-dinner drink, which leads to a nightcap. “Soon enough, the bar is playing ‘Closing Time,’ and you now find yourself stumbling out onto the streets bumping into some guy training for the Reykjavík marathon,” he says.
Others partake in social group outings called rúnturs—essentially road trips with groups of friends—or ísbíltúrs, which roughly translates as the phenomenon of jumping into your car to get ice cream (usually at a dairy farm or ice cream shop, a year-round tradition). Within Reykjavik’s city center, the vibe is mostly bar-hopping groups of friends on foot, rather than the caravan of cars found in smaller Icelandic towns.
“It’s always super strange when you go clubbing during the summer,” adds Jónas Heiðarr, who owns several Reykjavik bars, including Jungle. “When you leave the club sometime between 3 and 5 am and it’s just super bright out, it feels like waking up after a wild dream.”
For some revelers, when the bars and clubs close, that’s the signal to get back outdoors again. Steinþór Helgi Arnsteinsson, general manager of Röntgen Bar, suggests heading to Kaffibarinn, one of the oldest bars in Reykjavik. “Dance your ass off, and when it closes at 4:30 am, go out into bright daylight, walk down to the sea and witness the amazing sunshine over the mountains and Faxaflói bay,” he says.
Round-the-clock revelry may be tempting when the sun never sets, but visitors planning to partake should set their own cues to get some rest. Pack a sleeping mask, Heiðarr advises, and “don’t get fooled into drinking coffee super late just because it’s still bright out. You still need sleep, after all.”
Here’s a list of eight go-to bars in Reykjavik, suggested by the pros who live and work there.
Keep this list on hand if you’re heading there during the colder-weather months to chase the Northern Lights, too.
Amma Don
Hidden within Michelin-starred Óx Restaurant (seriously: good luck finding the entrance), think of Daisy
This dark and moody semi-basement bar made a big splash when it opened in mid-2024. “Daisy might be a bar scene newcomer, but her team is not,” says Amma Don’s Hood. “These professionals are reviving lesser-known classic cocktails.” For example, a recent “cocktail of the week” selection included the Old Cuban and Queen’s Park Swizzle.
“Jungle bar is an institution,” says Hood. “[It] set the scene for the new wave of craft cocktail bars which have opened in the last five years.” Greenery draped around the bar and painted on the walls give an appropriately jungle-y vibe. Try the Apré-cot, a mix of Woodford Reserve, apricot, Campari and sweet vermouth.
“Just vibes” is Heiðarr’s description of this lively spot that some liken to a cozy, welcoming English pub: think dark wood paneling, lots of candles and local artwork on the wall. “[There’s] always something happening: concerts, DJ sets and other fun shenanigans.” Röntgen’s Nordic Spritz, made with Icelandic herbs and sparkling wine, is a local favorite.
Another cool place to start off the night is Vínstúkan tíu sopar, an elegant wine bar set in a serene space with sage-green walls and white trim, and a friendly staff eager to share drink recommendations. Bonus: This spot has a thoughtful food menu, with wine-friendly goodies like aged cheeses and tinned fish. “I find myself coming back again and again,” says Hood.
Tucked away in a food hall, Skál is a trendy modern gastropub that’s “a must-visit in Iceland,” says Hood. The playful culinary program, which features small plates like savory cod wings and deep-fried spot prawn heads, is overseen by chef Thomas Lorentzen, formerly of Kadeau in Copenhagen, and Icelandic chef Gísli Matthías. Hood recommends the mini-sized martinis.
A cozy Basque-inspired tapas bar in the heart of the city, Skreið is the low-key yet elegant aperitivo spot you’ll want on your radar. Arnsteinsson of Röntgen Bar calls it a “wonderful hangout spot before diving into something more crazy.” Sample the natural wine of the day or opt for a spritz, but don’t miss the fluffy house tortilla.
Named for the Icelandic word for “weather,” this “chill and easy-going bar [is] one of the best places to start the night,” Arnsteinsson says. As Vedur’s name might suggest, drinks change with the seasons, featuring foraged herbs, Arctic berries and Icelandic spirits. Café-style outdoor tables right on Reykjavik’s famed “rainbow street” mean you won’t have to miss a minute of the midnight sun.
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The post When Daytime Doesn’t End, Reykjavik’s Bar Scene Lights Up appeared first on Wine Enthusiast.
Jungle
Röntgen
Vínstúkan tíu sopar
Skál
Skreið
Vedur
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