NIGH TLIFE GUIDE Reykjavik
January 2020
Free Copy
Central– and South American atmosphere in downtown Reykjavik!
KITCHEN OPEN TILL 23:00 Happy hour at Pablo Discobar every day 17 - 19
Burro Tapas + Steaks at Ingólfstorg 552 7333 burro.is
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Happy Hour 17:00 - 19:00
Mon - Latin Party | Tue - Taco + MargarĂta Party Wed - Silent Disco Party | Thu - Studio 54 Party
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DOS, DONT'S AND DID YOU KNOWS • Nothing really starts until after midnight on weekends. The high price of alcohol keeps us home finishing off a few drinks before we head out. Then between midnight and 1 o’clock lines start to form outside the clubs. • Several years ago every place closed at 3 in the morning on weekends and that created a Carnival atmosphere in the streets downtown and too many afterparties in the subburbs. The authorities changed to flexible openings to better control things. • From 1915 till March 1st. 1989 beer was not sold in Iceland. It was not until some bars started to sell non alcohol Pilsner mixed with Vodka that the authorities gave in. • There are over 60 bars and clubs and more than a 100 restaurants in the small downtown area of Reykjavik. The line of streets, Laugavegur, Bankastræti, Austurstræti with the parallel streets of Hafnarstræti and Hverfisgata, we often call The Rúntur. The Rúntur, which means "the round", originally refers to the practice of young Icelanders driving around the downtown area before they reached drinking age. Today it also refers to going out pub crawling/bar hopping. • Clothing for a night out may vary. Most clubs have a clothing policy. Basically dress "smart". Jeans are IN now but only as a part of the “smart” outfit. Sneakers/trainers are generally not allowed. But there are many bars and some clubs that will allow nearly any kind of attire. Use common sense. You will see that many locals love to wear black in the clubs, often for practical reasons. • Many places have long lines outside. There are VIP lines but don’t expect to get in through them. Plan and arrive early. • Drinks generally cost the same in bars and clubs. The difference could be 200-300 kr. Many places have "Happy Hours", mostly between 5 and 7 PM, but some longer. • Icelanders are not used to tipping because service is always included but in the last few years it has become more common to see that tipping gets you that extra, extra service in bars and clubs. Maybe not a positive development but just the way of the world. • We Icelanders push and shove. Don’t be offended but the places are usually so crowded that to get where we want to go we have to use initiative. • Smoking has been prohibited in public places like restaurants, bars and nightclubs since 2007. Many places offer smokers an airy place to smoke. • Most places don’t have an entrance fee unless there is a special occasion or a popular band playing. The fee is usually from 1.000 - 2.500 kr. • Closing times on weekends vary. Licences are either till 03:00 or 05:00. That does not necessary mean the actual closing time though. But places usually don’t stay open longer than 6 in the morning on weekends. Sunday to Thursday everything closes at 01.00. • During weekday nights there is not much dancing going on. We usually go to bars and cafés and hang out over coffee, beer or a glass of wine. Thursdays are good but everything closes at 1.00. But you never know. Maybe something innocent might turn into a big party. • We always go for a snack before we go home after a long night partying. Traditionally we buy a hot dog with everything “Ein með öllu”, but nowadays you can get a lot of other things to eat. See the map. Back at your hotel, it is ok to drink the tab water. That's what we do. We think it's the best in the world. • Getting a taxi in the morning on weekends might take a while. There is a waiting line for taxis by Lækjargata (see map). Taxis use the other taxi stops earlier in the night. A lot of people try to walk in different directions to pick up taxis on their way to the center but the safest bet is waiting in the taxi line. In the line you can always pick up some good conversations or some local sing-a-longs. Publisher: Jón Kári Hilmarsson - tel. +354 822 6600
Cover photo: Ash Edmonds
Gaukurinn bar & live venue
TRYGGVAGATA 22
STANDUP COMEDY in English every Monday and KARAOKE PARTY every Tuesday Free entry and starts at 21 both nights
Huge variety of CONCERTS, DRAG SHOWS twice a month and all sorts of other events!
www.gaukurinn.is
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We are very queer friendly, open and diverse. And we have Vegan cocktails.
BARS # Location on map Dance Floor
101 Hotel Lounge 34
AND
CLUBS
Food Service
Sports Bar
Live Music
Bottle Table Service
30+ Hverfisgata 10 580 0101 30+ 1919 Lounge 10 Pósthússtræti 1 599 1050 20+ The American Bar 17 Austurstræti 8 690 9996 30+ Apotek 21 Austurstræti 16 551 0011 20+ Austur Club 14 Austurstræti 7 568 1907 20+ B5 30 Bankastræti 5 552 9600 25+ Bastard Brew and Food 47 Vegamótastígur 4 558 0800 25+ Bjarni Fel Sports Bar 24 Austurstræti 20 561 2240 20+ Bjórgarðurinn 67 Þórunnartún 1 531 9013 25+ Boston 63 Laugavegur 28b 517 7816 25+ Brass kitchen & bar 63 Laugavegur 66 553 9366 25+ Bravó 55 Laugavegur 22 20+ Bryggjan Micro Brewery 2 Grandagarður 8 456 4040 25+ Crystal Champagne Club 6 Tryggvagata 20 537 1330 25+ Curious 11 NEW Hafnarstræti 4 555 2600 25+ Den Danske Kro 40 Danish Bar Ingólfsstræti 3 551 9660 25+ Dillon 63 Laugavegur 30 511 2400 30+ The Drunk Rabitt Irish Pub 13 Austurstræti 3 553 1041 25+ The Downtown Cafe & Bar 64 Vesturgata 2 781 2415 30+ Dubliner - Irish Pub 8 Hafnarstræti 3 511 3232 30+ Eiriksson Brasserie 64 Laugavegur 77 25+ The English Pub 19 Austurstræti 12 578 0400 25+ Fjallkonan 8 Hafnarstræti 1-3 555 2900
Flatey bar 1
Grandagarður 11
25+ Average age Gay
Frederiksen Ale House 9 Hafnarstræti 5
Gamla Bíó venue 35 Ingólfsstræti 2a
Gaukurinn 7
Tryggvagata 22
Hard Rock Cafe 28 Lækjargata 2a
Hlemmur Square 66 Laugavegur 105
Hressó 25
Austurstræti 20
Húrra 7
Tryggvagata 22
20+ 588 2666 25+ 571 0055 25+ 563 4000 22+ 781 7273 25+ 5 600 800 30+ 415 1600 20+ 561 2240 20+
Hverfisbarinn 44
25+ 571 3990 30+ The Icelandic Bar 38 Ingólfsstræti 1a 517 6767 25+ Icelandic Craft Bar 28 Lækjargata 6a 691 3350 30+ The Irishman Pub 54 Klapparstígur 27 580 2020 30+ Ísafold Bistro 33 Þingholttsræti 3 595 8535 30+ Jacobsen Loftið 14 Austurstræti 9 551 9400 25+ Jörgensen Kitchen & Bar 68 Laugavegur 120 595 8500 25+ Kaffibarinn 46 Bergsstaðarstræti 1 551 1588 25+ Kaffibrennslan 53 Laugavegur 21 552 3939 Kaldi bar 51 25+ Laugavegur 20b / Klapparstígur 581 2200 25+ Karólína Craft Bar & Cafe 22 Pósthússtræti 9 578 2020 22+ Kex Hostel Bar (Sæmundur) 62 Skúlagata 26 561 6060 25+ Kíki Queer Bar 55 Laugavegur 22 25+ Klaustur Downtown Bar 27 Kirkjutorg 4 571 4460 20+ Kofinn 43 Laugavegur 2 551 1855
Hverfisgata 20
Continued....
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BARS
AND
Kol 60
Skólavörðustígur 40
Laundromat Cafe 14 Austurstræti 9
Lebowski Bar 50 Laugavegur 20a
Loft Hostel bar 31 Bankastræti 7
Magic Ice Reykjavik 45 Laugavegur 4-6
Matarkjallarinn 5 Aðalstræti 2
Mar bar 3 Geirsgata 9
Ice Bar
Mat bar 5 Hverfisgata 26
Miami Hverfisgata 45 Hverfisgata 33
Ölstofa Kormáks og Skjaldar 48 Vegamótastígur 4
Ölstofan 28 Lækjargata 10
Pablo Discobar/Burro 12 Veltusund 1
Paloma 7 Naustin 1-3
Papaku 52
25+ 517 7474 30+ 771 9660 20+ 552 2300 30+ 553 8140 25+ 832 9400 30+ 558 0000 30+ 519 5050 30+ 788 3900 25+ 30+ 552 4687 25+ 511 3245 20+ 661 9261 20+
20+ 551 5444 25+ Kaffi Paris - Paris Lounge 20 Austurstræti 14 551 1020 30+ Pedersen Suite Rooftop 35 Ingólfsstræti 2a 563 4000 30+ Port 9 Winebar Veghúsastígur 9 897 8212 20+ Prikið 39 Bankastræti 12 551 2866
Klapparstígur 38
CLUBS
Public House Gastropub 56
25+ 555 7333 25+ Pünk Rvk 42 NEW Hverfisgata 20 537 7865 25+ Reykjavik Bar 64 Frakkastígur 7 Reykjavik Sportbar Pool tables NEW 25+ Skólavörðustigur 8 768 2220 25+ Röntgen Bar 37 NEW Hverfisgata 12 30+ Salt kitchen & bar 17 Geirsgata 3 552 0011 30+ Sand bar 57 Laugavegur 34-36 519 8090 25+ The Secret Cellar 28 Comedy bar Lækjargata 6a 691 3350 25+ Session Craft Bar 39 Bankastræti 14 690 1938 30+ Skuggi hotel bar 65 Hverfisgata 103 590 7000 25+ Skúli Craft bar 16 Aðalstræti 9 519 6455 25+ Sky bar 29 Ingólfsstræti 1 595 8500 30+ Slipp bar/café 3 Mýrargata 2 560 8000 25+ Snaps bistro 49 Þórsgata 1 511 6677 25+ Sólon 36 Bankastræti 7a 562 3232 25+ Sæta Svínið Gastropub 8 Hafnarstræti 1-3 555 2900 25+ Veður bar/café 51 Klapparstígur 33 571 5215 30+ Vitabar 61 Bergþórugata 21 551 7200
Laugavegur 24
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BRENNIVÍN Iceland’s signature alcoholic beverage, Brennivín, is a schnapps made from fermented potato pulp and flavoured with caraway seeds (sometimes mistaken for the taste of cumin seeds). The word brennivín literally translates into English as "burning wine". Brennivín is also commonly called Black Death. During prohibition (from 1915 to 1922), the Icelandic government placed a skull and crossbones logo on all liquor bottles. The black label was designed to discourage people from drinking the beverage. Soon, drinkers grew accustomed to requesting Black Death "Svarti Dauði" at the counter of their local liquor store. Brennivín is best served ice cold. Alcohol content 37.5% ABV. It is common to drink Brennivín with "hákarl", which is putrefied shark meat (a local "delicacy"), to mask the shark's taste. It is similar to the Scandinavian Aquavit. Several years ago an Icelandic bar owner in Luxembourg marketed a version of Brennivin as Black Death Vodka, with a skull in a top hat on a black label and sold the bottles in wooden coffins made by Luxembourgian prison inmates. The factory burned down some years ago but a beer was made for a while in Iceland under that label. In Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill 2, you can see the character Budd drink a bottle of Brennivín. It is difficult to find outside Iceland so buy one before you leave. It's a great gift.
POISON? We Icelanders have been brought up from childhood to enjoy the Opal and Tópas breath freshening sweets. Some of these salty liquorice tasting pastilles have quite a strong menthol taste. The Ölgerðin brewing company made an alcoholic version of the Opal and Tópas sweets which are now the most popular shots in Iceland. But if you are not from here, you are either going to love them or hate them. Film director Quentin Tarantino was quoted on Jay Leno’s Tonight Show that if he could imagine what poison tasted like, it would be like Opal. So it is up to you to take the plunge and enjoy them like we do or join Quentin in his views. Then afterwards you can also try the pastilles, because they are good in hiding the breath of alcohol.
18.08.13 Háskólabíó 51
on map Tickets at www.midi.is
Katrínartún 2 - Höfðatorg Tower Phone number: 511-1221 www.sjoppan.com
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Be Smart Pay Less in Iceland
www.offer.is FREE - ONE CLIK AWAY
REYKJAVIK CITY CENTER
THE RÚNTUR
CALENDAR
W HE RE ? WHAT? WHEN?
Hip/Hop
R/B
Funk
Rock
Disco
Tecno
Pop
Electr
Blues
Reggae
Soul
Indie
House
Latin
Jazz
80's
3. January
Friday 9. January
Thursday
6. January
Monday 11. January
Saturday
8. January
Wednesday 12. January
Sunday
American Bar - Dj on the turntable Bravó - Djs Marbendill x Hexia. Danske Kro and English Pub - Troubadours. Irishman - Troubadour. Lebowski - Djs Maggi and Raggi Retro Pablo Discobar - Dj Atli Policia di Fiesta 80's Hip/Hop Pop Prikið - Dj Milljón Röntgen - Dj KGB
American Bar - Troubadours Bravó - Dj Hausar Austur Club - Dance Studio. Karaeoke Night. B5 - Live music Danske Kro and English Pub - Troubadours. Irishman - Troubadour. Lebowski - Movie Quiz. Dj Raggi Retro 80's Hip/Hop Pop Pablo Discobar - Dj KGB 4. January Saturday Petersen Suite - Stína Ágústsdóttir & Andrés Þór American Bar - Dj on the turntable Prikið - Dj Cell 7 Live Bravó - Dj Lamp Vader Röntgen - Dj Árni Hjörvar Danske Kro and English Pub - Troubadours. Irishman - Troubadour. 10. January Friday Lebowski - Djs Hugo Paxton and Keli Retro American Bar - Dj on the turntable Pablo Discobar - Dj Simon fknhndsm 80's Hip/Hop Pop Bravó - Dj KGB Prikið - Dj Goodbye Valdi. Thaison Danske Kro and English Pub - Troubadours. Röntgen - Dj Silja Glommi Gaukurinn - Búkalí variety show. An evening of 5. January Sunday debauchery, burlesque, variety and comedy. Irishman - Troubadour. Bravó - Dj Breazy Daze W.Band. Lebowski - Djs Vala and Rúnar Retro Danske Kro and English Pub - Troubadours. Pablo Discobar - Dj Símon fknhndsm 80's Hip/Hop Pop Irishman - Troubadour. Lebowski - Dj Halli Einars Retro Prikið - Dj Logi Pedro Miami - Sunday Roast Battle Comedy Röntgen - Dj Óli Dóri Sólon - Dj Dóra Júlía Sæta Svínið - Party Bingo with Sigga Kling. American Bar - Dj on the turntable Bravó - Dj Thaison Danske Kro - Troubadour. Dillon - Back to the Metal Roots. Metal English Pub - Troubadours Gaukurinn - Drag-Súgur: The Musical (queer 7. January Tuesday variety show). American Bar - Troubadour Irishman - Troubadour. Austur Club - Dance Studio by Javi Valino. Lebowski - Djs Hugo Paxton and Raggi Retro Danske Kro and English Pub - Troubadours. 80's Hip/Hop Pop Pablo Discobar - Dj KGB Fjallkonan - Drag Pub Quiz with Gógó Starr Prikið - Dj Spegill Gaukurinn - Karaoke party Röntgen - Dj Katla Lebowski - Dj Halifax Retro Sólon - Dj Dóra Júlía American Bar - Troubadour Danske Kro and English Pub - Troubadours. Gaukurinn - SOULFLOW COMEDY: Women & Queer Stand Up Open Mic Night (in English) Lebowski - Dj Maggi Retro
American Bar - Troubadour Austur Club - Late Night Comedy Show by York Underwood. Danske Kro and English Pub - Troubadours. Lebowski - Dj Keli Retro Pablo Discobar - Silent Disco Prikið - Dj Introbeats Röntgen - Dj Hjalti Kaftu Sæta Svínið - Karaoke with Helga Margrét & Dj Dóra Júlía.
Bravó - Vinyl Sunday Jazz Bryggjan - Live Jazz Danske Kro and English Pub - Troubadours. Irishman - Troubadour. Lebowski - Dj Teitur Retro Miami - Sunday Roast Battle Comedy Sæta Svínið - Party Bingo with Sigga Kling.
The information here is subject to change. No responsibility is taken for its accuracy.
13. January
Closing hours vary on Friday and Saturday. Other nights it is 01:00.
Monday Prikið - Dj Jach the House Crew. RA:TIO.
American Bar - Troubadour Bravó - Djöfulsins Karíókí. Danske Kro and English Pub - Troubadours. Gaukurinn - SOULFLOW COMEDY: Women & Queer Stand Up Open Mic Night (in English) Lebowski - Dj Halifax Retro
Sólon - Djs Víkingur and Bjarni
18. January
Saturday
American Bar - Dj on the turntable Bravó - Dj This is Nonsence Danske Kro and English Pub - Troubadours. Gaukurinn - "Helgarhald '20" mini-festival, 14. January Tuesday Ottoman, Ceasetone, Alchemia, Volcanova, American Bar - Troubadour SEINT, Bogdan, Rock Paper Sisters + more. Austur Club - Dance Studio by Javi Valino. Irishman - Troubadour. Danske Kro and English Pub - Troubadours. Lebowski - Djs Hugo Paxton and Keli Retro Fjallkonan - Drag Pub Quiz with Gógó Starr 80's Hip/Hop Pop Pablo Discobar - Dj KGB Gaukurinn - Karaoke party Röntgen - Dj Simon Fknhndsm Lebowski - Dj Halli Einars Retro Prikið - Dj Snorri Ástráðsson 15. January Wednesday Sólon - Djs Víkingur and Bjarni American Bar - Troubadour 19. January Sunday Austur Club - Late Night Comedy Show by Bravó - Vinyl Sunday York Underwood. Jazz Bryggjan - Live Jazz Bravó - Dj Introbeats Danske Kro and English Pub - Troubadours. Danske Kro and English Pub - Troubadours. Irishman - Troubadour. Lebowski - Dj Rúnar Retro Lebowski - Dj Halli Einars Retro Pablo Discobar - Silent Disco Miami - Sunday Roast Battle Comedy Prikið - Dj KGB Sæta Svínið - Party Bingo with Sigga Kling. Sæta Svínið - Karaoke with Helga Margrét & 20. January Monday Dj Dóra Júlía. American Bar - Troubadour 16. January Thursday Danske Kro and English Pub - Troubadours. American Bar - Troubadours Gaukurinn - SOULFLOW COMEDY: Women & Bravó - Dj Simon Fknhndsm Queer Stand Up Open Mic Night (in English) Austur Club - Dance Studio. Karaeoke Night. Lebowski - Dj Maggi Retro B5 - Live music 21. January Tuesday Danske Kro and English Pub - Troubadours. American Bar - Troubadour Irishman - Troubadour. Lebowski - Movie Quiz. Dj Raggi Retro Austur Club - Dance Studio by Javi Valino. Danske Kro and English Pub - Troubadours. 80's Hip/Hop Pop Pablo Discobar - Dj Seth Sharp Petersen Suite - Jazz duo: Ásgeir Ásgeirsson & Fjallkonan - Drag Pub Quiz with Gógó Starr Gaukurinn - Karaoke party Jazz Haukur Gröndal. Lebowski - Dj Halifax Retro Prikið - Dj Thugs Needs Hugs 2 Röntgen - Dj Alaxandra Baldurs 22. January Wednesday 17. January Friday American Bar - Troubadour Austur Club - Late Night Comedy Show by York American Bar - Dj on the turntable Underwood. Bravó - Dj Öldulaugin Vol. 2 Danske Kro and English Pub - Troubadours. Danske Kro and English Pub - Troubadours. Lebowski - Dj Keli Retro Gaukurinn - "Helgarhald '20" mini-festival, Pablo Discobar - Silent Disco Ottoman, Ceasetone, Alchemia, Volcanova, SEINT, Bogdan, Rock Paper Sisters + more. Prikið - Dj Bleache Sæta Svínið - Karaoke with Helga Margrét & Dj Irishman - Troubadour. Lebowski - Djs Vala and Teitur Retro Dóra Júlía. Pablo Discobar - Dj Atli Policia di Fiesta 80's Hip/Hop Pop Röntgen - Dj Styrmir Dansson Continued....
CALENDAR
Hip/Hop
R/B
Funk
Rock
Disco
Tecno
Pop
Electr
Blues
Reggae
Soul
Indie
House
Latin
Jazz
80's
23. January Thursday Queer Stand Up Open Mic Night (in English) Lebowski - Dj Halifax Retro American Bar - Troubadours Austur Club - Dance Studio. Karaeoke Night. 28. January Tuesday B5 - Live music American Bar - Troubadour Bravó - Dj Einar Sonic Austur Club - Dance Studio by Javi Valino. Danske Kro and English Pub - Troubadours. Danske Kro and English Pub - Troubadours. Gaukurinn - Drag-Súgur Drag Lab. Fjallkonan - Drag Pub Quiz with Gógó Starr Irishman - Troubadour. Gaukurinn - Karaoke party Lebowski - Movie Quiz. Dj Raggi Retro Lebowski - Dj Halli Einars Retro Hi p /Hop Pop 80's Pablo Discobar - Dj Seth Sharp 29. January Wednesday Petersen Suite - Live Music. American Bar - Troubadour Prikið - Dj Allt Búið Ehf. Austur Club - Late Night Comedy Show by York Röntgen - Dj Biggi Maus 8-9-0 Underwood. 24. January Friday Danske Kro and English Pub - Troubadours. American Bar - Dj on the turntable Lebowski - Dj Rúnar Retro Bravó - Dj Formaðurinn Pablo Discobar - Silent Disco Danske Kro and English Pub - Troubadours. Prikið - Dj TY of Geimfarar. Rock Gaukurinn - Dead Coyote and more. Sæta Svínið - Karaoke with Helga Margrét & Dj Irishman - Troubadour. Dóra Júlía. Lebowski - Djs Árni Óli and Keli Retro Pablo Discobar - Dj Atli Policia di Fiesta 80's Hip/Hop Pop 30. January Thursday American Bar - Troubadours Röntgen - Belfast DJ set Austur Club - Dance Studio. Karaeoke Night. Prikið - Dj Karítas Extravaganza Bravó - Dj Beatmakin Troopa Sólon - Dj Brynjar Már B5 - Live music 25. January Saturday Danske Kro and English Pub - Troubadours. American Bar - Dj on the turntable Irishman - Troubadour. Bravó - Dj KRBear Lebowski - Movie Quiz. Dj Raggi Retro Danske Kro and English Pub - Troubadours. 80's Hip/Hop Pop Pablo Discobar - Dj KGB Rock Gaukurinn - Spunk and more. Prikið - Dj Big Gee. Dj Nino Finaprint. Hard Rock Cafe - Lenny Kravits Tribute Röntgen - Dj Station Helgi Irishman - Troubadour. Friday Lebowski - Djs Halli and Rúnar Retro 31. January Pablo Discobar - Dj Simon fknhndsm 80's Hip/Hop Pop American Bar - Dj on the turntable Bravó Dj Evil Suburban Kids Röntgen - Dj KGB Danske Kro and English Pub - Troubadours. Prikið - Loose Lips. DJ Stew. Irishman - Troubadour. Sólon - Dj Brynjar Már Lebowski - Djs Hugo Paxton and Keli Retro 26. January Sunday Pablo Discobar - Dj j Atli Policia di Fiesta 80's Hip/Hop Pop Bravó - Djöfulsins Karíókí Röntgen - Dj Katla Jazz Bryggjan - Live Jazz Sólon - Dj Bogi Danske Kro and English Pub - Troubadours. 1. February Saturday Gaukurinn - Songwriter Night. American Bar - Dj on the turntable Irishman - Troubadour. Lebowski - Dj Teitur Retro Danske Kro and English Pub - Troubadours. Miami - Sunday Roast Battle Comedy Háskólabíó - Ásgeir in concert Irishman - Troubadour. Sæta Svínið - Party Bingo with Sigga Kling. Lebowski - Djs Maggi and Teitur Retro 27. January Monday Sólon - Dj Bogi American Bar - Troubadour Danske Kro and English Pub - Troubadours. Gaukurinn - SOULFLOW COMEDY: Women &
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ICE BAR & GALLERY
The hottest place to cool down!
Opening Hours
Sun-Thu 11:00-23:00 Fri-Sat 11:00-24:00 We are located downstairs at Laugavegur 4-6, 101 Reykjavik
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