Reykjavík Grapevine - 18.06.2010, Blaðsíða 16

www.inspiredbyiceland.is
OOd NEWS
We are generally inspired by Iceland and the stuff going on here. We wanted to bring y'all the good news
happening in our fair country and why we love living here.
G R A P E V I N E
SHOWS SOME LOVE
A buncha stuff we thought we’d love on
Hammertime!
The totally unofficial guide to getting
hammered in Reykjavík
Names: Mario and Will
Country: Scotland
Why did you want to come to
Iceland?
M: To play football. We are
organising football games for an
international camp for 2 weeks.
What is your favorite thing about
Iceland so far?
W: Playing football at night while it is
still light outside.
What is your least favorite thing
about Iceland so far?
W: Can’t think of anything!
What is the most exciting thing
you have done/seen?
W: We were attacked by birds while
looking for Björk Park …which
apparently doesn’t exist.
Names: Odile, Yves, Aline and
Ludovic
Country: France
Why did you come to Iceland?
L: We came to Iceland for our work.
We're participating in a car-driving
event. We really enjoy our work and
it's exciting to travel to Iceland for it.
So, you like it here so far?
A: So far yes, although we only got
in last night. It's very different from
France. I wish we were staying longer.
We don't have to much time for sig
ht-seeing because we're working.
Has anything surprised you about
Iceland?
O: I'm surprised at how expensive it
is. I knew it was expensive before, but
I would have thought things would be
cheaper after the banks collapsed.
It's not that bad though, it's a very
interesting place.
Tourists On The
Street
We stopped to interview some
lucky tourists on the street to see
why they chose to visit Iceland.
The following people graciously
complied to dish out the details of
their trip.
Clearly we at the Grapevine know how
to get our drink on. We are after all
young, abrasive, foul-mouthed party
animals who spend most of our time
in mosh pits or typing our way through
hangovers (or so we would have you
believe). Many of our staff moved to
this city because of all the fun times to
be had, and those often involve a great
deal of booze (we are unimaginative
like that). In fact, Iceland as a whole is
a rather boozy nation—some would call
it borderline-if-not-wholly-past-the-
line-alcoholic—and good times can be
had anywhere, but especially in this fine
city. If you want to really partake in a
local experience, here are a few great
ways to get properly sloshed with us!
Bakkus
Naustin
This relatively new establishment has
weathered the storm of being a feel-
good-hit-of-the-summer and has be-
come a staple location on weeknights
and -ends alike. Bakkus has a lot going
on for it; it’s super colourful and pretty,
the bar has gigantic fingers painted on
wood behind it (in fact, it is decorated
by renowned artist Davíð Örn Halldórs-
son), there is free foosball, a photo
booth and Terminator pinball. There are
often things hanging from the ceiling,
like open umbrellas, and lots of kids
in face paint. Their new sister-bar and
neighbour Venue also often has great
shows to start the night off with.
Kaffibarinn
Bergstaðastræti 1
The little black dress of Reykjavík‘s
nightlife: this indispensable bar is the
cornerstone of a good night out. It will
never go out of style. It is so classic and
reliable in its debauchery. It is two tiny
floors of cramped, sweaty, smelly, shov-
ing, pushing, spilling, yelling, dancing,
kissing madness full of the coolest and
cutest people in town. This is one place
that international bar-hoppers must
check off the list.
Boston
Laugavegur 28b
Boston is often a who’s-who of the fa-
mous and fashionable people in town
(indeed, it is somewhat of a stylized
reincarnation of Sirkús). It is also prob-
ably the place to spot the better known
musicians, if that’s what you came here
to do (they feel weird being looked at,
though). The lush, classy decor is in
perfect complement to the folks that
hang out there, set to cool, eclectic
music. One of the nicest features of this
bar is the spacious back deck, which is
more packed than the dance floor on
those light summer nights.
Barbara
Laugavegur 22, entrance on Klap-
parstígur
As a self-proclaimed straight-friendly
queer bar, Barbara is a fantastic spot to
cut loose and get footloose. The music
here is the perfect balance of processed
orange cheese and a glitter explosion,
perfect for forgetting how cool you
think you are and dancing like crazy
on a table to that Katy Perry song you
always say you hate. Unlike many bars,
it’s actually pretty spacious too. The first
floor is generally an entire dance floor,
while the upper level holds a nice seat-
ing area and a cool smokers’ deck, so
you have plenty of room to go off your
tits while inducing cancer.
Prikið
Bankastræti 12
Prikið is kind of badass. They mainly host
a fine array of rap, hip hop, dubstep and
breakbeat DJs and events, but it’s all
around just a really laid back cool place
to go. Its great location at the meeting
point of Laugavegur and Bankastræti
make you feel right in the heart of it all
and it’s cosy, but big enough to feel at
ease. They are also well known for their
summer jam block parties.
House Parties
Anywhere!
Granted this one might be a bit tougher
if you don’t know anyone in Iceland, but
we strongly urge you to get to know the
locals and crash their parties. Usually
people don’t go out to any of the afore-
mentioned places until really, really late.
Like nearly two AM. This is because
they are at home greasing the wheels
with much cheaper alcohol from the
liquor store or moonshine. If you just
got into town with duty free booze, you
will be very warmly welcomed. You also
won’t feel like such a sober fool as you
parade your way down to the first bar
of the night, where everyone is already
fucked up. Now go make some friends!
By Rebecca Louder
The Jónsvaka Arts
Festival
Downtown Reykjavík
Bunch of young people making
art and music? You gotta love
that.
Our new Mayor!
Jón Gnarr is now mayor of
Reykjavík. This is very cool,
and offers a glimmer of hope.
Here’s wishing that he does an
admirable job, so we can all
admire him.
Kaffi Grand
Frakkastígur
This place sells dirty beer done
dirt-cheap. And mixed drinks.
Really, really cheap. And still
manages to be relatively nice.
What a find, what a find.
The new Iceland
Airwaves team
Already they’ve announced a
buncha sweet bands, like jj.
And Hercules & Love Affair.
And The Antlers. Good work,
new team!
Boston
Laugavegur
The beer is too expensive, but
there’s something just right
about it when the mood strikes.
Y’all tourists!
Boy, summer is so fun in
Reykjavík! There is no shortage
of fun and interesting new
people to converse with, to
drink with and to argue about
whaling with. Come one, come
all!