Reykjavík Grapevine - 13.07.2012, Side 34

34
The Reykjavík Grapevine
Issue 10 — 2012
(Kebab Grill, see: “Best kebab”) and a
cheap dive bar on the second floor. Hip
young locals have been spotted flock-
ing to Ölsmiðjan lately, likely drawn to
the watery 590 ISK beers and one an-
other’s authentic company. “Not that I’d
go there sober or anything,” one reader
remarked, “but Ölsmiðjan can be really
fun with the right crowd, despite the
horrible beer.”
Runners-up: Esja (“every drink is half-
off until 22:00”), Nýlenduvöruverzlun
Hemma & Valda (“great happy hour,
good music”).
(2011: Den Danske Kro
2010: Kaffi Zimsen
2009: Nýlenduvöruverzlun Hemma
& Valda)
BEST ALL-AROUND BAR:
FAKTORý
This was a close race between Bak-
kus and Faktorý (Kaffibarinn is not in
the running, as it’s a nightlife institu-
tion). Bakkus won it last year, but the
bar has since moved to a new location
and it seems that people aren’t as into
it. Faktorý, on the other hand, is gaining
popularity. “This is one of my favourite
places because you never know what
kind of night you’ll have,” one of our
nightlife enthusiasts noted. “They have
samba, hip hop, and nineties nights, for
instance.” Some say it’s the closest to a
substitute for our newly departed club,
NASA. “And they have that GIANT pool
table outside,” someone added. Word
of caution: If you go out for a smoke,
you’ll have to the back of the queue,
which can be terribly long after 2 AM.
BEST BAR TO GO DANCING:
BAKKUS
Even though not everyone loves their
new location, Bakkus still runs an am-
bitious booking policy, serving up great
DJs and fresh music on weekends and
weeknights alike. “Once I get past a
certain level of drunkenness, I always
find myself grinding against Bakkus’
walls for some reason. That must mean
something,” remarked one commenter.
Runner-up: Faktorý, no-one (“there is
a real shortage of good clubs in Reyk-
javík”)
(new category)
BEST NEWCOMER BAR:
SLIPPBARINN, HÓTEL
MARÍNA
This is a hotel bar located by harbour.
It’s in a cool and underrated part of
Reykjavík, namely the Grandi area, and
they have a nice selection of drinks and
appetisers. Those of us who live in the
west side of town find it an especially
convenient place to start the night.
Read more on page 50.
(2011: Faktorý,
2010: Sódóma)
BEST PLACE TO WATCH
SPORTS OVER BEER: úRIL-
LA GÓRILLAN
Hvíta Perlan won this category the last
two years in a row. Hvíta Perlan is now
closed, but Úrilla Górillan has opened
in its place and in many ways it’s just
like Hvíta Perlan so it’s not surprising
that it takes best place to watch sports
over a beer this year. It’s a restaurant
and sports bar with constant streaming
of live sports. People who like to watch
sports over a beer tell us that it’s sim-
ply the best. “They have a huge screen,
and they have lots of them, and it’s re-
ally comfortable, and you get a seat
with your very own personal tap at your
table, so you don’t have to get up to or-
der!” someone who doesn’t even watch
sports excitedly told us.
(2011: Hvíta Perlan,
2010: Hvíta Perlan,
2009: Bjarni Fel)
BEST BEER SELECTION:
MICRO BAR
While most bars in Reykjavík are con-
tent to sell run of the mill “bjór,” Micro
Bar prides itself in having an excellent
selection of excellent beers on draft
and by the bottle. The place just opened
inside Center Hotel a few months ago
and we’re pretty into it. They carry all
of Iceland’s wonderful microbrews and
import fine beer and liquor that you’re
not going to see anywhere else in town.
Read more about it on page 42.
(New category)
BEST PLACE TO GET COCK-
TAILS: KOLABRAUTIN
Lebowski Bar might make 150 types of
White Russians, but like most bars in
Iceland, it is lacking a diverse cocktail
menu. People overwhelmingly go to
bars to drink beer after all. Hótel Marí-
na, Hótel 101 and Harpa’s Kolabrau-
tin seem to be the best places to get
cocktails. After some back and forth
about this, we decided that Kolabrautin
should get the award. Their lipstick pink
cocktail, the house cocktail, is to DIE
FOR and Harpa is just a really awesome
building to be inside. The bar doesn’t
stay open super late, but it’s a swanky
place to get a before dinner drink.
Runner-up: Hotel 101 (“It’s loaded with
people at happy hour. They know how
to make them.”)
(New category)
BEST PLACE TO GET COCKTAILS: KOLABRAUTIN AT HARPA
BEST MAINSTREAMER BAR: THE ENGLISH PUB
B O O K I N G S : T E L . : + 3 5 4 5 6 2 2 3 0 0 W W W . L I F E O F W H A L E S . I S
Whale-Watching Tour Duration: 3 hours
The tour includes a stop by Puffin Island 15th May - 20th August
APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEPT OCT NOV-MAR
08:55 08.55 08:55 08:55 08:55
12:55 12:55 12:55 12:55 12:55 12:55 12:55 12:55
16:55 16:55 16:55
ADULTS: 47€ / 7.500 ISK
CHILDREN: 7-15 22€ / 3.500 ISK
CHILDREN: 0-6 FREE

Other Tours
Puffin Island Tours Duration:1-1,5 hours
15th May - 20th August Every day
10:00 | 12:00 | 14:00
ADULTS: 3.800 ISK• CHILDREN: 1.900 ISK • CHILDREN: 0-6 FREE
Sea Angling and Grill Duration: 3 hours
May - September Every day
17:00
ADULTS: 10.500 ISK • CHILDREN: 5.000 ISK • CHILDREN: 0-6 FREE