Reykjavík Grapevine - 10.12.2016, Page 23

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Best beer selection
Mikkeller &
Friends
Hverfisgata 12
Despite the high blood pressure-induc-
ing icelandic prices, Mikkeller wins easily
this category for its mouth-watering
beer list. Twenty taps feature a rotating
menu of beers brewed by Mikkeller and
their favourite fellow micro-breweries
(the “Friends” in the bar’s name). They
vary from super-sour lambic ales to in-
tense IPAs and deep, chocolatey stouts.
“It’s a cool brand, and a beautifully
decorated bar room.” Bonus points for
being located above a great pizza place.
Runners-up:
Skúli Craft Bar
Aðalstræti 9
This place is set up to be both friendly
to beer nuts and accessible to the rest
of us. Skúli has a crazy beer list, and
you’ll be able to read about all 130 of
their bottled beer offerings on their
extensive menu. The ambience is also
pretty hip, with brick walls, wooden
furniture and dim lighting.
Bjórgarðurinn
Þórunnartún 1
Bjórgarðurinn may have a pretty great
beer selection and a nice atmosphere
to enjoy a pint or two, but it lost points
for its location (you have to cross Snor-
rabraut to get there). “Bjórgarðurinn
is for business people,” one of our
panellists said. “It’s called ‘beer garden,’
but it’s placed on cement.”
Previous Winners:
2015: Skúli Craft Bar
2014: Micro Bar
2013: Micro Bar
2012: Micro Bar
Best place for cocktails
Apótek
Austurstræti 16
Apótek is a beautifully decorated
restaurant in the heart of downtown.
It’s actually styled as a pharmacy, hence
the name Apótek. They refer to their
bartenders as pharmacists and offer a
great selection of cocktails, or as they
call them painkillers, stimulants and
tranquilizers. The restaurant is famous
for its exquisite menu, wide selection of
wine and beautifully crafted desserts.
However, their cocktails are also
otherworldly.
Runners-up:
Slippbarinn
Mýrargata 2
Slippbarinn has for quite a while been
the go-to-place for drinking cocktails.
The panel said, “Slippbarinn has crazy
good cocktails. They’re not cheap
but they are talked-about good.” The
restaurant is stylish and offers a weekly
jazz concert as well as regular DJs.
The panel continued, “They have the
classics, something new and something
with a twist.”
Hverfisgata 12
Hverfisgata 12
Hverfisgata 12 is known for its amazing
selection of unique and delicious
pizzas. However, their cocktails are also
quite something. With their signature
blumosa (blueberry syrup and bubbles)
they were quick to snag a place as
runners-up in this category.
Previous Winners:
2015: Apótek
2014: Slippbarinn
2013: Borg, Hotel Borg
2012: Kolabrautin
Best bar for live music
Húrra
Tryggvagata 22
Everyone we consulted showered Húrra
in praise. Factors for this win include
the sound system, which can handle
anything from acoustic to ambient to
techno to noise; the lighting, which is
dynamic and atmospheric; and a great
programme of touring bands, album
parties, DJ nights and the best local
acts. Húrra attracts a young, fashionable
(if mostly drunk) crowd. It also has a
great bar selection. Maybe the only place
in Reykjavík that stocks Club Maté.
Runners-up:
MENGI
Óðinsgata 2
More of an arts space than a bar, it has
a formal, attentive atmosphere, not
somewhere you’d go for a casual drink.
MENGI offers a programme gleaned
from the more creative end of the mu-
sical spectrum, encouraging performers
to play collaborative and experimental
sets for the rapt, seated audience.
Gaukurinn
Tryggvagata 22
This music venue and watering hole is
in the “bermuda triangle” of bars with
Húrra and Frederiksen. Reinvented
many times over the years, it still bears
the hallmarks of its rock scene roots.
It has a big sound system, good stage
lighting, and just the right kind of dingi-
ness for live guitar music of all flavours.
Previous Winners:
2015: Húrra
2014: Cafe Rosenberg
2013: Volta (RIP)
Best happy hour
Kaffibarinn
Bergstaðastræti 1
Ah, Kaffibarinn, the perennial favourite.
It’s perhaps one of the best places to go
for a drink at any hour, but the best time
to drop by is hands down for happy hour.
“Kaffibarinn has the longest happy hour
and offers good beers like Kaldi and Ein-
stök,” one of our panellists noted. You’ll
be able to find these discounted offerings
from 15:00 to 20:00 every day, with beers
priced at 650 ISK—a steal of a deal, and
five hours of happiness!
Runners-up:
Loft Hostel
Bankastræti 7a
Our panellists judged that the happy
hour at Loft Hostel is perfect for day
drinking, especially in the summer.
Their stellar patio is perfect for sipping
a beer in the sun. Drop by Loft from
16:00 to 19:00 every day for beers
priced at 600 ISK.
Frederiksen Ale House
Hafnarstræti 5
Frederiksen has nine different types of
beer on draft. Their happy hour is from
16:00 to 19:00 and they offer a two for
one deal so you can actually get a beer
for only 450 ISK. They also have great
food so it’s the perfect place to catch a
drink and a good meal after work.
Previous Winners:
2015: Foréttabarinn
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