Reykjavík Grapevine - 01.09.2017, Page 35

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Best bookshop
Mál og Menning
Laugavegur 18
While downtown Reykjavík has quite
a few large book shops, in line with
the city’s standing as a UNESCO City of
Literature, Mál og Menning occupies
a special place in the hearts of Ice-
landers. It has three levels with great
curated displays of the latest titles, and
for visitors, there’s an area dedicated
to selling recent and classic Icelandic
literature in English. “It has the most
space and the best selection,” said the
panel. “It has a good atmosphere—
there’s no question that it’s the best
in town.” The cafe is a haunt of local
writers, and it hosts occasional book
launches and readings, too.
Runners Up
IÐA Zimsen
Vesturgata 2a
This peaceful spot is equal parts café
and bookstore, so you can get a coffee
and a snack while you leaf through your
purchases. “Everything in there is inter-
esting,” said the panel. “I love sitting there
and looking at the books and magazines.
I feel like I’m in a different country.”
Eymundsson
Skólavörðust. 11, Austurstræti 18
This Icelandic book store chain has
several branches with a great selection
of Icelandic writing and all the latest
international titles, often in both
Icelandic and English. The cafes at the
Skólavörðustígur and Austurstræti
locations also make for great peo-
ple-watching spots.
Previous Winners
2016: Eymundsson Austurstræti
2015: Sjónarlind
2014: Nexus
2013: Eymundsson, Bankastræti
2012: Mál og Menning
Best barber
Stjúri
Laugavegur 59
A good barber knows that their cus-
tomers like to have a nice experience
as well as a sharp haircut. Stjúri—a
tucked-away barber located in top
men’s clothing store Kormákur and
Skjöldur—knows this better than most.
“He has a loyal following,” said one
regular on the panel. “Be warned, you
have to book three or four months in
advance. I’m booked in there for the
whole year now. He just does everything
so well. You don’t just get the haircut,
you can go into the back and have a
cup of coffee.” Pick up a bow tie on the
way out, now that you’re looking fancy.
Runners Up
Rakarastofa Ragnars og Harðar
Vesturgata 48
This family business is run by a
father-and-son duo, giving the place a
welcoming family atmosphere. “A lot of
my friends go there,” said one panellist.
“They’ve got an old school look. Harðar
is the dad and Ragnar is the son. It’s
very cosy. I like the look of it.”
Rauðhetta & Úlfurinn
Skólavörðustígur 8
In a sense, Rauðhetta & Úlfurinn is a
Reykjavík classic. It’s been around
for over a decade, and the service is
congenial without being overbearing.
People are loyal to their favourite
hairdresser, meaning some of them
have long waiting lists, but pop in and
try your luck.
Previous Winners
2016: Barber
2015: Barber
Best secondhand shop
Spúútnik
Laugavegur 28b and Kringlan
With our previous winner Kolaportið
increasingly turning into a market for
cheap imported goods, vintage para-
dise Spúútnik moves into first place.
This well-curated clothing emporium
is more like a secondhand clothing
boutique than a charity shop. “It’s
expensive,” said the panel, “but it’s all
imported stuff you won’t find anywhere
else. They’re particular with the selec-
tion—after sorting through maybe sixty
shirts, they’ll determine that just one is
good enough to go onto the shop floor.”
Runners Up
Red Cross
Laugavegur 12b & 116,
Skólavörðustígur 12
There are a handful of Red Cross
locations in Reykjavík, the most popular
of which is a small store on Laugavegur.
“When you go secondhand shopping
you want something cheap and unique,”
said the panel, “and the place to go for
that is the Red Cross.” There’s also a
second, larger store near Hlemmur.
Fatamarkaður
Laugavegur 118
Further up the street from Spúútnik sits
its sister store, Fatamarkaður. It’s simi-
lar in style but cheaper in price—while
the tip-top best items are to be found
in Spúútnik, if you’re on a tight budget
you’ll probably be able to find some-
thing close in style and quality here.
Previous Winners
2016: Kolaportið
2015: Hertex
2014: Spúútnik
2013: Spúútnik
2012: Fatamarkaður
Best record store
Lucky Records
Rauðarárstígur 10
Lucky Records is probably the biggest
record shop in Iceland, with shelves
upon shelves of new and used vinyl and
CDs on offer. They have a small stage
where local and visiting bands some-
times perform, and expert staff that
can always help you find what you’re
looking for. “They stock classics and
limited editions,” said the panel. “It’s
expensive, but it’s the only store with
a wide selection of obscure releases.”
The panel also complimented the pure
variety of their stock: “You can go in the
back room to continue the search. It’s
endless: dig, dig, dig!”
Runners Up
12 Tónar
Skólavörðustígur 15
This city-centre record store is
something of an institution, offering
the unique experience of having the
store staff ask about your music taste
then sit you down with a coffee, some
headphones, and a pile of Icelandic
records. It’s also a label that puts out
many top Icelandic artists. A must-visit
Reykjavík store.
Smekkleysa Plötubúð
Laugavegur 35
Smekkleysa is a independent record
label that has put out a lot of classic
Icelandic music—the Sugarcubes are
still on the board—and their old-school,
bright green record shop also stocks
a carefully curated selection of new
international releases. You’ll always find
some rarities and surprises there.
Previous Winners
2016: Reykjavík Record Shop
2015: Reykjavík Record Shop
2014: Lucky Records
2013: Lucky Records