Reykjavík Grapevine - 01.06.2017, Qupperneq 25

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Best bar to go dancing
Prikið
Bankastræti 12
After three years winning this slot,
Kiki has been knocked out by Prikið’s
hip-hop-centric party cry. With a tightly
packed dance floor that you hit as soon
as you enter the bar, you immediately
get swept into the fun, friendly party.
“It’s the only place I will go alone,” said
one panellist, “because you’ll hang out
and dance with nice random people.
You just feel good in there.” The danc-
ing tends to spread out all over both
tightly packed floors while the bartend-
ers keep the party atmosphere high.
Runners Up
Húrra
Tryggvagata 22
Húrra won best all-around bar for many
reasons, and one big one is its very big
and impressive dancefloor. Every week-
end, gig or no gig, Húrra invariably has
a great DJ booked and a ton of space in
which to flail about like an idiot or pull
cool shapes to impress the cuties. You
can even dance on the stage!
Paloma
Naustin 1-3
Paloma has two rather distinct floors
with different DJs and atmospheres,
and both have lots of room to dance.
The upper level tends to be more
mainstream dance/EDM and downstairs
skews darker and weirder with niche
electronic styles. Both make for a great
place to cut loose.
Previous Winners
2016: Kiki Queer Bar
2015: Kiki Queer Bar
2014: Kiki Queer Bar
2013: Harlem (RIP)
2012: Bakkus (RIP)
Best newcomer bar
Pablo Discobar
Veltusund 1
This brand new fancy-ass cocktail club
is a completely unique and welcome
addition to Reykjavík’s nightlife and it’s
causing quite a stir! It’s rather upscale
and you need to book a table and check
your bank account before you go throw
down for a lot of their acrobatically
mixed drinks, but the experience is en-
tirely worth it. The place has a gorgeous
70s tiki lounge/Boogie Nights décor and
the throwback disco music is on point.
Bienvenido!
Runners Up
Veður
Klapparstígur 33
This beautifully designed new bar
looks really fancy, but it has a laid-back
atmosphere, serves a great selection of
cocktails and beer, and plays excellent
music. The weekend nighttime crowd
is a bit American Psycho, but that’s not
without its charm.
Bazaar Oddsson
Hringbraut 121
This new bar, located just outside of the
city centre in the Oddsson hotel, boasts
beautiful interior design and a cool-but-
very-expensive private karaoke room.
The service and food can be patchy, but
with some cool shows booked ahead,
we have high hopes for it and we’re glad
it’s here.
Previous Winners
2016: Bryggjan Brugghús
2015: Mikkeller & Friends
2014: Húrra
2013: Kaldi
2012: Slippbarinn, Hótel Marína
Best place to watch
sports over a beer
Lebowski Bar
Laugavegur 20a
Like the Icelandic football team’s unlike-
ly and triumphant rise to near-glory in
Euro 2016, Lebowski Bar boldly takes
the gold for the first time in this cate-
gory. This giant diner-like theme bar is
smack in the centre of town, and takes
the prize for its particularly fantastic
coverage of the aforementioned sport-
ing event, as well as the last Olympics.
It’s got all the beers and drinks you need
to celebrate wins or mourn losses, plus
tasty burgers and shakes. Gooooal!
Runners Up
Bjarni Fel
Austurstræti 20
Formerly the only sports bar in town,
Bjarni Fel used to win this category by
default. It’s still a perfect place to watch
sports games unbothered by any other
shenanigans. It has many screens, an
up-to-date schedule of events to be
screened, and delivers sports singularly
to the thirsty fan.
Rauða Ljónið
Eiðistorg 15, 170 Seltjarnarnes
It’s out of the way in a weird little mall
from a bygone era, but this fami-
ly-restaurant-by-day, sports-bar-by-
night is a place that’s worth trekking
to for a taste of local culture. It’s the
official bar of the KR football club,
and rumour has it you might spot the
president there.
Previous Winners
2016: American Bar
2015: Bjarni Fel
2014: Bjarni Fel
2013: Bjarni Fel
2012: Úrilla Górillan (RIP)
Best beer selection
Microbar
Vesturgata 2
Microbar is back in the beer throne
after being ousted for the last couple of
years. Its new cosier location has gained
them points for the calm atmosphere
and the helpful bar staff. They still boast
their classic local beer tastings for the
brew connoisseur as well as a huge
selection of beers for the casual taster.
Their selection is just as wide as runners
up Skúli and Mikkeller, but they edged
them out by serving larger portions of
the same beers for the same price.
Runners Up
Mikkeller & Friends
Hverfisgata 12
Last year’s winner holds onto second
place thanks to a unique selection of
Mikkeller beers and beyond, poured
by knowledgeable bartenders amongst
antique-chic décor. Located upstairs
from Hverfisgata 12, you also get the
advantage of good weekend DJs, and
fancy bar snacks and pizzas.
Skúli Craft Bar
Aðalstræti 9
A cool environment in a great location,
Skúli has a strong presence in this cat-
egory with its vast selection of brews,
although the prices can be steep for
the serving size. “It has Cards Against
Humanity and there’s one bartender
who sometimes plays death metal,” said
the panel.
Previous Winners
2016: Mikkeller & Friends
2015: Skúli Craft Bar
2014: Micro Bar
2013: Micro Bar
2012: Micro Bar