Reykjavík Grapevine - 20.04.2018, Page 24

SELECTION FROM
BEST OF REYKJAVÍK 2018
Best God-
damned Bar
Mikkeller & Friends
Hverfisgata 12
Located upstairs from one of
the best damn pizza places in
town is this super cool bar ded-
icated to one of Denmark’s fin-
est breweries. Their astound-
ing and extensive beer list is
exceeded only by the staff’s ex-
pertise and congeniality. “It’s a
great place to start a night with
a couple of really good qual-
ity beers,” said one panellist.
“There’s always something new
to try,” said another referring
to the bar’s regular guest brew-
ery takeovers. Antique Reykja-
vík décor and the wafting smell
of pizza are just added bonuses.
An absolute must-try for any
discerning beer aficionado.
Runners-up:
MicroBar
Vesturgata 2
Down in a large dim cellar in
the bottom of downtown, you
find this beer barrel heaven
with an ever-changing and di-
verse menu of tasty brews. It
has a great open indoor-garden
feeling, still intimate enough
to have a great date or to just
sample until you’re sloshed.
Skúli Craft Bar
Aðalstræti 9
This one’s also pretty much a
no-brainer, given that it’s the
kind of place that everyone can
(and will) go to. There’s plenty
of space to chill, plenty of space
to dance, a great concert pro-
gramme, and it’s totally mad
on weekend nights. It’s still
young, but it’s definitely a cool
kid.
CITY GUIDE
Reykjavík’s
Alternative Facts: A
Goth Day In The City
Dress to depress.
Words: Hannah Jane Cohen Photos: Verði ljós
Travelling as a goth is always a
struggle. Your metal chains get
caught in airport security, ho-
tels serve up f loral duvet cov-
ers, and minibars lack absinthe.
What’s a ghoul to do? Never fear
though, fellow saturnine sightse-
ers. Here’s a day in Reykjavík that
Brandon Lee would be proud of.

Breakfast: Black Coffee
At Reykjavík Roasters
Kárastígur 1 & Brautarholt 2
The interior of Reykjavík Roasters
does not scream goth. In fact,
it’s quite the opposite, with a
cosy intellectual vibe that’s more
Sigur Rós than Sisters Of Mercy.
That said, they’ve got the darkest
brews in the city, so grab a double
espresso and cuddle up to your
worn-in paperback Anne Rice.
Pro-tip: Avoid the window seats
if you want to keep your porcelain
complexion.
Shopping: Records At
Geisladiskabúð Valda
Laugavegur 64
Just a short slither away is Geis-
ladiskabúð Valda, a tucked away
treasure chest filled to the brim
with goodies. While it sells every-
thing from Spiderman comics to
Super Mario for Nintendo 64, their
selection of goth, rock, and metal
music is unequivocally the best in
the country. Dig around for releases
from Icelandic black metal cassette
label Vánagandr, sleazy horror
films, and even bizarro objects like
a bootleg Japanese Nightwish CD.
Be careful though, you don’t want
to chip your black nail varnish.

Lunch: Sheep’s Head At
BSÍ
Vatnsmýrarvegi 10
Nex t to burn i ng dow n Ha l l-
grímskirkja, there is nothing
more metal in Iceland than eat-
ing a sheep’s head. While you can
grab one yourself at any grocery
store, pay homage to your mall-
goth roots and eat one at the bus
station. Pick up some bitter li-
quorice for dessert, then get bitter.

Activity: Ghost Stories
& Photoshoot At
Hólavallagarður
Suðurgata
If your VampireFreaks profile needs
some fresh blood, time warp your
way to the Hólavallagarður ceme-
tery in Vesturbær. There, enter into
the canon of Icelandic ghost stories
(‘draugasögur’), most of which are
available online, with an impromp-
tu story hour. Start with ‘The Dea-
con Of Dark River’ then journey into
deep cuts like ‘The Midwife Of The
Elves’. Finish your afternoon with
some dark photographic documen-
tation in front of the Mausoleum,
which is sometimes left open.
Shopping: Rokk &
Rómantík
Laugavegur 62
Before you enter the dark abyss
of Reykjavík nightlife, pick up
some abysmally dark clothing at
Rokk & Rómantik. They’re the
only place to find vinyl corsets,
platform boots, Killstar t-shirts,
and mesh dresses in the city.
Night: Cocktails & A
Concert At Gaukurinn
Tryggvagata 22
Gaukurinn is the dedicated alt-
haunt for Reykjavík’s resident weir-
do population. Not only does it play
(g)host to most metal/goth/rock
shows in the city, but it also has reg-
ular screenings of Buffy, bimonthly
drag extravaganzas and occasional
BDSM nights. Along with a grungy
vibe, their cocktail menu is also
aesthetically fitting. Start with the
Goth Moss, a matte black play on
a Cosmopolitan that’s straight out
of Studio 54 Transylvania. Next,
grab a Black Metal Brew— a potent
mix of Brennivín, Fernet and dark
stout. Then loiter in the smoking
area and suck on a Djarum Black.
Congrat ulations, you’ve com-
pletely lived up to the stereotype.
24The Reykjavík Grapevine
Issue 06 — 2018Best of Reykjavík
Make sure to dye your roots Black #1 before venturing out...
ramen
momo
“ The
Icelandic
ramen ”
Tryggvagata 16
Open 11:30-22:00
saegreif inn. is
Geirsgata 8 • 101 Reykjavík • Tel. 553 1500 • seabaron8@gmail.com
An absolute
must-try!
Saegreifinn restaurant (Sea Baron) is like none other
in Iceland; a world famous lobster soup and a diverse
fish selection.