Reykjavík Grapevine - 14.10.2018, Side 30

BEST OF REYKJAVÍK
Best Artist-
Run Space
Winner: Listastofan
Hringbraut 119
Listastofan was heaped with
praise by our panel, who loved
the youthful energy and diver-
sity of its programme. “It has
a constant rotation of work,
with a new exhibition opening
every other week,” they said.
“They also do workshops, have
darkrooms for photographers
and studio spaces—there’s a
whole community of artists
based around the space.” Lis-
tastofan’s motto is ‘Be Young
And Shut Up,’ and they live up
to it—the gallery provides an
invaluable platform for emerg-
ing artists who are between
graduation and securing sup-
port from the more established
galleries. It’s also a bridge be-
tween Icelandic and expatriate
artists in Reykjavík.
Runner-up:
Gallery Port
Laugavegur 23
This discrete space tucked away
on Laugavegur is a sparky and
interesting spot with a fast-
moving and varied exhibition
programme. “They’re trying
to fuck shit up,” said the panel.
“They do different things all
the time. You never know what
you’ll see there. It’s an anti-art-
snob gallery.”
Newcomer: Iðnó
Vonarstræti 3
It might seem odd to call such a
classic space a “newcomer,” but
this music hall has been tak-
en over by a new energy lately.
“The new organisation run-
ning Iðnó host everything from
poetry readings to drag work-
shops,” said the panel. “They’ve
taken one of the most magical
spaces in Reykjavík and filled it
with the best people.”
CITY GUIDE
Barflies Unite
The Downtown bar safari gets
five new watering holes
Words: John Rogers & Hannah Jane Cohen
Photos: Timothée Lambrecq & Art Bicnick
Reykjavík’s bar scene has been in a
state of relative stasis over the last
year or two. Since the miniature
craft bar revolution, the handful of
new places that have appeared have
been upscale restaurant-bars or
speciality bars—the kind of places
you’d primarily go to for lunch, or a
civilised wine. Recently, however,
five new “proper” bars appeared on
the radar, almost simultaneously.
Binge-drinkers, barflies, flappers
and flaneurs, rejoice!
Bastard Brew & Food
Vegamótastígur 4
This massive new gastropub is
ambitious in scale, with a micro
brewery on the first f loor, two
ground floor bar rooms, and a large
awning-covered yard. They have
a wide variety on the taps, more
centred on easy-going session lagers
and beers than challenging sours
and existentially dark stouts, and
a kick-ass bar menu (try the house
burger, served with beef brisket
on the patty, homemade salsa, and
pickled jalapenos). On weekdays,
it’s a chill place for lunch or a few
after work beers, and there are DJs
on weekends. JR
Session Bar
Bankastræti 14
Several of Reykjavík’s top barmen
and beer nerds banded together to
open this spacious craft bar in a pri-
mo Bankastræti location. The décor
is still a bit of a work in progress,
but you can’t argue with the selec-
tion on offer: there are 16 brews to
try, from tried-and-tested faves like
Mikkeller & Friends to interesting
Icelandic micro-brews, exotic oddi-
ties like a pina colada beer and their
signature Session range. JR.
The Irishman
Klapparstígur 27
I f your idea of f un i nvolves
pints of Guinness and Kilkenny
soundtracked by Irish jig music,
have we got a place for you! The
Irishman is the latest Reykjavík at-
tempt at making Irish pubs cool.
With a spacious wrap-around bar
and a great downtown location, this
one has a better chance than most;
while it is undeniably cheesy, there’s
something endearing about this ef-
fort, like a tiny, cartoonishly Dub-
lin-themed Disney World located on
Klapparstígur. It’s like St. Patrick’s
Day, every day! HJC
Miami
Hverfisgata 33
Reyjavík’s other new out-and-proud
theme bar—so new it’s still throw-
ing pre-parties at the time of writ-
ing, and threatening to open soon—
takes on the Magic City of the ‘80s.
With a sharp aesthetic that’s miles
ahead of any other joint in town,
Miami serves up pure vice with a
splash of cosmopolitanism and a
dedicated ping-pong room in the
basement. It’s pricey, but the cock-
tail menu was crafted by veterans
of the Reykjavík mixology scene,
and the wine and champagne list is
well-curated. If you’re a high roller,
grab a bottle of Dom Perignon P2
Vintage 1998 for 190,000 ISK. You’ll
feel just like you’re in ‘Scarface,’ mi-
nus the massacres and mountains
of cocaine. HJC
Brewdog
Frakkastígur 8
The Scottish-owned Brewdog chain
comes to Reykjavík this year. Start-
ed in 2007 by two friends who were
dismayed by the monotony of main-
stream lagers, Brewdog started out
selling their beers at markets and
from the back of a van. Now, their
business has grown into a craft beer
empire with over 1000 employees,
70,000 investors in their innova-
tive “Equity for Punks” scheme, and
46 bars worldwide. It hasn’t opened
yet, but keep an eye on our website
and we’ll sure to let you know when
it does. JR
30The Reykjavík Grapevine
Issue 14— 2018
Yay, more places to go and get fucked up
Best of Reykjavík
“You’ll feel just
like you’re in
‘Scarface,’ minus
the massacres
and mountains
of cocaine.”
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.