Reykjavík Grapevine - maj 2019, Side 26

The Reykjavík Grapevine
Best of Reykjavík 2019
26
Best Place For Live Music
IÐNÓ
Vonarstræti 3
This beautiful, classic concert hall has been rejuvenated into the new
heart of the 101 music scene. From release concerts to collaborative
gigs to one-day festivals and all-out parties, the kool kids of Reykjavík
are putting their concerts on here; the creative, buzzing atmosphere
and varied events have made it into a thrilling creative hub for the
city. “People who chase music are going to IÐNÓ,” said the panel.
“There’s room to move, and it’s labyrinthine inside. It’s having a real
moment. It’s been a slow transition, but IÐNÓ is just where the music
scene is right now.”
Runners Up
Gaukurinn
Tryggvagata 22
Gaukurinn has become the thriving
centre of of the city’s alt-music scene,
including heavy music, goth shit, noise
and drag. “It’s a huge place for the
punk, goth and metal scenes,” said
the panel. “The geeks you knew in high
school are now handsome bad boys in
leather jackets.”
MENGI
Óðinsgata 2
Although you can get a drink, MENGI isn’t
exactly a bar—it’s a white cube venue
that’s like Gaukurinn’s cool grown-up
auntie. “You get an ASMR feeling,” said
the panel. “You go just for music. They
have something going on most days,
and it’s always on time. For their con-
sistently brilliant programming, MENGI
deserves recognition.”
Previous Winners:
2017-8: Húrra 2015: Café Rosenberg (RIP)
Best Smoking Area
Boston
Laugavegur 28b
In the winter season, a good smoking
area is all about being sheltered from
the elements. Here, Boston excels—the
vast balcony smoking area is totally
covered, with heaters and sofas, like
a smokers’ paradise. “It’s super well
heated,” smiled the smokers on the
panel. “It’s like a summer house.” One
aesthete remarked: “I really like the
interior—if they would paint the smok-
ing area black to match, I’d be even
happier.” Due to the tented design, the
ventilation perhaps isn’t the best, but
hey, at least you won’t freeze your lips
off when you’re trying to have a fag.
Runners Up
Hressó
Austurstræti 20
With a massive, well-ventilated tent
area featuring picnic tables, ashtrays
and countless heaters, you might well
forget you’re outside at all when you go
for a cigarette at Hressó. Smoke your
face off and get lost in your conversa-
tion without feeling like you’re in the
arctic—and rejoice!
Kaffibarinn
Bergstaðastræti 1
Kaffibarinn’s tiny, unassuming smoking
area is one of the best you’ll find for
conversation. “It only seats seven
asses, and it’s a total bottleneck,” said
the panel. “People huddle like penguins
in the arctic—that's how we Icelanders
get through the winter. But that’s where
some of my most fascinating 3 a.m.
situations have happened.”
Previous Winners
2018: Boston
2017: Hressó
BEST OF REYKJAVÍK 2019
Drinking
Why have just one happy hour
when you can have nine?
Best Happy Hour
Kaffibrennslan
Laugavegur 21
The former Hemmi og Valdi is still a firm
favourite for those who like a bargain
beer. At 550 ISK a pop for beers and
750 ISK for wines from 16:00-20:00, in a
beautiful, comfortable wooden house,
you can’t really argue. “It’s such a nice
house,” said one panellist. “I had my first
snog there. It’s cheap and easy, with a
really good vibe.” The panel also praised
the “location, location, location. It has a
perfect outdoor area for summer, and
you can sit upstairs in the rafters in
winter. Cheap beer and a nice place to
sit, what more could you want?”
Runner Up
Slippbarinn
Mýrargata 2
A hotel bar famous for making cocktails
in Reykjavík before they were cool, to-
day’s Slippbarinn has a kick-ass happy
hour. “You can get a beer for 500 ISK,
and 1200 ISK cocktails,” said the panel.
“It’s a huge hallway with weird nooks,
crannies and lounges to hide in. And
there’s a fireplace!”
MIAMI
Hverfisgata 33
NEWCOMER Although nonplussed
by the late night crowd, our panel love
the good prices and plush interior of
the MIAMI design bar. “They have all the
fancy beers on happy hour, with table
service,” they said. “It’s great before all
the assholes get there and ruin it. The
interior is just crazy, and a must-see
in itself.”
Previous Winners
2018: Kaffibrennslan
2015-6: Húrra
2014: Café Rosenberg (RIP)
“Your first and last stop”