Reykjavík Grapevine - Sep 2020, Page 26

The Reykjavík Grapevine
Best of Reykjavík 2020
26
Best Place For Live Music
Gaukurinn
Tryggvagata 22
The queen of Reykjavík’s grungy bar scene, Gaukurinn is currently
the dank home of the city’s queer and alt-culture. With the best sound
system in the city, the bar puts on events almost every night—from
heavy metal fests to goth nights to drag shows to all manner of ec-
centricities. It also operates a proactive safe space policy for LGBTQ+
gig goers and features gender neutral bathrooms (and free tampons)!
Gaukurinn has consistently been on the forefront of Icelandic music,
and many of the biggest and edgiest Icelandic acts—from Hatari to
Misþyrming—played their first shows there.
Runners-Up
MENGI
Óðinsgata 2
You never know what you’re going to
get at Mengi. The venue is known for
their brilliant and eclectic program-
ming. On any given night you might
catch an intimate low-fi electronica
release or an experimental cowbell
symphony. For those looking for the
avant-garde in the city, you’ve found it.
Harpa
Austurbakka 2
When it comes to a grand musical ex-
perience—cushy seats, bubbly cham-
pagne, posh clientele, the works—you
just can’t compare to Reykjavík’s iconic
concert hall. Behind the glittering glass
facade, Harpa plays host to a diverse
roster, from the Icelandic Symphony
Orchestra’s regular performances to
biweekly jazz nights and the occasional
famous superstar. Don’t it feel nice to
be fancy?
Previous Winners
2019: IÐNÓ (RIP)
2017-8: Húrra (RIP)
2015: Café Rosenberg (RIP)
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?”
Runners-Up
Miami
Hverfisgata 33
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 yuppies
get there. The interior is just crazy, and
a must-see in itself.”
Bravó
Laugavegur 22
We’ve all had that moment—it’s 11:00,
your girlfriend just left you for your
brother, and all you need is a warm seat
sip your problems away in. Enter Bravó,
the long-time title-holder of the longest
happy hour in the city, where everyday
from 11:00 to 20:00 (!!!), you can sip
cheap beers, wines and shots among
some seriously dedicated regulars.
Girlfriend who?
Previous Winners
2018-9: Kaffibrennslan
2015-6: Húrra (RIP)
2014: Café Rosenberg (RIP)
BEST OF REYKJAVÍK 2020
Drinking
Why have just one happy hour
when you can have nine?
Best Newcomer Bar
Röntgen
Hverfisgata 12
Here we are—another unanimous
winner! Since it opened but months ago,
Röntgen has charmed the party-goers
of Reykjavík. “They are doing something
ambitious and fun. It looks great. It has
good energy, good cocktails, and a
great dance floor,” one panel member
announced. This prompted a giggle out
of another panelist. “Yes, I have done
some stupid dancing there and it was
always accepted.” It’s safe to say that
there hasn’t been a bar that has so
quickly found its audience, and we can’t
wait to see what Röntgen gets up to.
Runners-Up
Vínstúkan Tíu Sopar
Laugavegur 27
Every oenophile—wine connoisseur, for
the uninitiated—knows that to truly
appreciate wine, it’s imperative to find
a quiet and undistracting environment.
Vínstúkan Tíú Sopar is a cosy basement
bar perfectly made for this. The menu is
varied, the bartenders knowledgeable,
and the location ideal for starting out
a night, which made it an easy pick for
runner-up.
Jungle Cocktail Bar
Austurstræti 9
Jungle is a back-to-basics mixology
haven. Filled with cosy leather couches,
the bar has already—in its short time—
elevated the downtown cocktail scene
with its unusual, innovative, and frankly
delicious drinks. Stop by, take a seat,
and prepare for some of the wildest
mixes you’ll find in Reykjavík.
Previous Winners
2019: Luna Flórens & BrewDog
2018: Veður
2017: Pablo Discobar
[ HOTELS, RESTAURANTS & SPA
IN THE HEART OF REYKJAVÍK ]
Stay like a local
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Amtmannsstígur 1, Down town center - www.thelobsterhouse.is - Tel: (+354) 561-3303