Reykjavík Grapevine - 01.06.2022, Blaðsíða 22

The Reykjavík Grapevine
Best of Reykjavík 2022
22
www.thelaundromatcafe.com
NOT TO BRAG ......... BUT :)
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Höfuðstöðin
Rafstöðvarvegur 1a,
110 Reykjavík
Höfuðstöðin is a new art and
culture destination that opened
recently in Reykjavík. The space
will permanently house the mon-
umental installation Chromo Sa-
piens by Hrafnhildur Arnardót-
tir, aka Shoplifter—an Icelandic
artist based in New York. Hö-
fuðstöðin also includes a cafe
and a design store, with most of
its furniture made from recycled
plastic. IZ
Sirkus
Lækjargata 6B, 101 Reykjavík
OK, it may not be totally new,
but it’s definitely back in town,
at long last. After shutting its
doors in 2007, the legendary and
beloved Sirkus is now reclaim-
ing Reykjavík nightlife, only this
time at Lækjargata 6B. The re-
incarnated locale hopes to bring
back its famous party vibes and
acclaim with live music, Mama
Rama Indian food, and classic
games of darts and pool in the
basement. Go experience Icelan-
dic nostalgia at its best. AP
Loo.Koo.Mas
Laugavegur 30, 101 Reykjavík
Sure, donuts are cool, but have
you ever had loukoumas? These
Greek “donuts”—more accurate-
ly described as fried dough, tra-
ditionally drizzled with honey,
cinnamon and sesame seeds—
are a light, crispy, airy treat that
you can pick up at Loo.koo.mas.
Served with a homespun charm,
loukoumas are fried to order, al-
ways fresh, and make for a great
snack while enjoying some win-
dow shopping. We recommend
the chocolate and cream top-
ping—yum! ASF
Lemmy
Austurstræti 20, 101 Reykjavík
This quirky rock ‘n’ roll joint—
named after the late legend-
ary singer of Motörhead—has
popped up on the main drag
downtown. You can't miss the
lurid cerise signs and windows
filled with kitsch and toys from
previous decades, guaranteed to
draw a nostalgic “Oooooh!” from
any passing Gen-Xer. Inside, the
bar offers food, live music—of-
ten a drummer playing with a
DJ—and a snug vibe. And if snug-
ness isn’t your thing, Lemmy has
outdoor seating for smokers and
really hardcore rockers who have
JD and coke for blood. JP
Smass
Ægissíða 123, 101 Reykjavík
We know what you’re thinking:
great, another hamburger joint.
But hear us out. A few Icelan-
dic lads ran a burger place in
Denmark for a while but moved
home only to find out that there
was no smash-style burger place
in Reykjavík. These guys opened
up Smass in Reykjanesbær and
Reykjavík, and, in short, it’s been
a smash hit! This is the place you
go to get a real American cheese-
burger with a Nordic twist. And
man, that Nordic twist is actu-
ally...wait for it...smashing! VG
Kaffi Ó-le
Hafnastraeti 11, 101 Reykjavík
If you were born in Iceland in
the early 80s, you just might
remember the name Kaffi Ó-le.
Hearing it may even overwhelm
you with nostalgia, memories of
lost loves or nicotine poisoning.
Kaffi Ó-le was once the name of
the local haunt of the young genX
cool kids, but is now a slick coffee
house next to the Radisson 1919
Hotel. Sounds like the revolution
ate its children. Don’t fret, GenX
never believed in anything any-
ways. But we can tell you right
now, the coffee at the new Ó-le is
way better than we used to drink.
VG
NEW IN TOWN
Bustling Pandemic
Boom
Reykjavík is back, baby
Words: John Pearson, Iryna Zubenko, Andie Sophia
Fontaine, Valur Grettison
Although you might have expected COVID-19 to have dampened spir-
its, it seems like Iceland didn’t get the memo. New places have sprung
up all over town, from art spaces to restaurants to fancy new hotels
and bars. We’re not sure where the proprietors got the chutzpah to
launch a new venture in the middle of a pandemic, but we sure enjoy
reaping the benefits.
Delicious food
Fine wines
Tasty cocktails
Good vibes
@skuggabaldurbar
Every night from 8 pm
Find more reviews of
new-in-town spots on our
website: gpv.is