Reykjavík Grapevine - 01.06.2022, Page 24

The Reykjavík Grapevine
Best of Reykjavík 2022
24
It’s been two years of off-and-on single-or-double flip-cup-flip-flop-
ping, but as of 2022, bars are officially back in action—and oh, how
we needed it! This year was certainly a standout for our local scene.
Not only were bar-goers finally safe to sink their extremely appre-
ciative teeth back into the weekly "djamma", but new spots and old
classics stepped up to the plate swinging to give ‘em what they want-
ed. So cue the orchestra (and the Opal) as we gather once again to
celebrate the best that Reykjavík nightlife has to offer. Because let’s
be real: Icelanders love to drink. In fact, there is probably nothing
Icelanders like doing more than drinking, which could be why this
country doesn’t have a space program…
Best Goddamn Bar
Röntgen
Hverfisgata 12
The panel’s unanimous choice—once again!— was an obvious one:
Röntgen. Why? Well, this place has it all. “It’s crazy how it’s continued
to dominate the bar scene in Reykjavík,” one panellist raved. “But it’s
just got so many elements: you can have a meeting there during the day,
pre-dinner drinks after work and then head there again hours later for
a full-on dance-till-you-die party night. It works for every vibe, which
is so rare for a bar.” Despite only appearing on the downtown scene a
few years ago, the place has already cemented itself among the nightlife
legends. We bow down, Röntgen. Wear your crown with pride.
Runners-Up
Gaukurinn
Tryggvagata 22
You want a rock concert? They got it.
Looking for drag? They got that, too.
Comedy? Yes. Burlesque? Totally. Weirdly
lit karaoke nights? You fucking bet. Yes,
Gaukurinn is a place all its own. This
grungy-in-the-best-way haunt offers
the most unique lineup in the city, with
an ambitious roster of events that
you’re unlikely to see anywhere else.
They also have gender neutral bath-
rooms and free tampons. Not that that
won them the award, it’s just cool, is all.
Kaffibarinn
Bergstaðastræti 1
Ahh… Kaffibarinn. While many Reykjavík
bars come and go, redecorate, rename
or put on bells and whistles, Kaffibarinn
has stayed the course for almost three
decades—because it’s just a really
good, reliable place. You’ll never have
a boring night at KB. It’s no ordinary
watering hole.
Previous Winners
2021: Röntgen
2020: Kaffibarinn
2019: Kaffibarinn
BEST OF REYKJAVÍK 2022
Drinking
Tipsy or wasted, the choice is yours
Best Place To Start The Night
Jungle Cocktail Bar
Austurstræti 9
It was a unanimous decision for the
panel to name Jungle Cocktail Bar as
the “Best Place To Start The Night”—a
surprise for such a competitive
category. “Jungle’s vibe naturally caters
to an early night crowd. It’s stylish and
airy, and, of course, they have the most
innovative and delicious cocktails in
the city,” enthused one panel member.
“You want a Jungle cocktail to start
your night—better than having one
later when you can’t savour it as much!”
The panel also praised the bar’s diver-
sity—noting how attendees spanned
all ages and demographics. “It’s just
a crowd-pleaser,” another panellist
concluded.
Runners-Up
Stereo
Skólavörðustígur 8
Stereo—a true hole-in-the-wall, or
rather, hole-on-the-second-floor—has
a devoted clientele, and for good
reason. The trendy haunt overlooks
Skólavörðustígur and offers cocktails
on tap in a cosy environment. “Not only
do they have refined drinks, but the
80s-esque design motifs are beautiful,”
one panellist raved. “It’s calming and
sophisticated, just a great vibe.”
Mikki Refur
Hverfisgata 18
Mikki Refur does it all. The bright café/
bar has an expert selection of beer,
wine and appertativos and a prime
location that makes it a great place
to start the night—or bring a date.
“It’s friendly, inviting and a one-size-
fit-all place to start a night,” our panel
determined. “There’s something there
for everyone.”
Previous Winners
2021: Kaldi
2020: Veður
2019: Veður
Best Place To End The Night
Kaffibarinn
Bergstaðastræti 1
Let’s be real: there’s a reason that
Kaffibarinn is still here and full of
dedicated regulars. At night, you’ll find
the crowd gets rowdy, the convos get
interesting and the dance floor gets
sweaty in the most wonderful way. “It’s
the obvious choice,” said a panellist.
“Who doesn’t have some crazy story
from closing time in the smoking area
at Kaffibarinn?” The rest of the panel
wholeheartedly agreed. In fact, we
urge you to ask around so you can
be shocked by how many longtime
couples met there circa ~4:00 a.m. Hint:
a LOT! So yes, for their service to late
night amusement and love, KB deserves
this award. Bravo, old chum.
Runners-Up
Kiki Queer Bar
Laugavegur 22
There’s no better late-night dance
floor than the pumping upstairs hub
of Reykjavík’s resident queer space,
which plays the greatest dance hits
of the past 30 years and attracts a
clientele that is ready to let loose. You
know, those “OH MY GOD I LOVE THIS SONG”
tracks you need to hear late at night?
Yes, we mean “Euphoria” by Loreen, and
you can bet they’ll play it twice.
Prikið
Bankastræti 12
Prikið is the bar version of the “I’m
going to bed early tonight vs. me at
3 a.m.” meme. At 22:00 you’ll have a
bunch of regulars relaxing at the bar,
but arrive at 3:00 and it’s Project X.
The panel noted that while it certainly
caters to a younger audience, their
concerts are for the record books. You
won’t find a crazier crowd than at a rap
show at Prikið.
Previous Winners
2021: Kiki Queer Bar
2020: Prikið
2019: Kaffibarinn