Reykjavík Grapevine - 01.06.2022, Blaðsíða 28

The Reykjavík Grapevine
Best of Reykjavík 2022
28
Best Newcomer Bar
Húrra
Tryggvagata 22
Ok, is it new? Questionable. But trust us: The panel debated exten-
sively about this, ultimately deciding that since its reopening, be-
loved Reykjavík venue Húrra has been so monumental and so suc-
cessful that it deserved the Best Newcomer award. Seriously, it lives
up to the hype, continuing its legacy of artsy vibes, good concerts,
and raucous weekly karaoke and dance floors. So if you want to min-
gle with the cool young artists of the city, Húrra is where it's at. BTW:
the renovations for the rotating roster of bizarre places that have
tried to fill the space over the last few years means that Húrra’s pre-
viously notoriously grungy bathrooms are now like marble and look
like Versace. Flex.
Runners-Up
Lemmy
Austurstræti 20
You’ve got to applaud a bar that
chooses a theme and then dials it
up to 11. Not only does it have truly
OTT decorations and a great playlist,
but also live music and DJ/drummer
combos from your fav rock musicians
in the city. “I love that they went all the
way,” one panellist raved. “It’s cheesy
in a tongue-in-cheek way. It’s like they
Googled “rock bar” and decided to go
full force. I love that.”
Auto
Lækjargata 2
“There is always a huge line for this
place—always. It’s rare to see a bar
this new be this popular,” one panel
member said of the newly opened
Auto, which took over the basement
of the Hard Rock Café earlier this year.
“For those that like the nightclub/table
service vibe, this is going to be their
favourite place and the only club they
go to. It’s filled a niche in the scene.”
Previous Winners
2021: Skuggabaldur
2020: Röntgen
Best Date Place
Port 9
Veghúsastígur 9
The Romantic Date: Cosy and tucked
away with a secretive vibe, Port 9 solves
the age-old problem in Reykjavík: where
can I go for a date where I won’t see a
tonne of people I know who will later
inundate me with texts about my new
paramour? Ah, détendez vous, mes
amis, for sitting at Port 9 feels like
you’re away from the rest of the world
and there seems to be an unspoken
bond of letting each other be. As one
panellist concluded: “If you want actual
romance, this is the only place to go.” So
get to flirting, chums.
12 Tónar
Skólavörðustígur 15
The Casual Date: 12 Tónar’s small bar
has managed to fly under many peo-
ple’s radars, despite being one of the
most unique spots in the city. “I would
feel very cool taking someone here on
a date. I feel like just sitting there would
provoke conversation,” laughed one
panel member. “We could relax outside
and talk music. It’s the perfect place for
a low-pressure afternoon date.”
Einstök Bar
Laugavegur 10
The Tinder Date: Einstök’s new down-
town bar is the definition of neutral
territory for meeting someone new.
“Everyone likes Einstök beer, the seating
is nice, and it’s super central,” our panel
determined. “So you can meet, see if
you vibe, and if it goes well, you’re in
the middle of downtown and can head
anywhere you want afterwards.”
Previous Winners
2021: Port 9
2020: Hlemmur Mathöll
Best Kept Secret
Luna Flórens
Grandagarður 25
Part flower-child, part spiritual guru
with a whole lot of whimsy thrown into
the mix, this is the place to go for floral
cocktails, cosy vibes, and maybe a slice
of vegan cake. As a bonus, you can also
grab a loaf of artisan bread next door
or walk out with a bag of healing crys-
tals or a rare succulent. And the thing
is, you may not think you need a lump
of amethyst and a saguaro cactus, but
after three of their cocktails you won’t
know how you ever lived without them.
So let your inner hippie free.
Runners-Up
The Reykjavík Edition
Austurbakki 2
We know everyone is talking about this
place but have you even visited? There
are a few areas to drink in Reykjavík’s
first 5-star hotel—from bar Tölt to the
highly praised restaurant Tides—but
the whole place will just blow you away
with its design and class. You don’t
have to stay at the hotel or eat at the
restaurant—we know it’s $$$—but stop
by, get a drink, and enjoy amaizing view.
Newcomer
Kokteilbarinn
Klapparstígur 28
We can hardly think of a bar that better
fits the bill of “Best Kept Secret” than
one that’s nestled inside a restaurant,
packed inside of a full-sized train car.
Inside the restaurant Monkeys, you
have a balloon-themed cocktail bar and
a champagne train car, which come to-
gether for a distinctly Phileas Fogg vibe.
Expect bright and fruity drinks with
ingredients such as yuzu, passionfruit,
roses, shiso and raspberries.
Previous Winners
2021: 12 Tónar
2020: RVK Brewing Company
BEST OF REYKJAVÍK 2022
Drinking
Pro-tip: Try the drinks!