Atlantica - 01.03.2001, Side 50

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48 A T L A N T I C A
In the beginning, 12 Tónar record store in Reykjavík
placed an almost exclusive emphasis on classical
music, and in the intervening five years the shop has
made its mark with a signature schizophrenic collec-
tion of the work of renaissance and 20th century
composers. The guys that own the place, Lalli and
Jóhannes, have a love of music that has spilled
almost osmotically onto the shelves. Today, there is
an impressive and growing electronic music section,
and by the time this has gone to print the shop will
have relocated and this section expanded to cover a
whole floor.
Besides that, they have hand-picked the best of the
reggae, jazz, world music, rock and blues recordings
that have come their way, and added to this anything
that has peaked their eclectic interest in record
review sections. A fine example of their hunting spirit
is a three-part vinyl release entitled Soothing Sounds
For Baby.
As things are, at the moment, classical music enthu-
siasts are rubbing along nicely with the electro
crowd, but the move will give everyone a little more
space to settle down with a cup of coffee and some
headphones till they find what they were looking for,
or maybe even something else altogether. JMcC
The sign outside this place is smashed, and you pass
through metal grilling on the run-up to the entrance.
Inside it’s dark, moody and more than a bit scruffy,
with old leather chairs slumped in the corners. But if
you want to shoot pool then this place is suitably
shady. There are four pool tables and four snooker
tables – give the guy at the bar ISK 720 (about USD
9) and one of them is yours for an hour.
While you’re waiting for a table, or in between
games, there’s computer darts to contend with, a
wide screen showing music television (when there’s
no sports stuff on) and a good, old-fashioned chess-
board. Should you be hoping to see a particular
match though, give them a call first to check that
they’re showing it, but as a rule they put on most of
the Premier League matches.
In all honesty, you wouldn’t go here to drink, if you didn’t want to shoot pool. The bar is very rudimentary: “we have candy
now though,” says the guy behind it, “and toasted sandwiches so at least people won’t starve”. Which is all just as it should
be: a bare-bones pool hall, and no messing around. JMcC
Snóker Sport Bar, Hverfisgata 46, open weekdays 4 p.m. to around 1 a.m./2 a.m., weekends from 2 p.m. to around 2 a.m./
3 a.m., tel (+354) 552 5300.
Your Break
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12 Tónar, Skólavördurstígur 15, open Mon.–Fri. 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.–2 p.m., first Sat. of each month 10 a.m.–5p.m.,
tel. (+354) 511 5656.
Osmotic Notes
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