Iceland review - 2004, Qupperneq 10

8 ICELAND REVIEW
REYKJAVÍK UNDERGROUND
When flying Icelandair last summer you may have spotted a most
peculiar advert on the in-flight screen. Picture a bar, on fire, and a
wasted and beaten up Thorgeir Gudmundsson (aka Singapore Sling
bassist and barfly) stumbling out. The caption beneath reads: Sirkus,
probably the best bar in the world. Of course that would depend on
your definition of a bar, but one thing is for sure: Sirkus is probably
the strangest and most delirious bar experience you’ll have in Reykja-
vík, a seedy little joint off central Laugavegur, in a shack painted on
the outside with gaudy palm trees and a faulty neon sign on the top.
Enter, and you’ll see a host of chain-smoking arty types squatting
around on haphazard tables and chairs. Walk in at three am after
queuing for half an hour and you’ll be hit with a tidal wave of bod-
ies, heaving and swaying to bizarre beats. Underground rock stars,
designers, art students, regular students and middle aged alcoholics
all form part of the colourful clientele. Their clothes are an amazing
collection of eighties fashions put together in almost circus-like style,
fitting well with the name of the bar. However, insiders insist on call-
ing it “Boston“ instead. To find out why, you’ll have to ask the bar-
tender. AMB
Sirkus, Klapparstígur
Klapparstíg 30
101 Reykjavík
KEEPING IT SIMPLE
“Hamborgarabúllan” is a refreshing change from the designer restau-
rants of late. Literally meaning “the hamburger joint” it opened in
May in an obscure grey building by the old Reykjavík harbour. Owner
Tommi, who also turns a deft hand in flipping burgers on the grill,
actually opened Reykjavík’s first burger joint in the early eighties fol-
lowed by the Hard Rock Café. This man sure knows how to do a good
burger: chargrilled, topped with cheddar and an optional portobello
mushroom, accompanied by crispy french fries and a milkshake. There
are diner-style tables and stools to perch on, but watch out for the
heavy crowds at noon. AMB
Hamborgarabúllan,
Tryggvagata 4-6
101 Reykjavík
Tel (+354) 511 1888
music-architecture-fashion-bars-
clubs-dining-attitude-people-etc.
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