Iceland review - 2014, Síða 31

ICELAND REVIEW 29
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THE ENGLISH PUB
Save water, drink beer!
Since beer was finally allowed by law in 1989,
Iceland has enjoyed a diverse selection of
restaurants and often sophisticated bars.
However, one tiny grumble occasionally surfaced
from the country’s Anglophiles (a person who
likes the way of the English) – simply that there
was no proper “pub”.
And so the English Pub was born. From
modest beginnings it has built a hearty
reputation, seeking out, with the advice and
guidance of its dedicated customers, the finest
ale available to mankind. Today it offers its
enthusiastic clientele the chance to sample 50
beers from around the world, as well as a
staggering 15 Icelandic brands.
Whisky galore
Not content to rest on its laurels, the English
Pub has ventured north of its virtual border
and also offers the finest selection of whiskies
anywhere in the country. The choice of some
60 malts include many of Scotland’s finest,
ensuring that numerous Icelanders and
worldly travelers make the pilgrimage to the
pub’s humble door.
Located at the very heart of downtown
Reykjavik, the walls of the English Pub are
adorned with hundreds of photographs – like
an album of the city’s history just waiting to
be explored over a quiet beer.
A sporting chance
Live sporting coverage is amply catered for,
with a choice of five big HD-screens and TVs.
Inside the pub there is room for up to 150
people, and an outdoor terrace can accommo-
date plenty more on those balmy Icelandic
evenings, as well as during the warm days of
summer! Whether it is football (Premier and
Champions League), rugby or golf, there are
always special offers when live events are
being broadcasted.
Live music every night adds to the
atmosphere and on the weekends dancing
into the hot Reykjavik night is far from
prohibited. For anyone feeling lucky, there is
the Wheel of Fortune. Regulars like nothing
more than to spin the wheel and chance a
“Sorry” or preferably win what used to be
called a Yard of Ale. These days, it’s inevitably
known as a meter of beer, but the winners
don’t seem to mind!
The English Pub
Austurstræti 12
101 Reykjavik
Tel: +354 578 0400
Mobile: +354 697 9003
www.enskibarinn.is
The Danish Bar, or Den Danske as it is often known, is a little
slice of Copenhagen nightlife with a Reykjavík twist.
What does this mean? Well, the place is decorated in Danish
style and is distinctly hyggelig—but the live music and the clientele
provide for a lively, Reykjavík atmosphere. And look out for the
ingenious fake windows, which give the place an added quirkiness.
It’s a winning combination, which has seen the Danish Bar rise
from an unknown new side-street-bar to a staple nightspot for
locals and visitors in just a couple of short years. It helps that Den
Danske was where the Reykjavík Happy Hour trend began. It’s
between 4 pm and 7 pm in case you’re wondering.
The Danish Bar has all your favorite Danish and international
tipples in stock, live sports, a sun deck for early and a dance floor
for late. There’s something different every night, including pub
quiz, bingo, live music and Scandinavian Night…
Den Danske is open from 12 pm to late and is at Ingólfstræti 3.
Den Danske kro