Reykjavík Grapevine - 01.09.2023, Qupperneq 22

The Reykjavík Grapevine
Best of Reykjavík 2023
22
Best Sports Bar
Reykjavík Sportbar
Hverfisgata 40
As far as sports bars go, the panel all agreed that this bar was the perfect spot. You
can watch the game with the lads, have a drink with the lads, and even brush up on
your pool skills with the lads. “When I visit a sports bar, I want screens, I want a pool
table. I want a sports bar to have a specific atmosphere, and this place delivers,” a
panellist said. With their selection of various activities — think pool, foosball, darts
and the like — Reykjavík Sportbar caters to sports enthusiasts and non-fans alike.

Runners-up
Just Wingin’ It
Snorrabraut 56
Starting out in Garðabær, Just Wingin’
It has branched out to Snorrabraut.
Although technically a restaurant, the
place is great for a main dish of beer
with a side of wings. And sports? Well,
they got that. “There are screens ev-
erywhere. At one point I was watching
the NBA, NFL and the Premier League all
at the same time,” said one panellist.
“There was a crazy amount of energy.”
American Bar
Austurstræti 8
The bar of the free, and the bar of the
brave. Don’t let the giant statue of Uncle
Sam scare you away — he’s just there to
recruit you into day drinking. American
Bar screens all manner of sports, offers
a good selection of draft and bottled
beer, and features Reykjavík partygo-
ers’ favourite pastime, the Wheel of
Fortune. With its overall atmosphere
and focus on sports, American Bar
deserves a mention.
Previous Winners
2022: American Bar
2021: American Bar
2020: American Bar
Best Bar to Start the Night
12 Tónar
Skólavörðustígur 15
12 Tónar brings the concept of the
duality of man to the Reykjavík nightlife
scene. One part of you wants to chill out
and drink beer with some good friends.
The other needs a place to pregame
before going all out. “You can sort of
choose whether you go partying or
take it easier,” said one panellist. “You’re
sent straight to the middle of the atmo-
sphere and get all riled up,” contrasted
another. As mentioned previously, this
record store-cum-bar hosts all manner
of music events, ramping up its claim
for the best bar to start the night.

Runners-up
Bíó Paradís
Hverfisgata 54
Is it strange to call a cinema a bar? It
doesn’t need to be, as Bíó Paradís was
one of the first cinemas in Iceland to
start serving alcohol in its concession.
You don’t even need to see a movie. “Go-
ing there for drinks is a very romantic
idea,” said a panellist. “It’s an extremely
vibey place. What’s better than popcorn
and beer?” asked another. We can’t
think of anything.
Veður
Klapparstígur 33
Veður is a nice middle-ground for all
sorts of people to come together at the
start of the night. There always seems
to be enough space, as Veður also has
downstairs seating, accessible by a
wheelchair lift. They offer exquisite
cocktails and if you’re there during
happy hour (19:00-21:00), be prepared
to down a few before you start your
partying, or just enjoy your company,
chatting the night away.
Previous Winners
2022: Jungle Cocktail Bar
2021: Kaldi
2020: Veður
BEST OF REYKJAVÍK 2023
Drinking
Why have just one happy hour
when you can have nine?
OPEN 7 DAYS
11:30 – 23:00
Hlemmur Mathöll
EAT &
DRINK
Plates to share
Natural Wines
Craft Cocktails