Reykjavík Grapevine - 01.09.2023, Síða 31

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Burger
Beer
Darts
90's
Hiphop
"Best
Burger in
Reykjavik
2023"
Laugavegur 105
www.2guys.is
#1
Best Theater
Tjarnarbíó
Tjarnargata 12
This one really is a no-brainer.
It’s smack in the middle of
downtown Reykjavík, it has regular
performances in English, and it
caters to an incredibly diverse range
of performers and performances.
Despite the recent attempts of the
grand dames of theater, Reykjavík
City Theater and the National Theater,
to branch out into new avenues,
Tjarnarbíó manages to highlight
how staid they are in comparison.
Tjarnarbíó is an incredibly busy
theater with seemingly 1-2 premiers
a week, everything from dramas
dealing with burning social issues to
interactive shows for babies. All while
retaining a doggedly independent
spirit.
Runner-up
Gaflaraleikhúsið
Víkingastræti 2 (Hafnarfjöður)
A truly local theater, tucked away in
an alley by the Hafnarfjörður viking
village.This 220-seater has, since
2011, managed to put on a series of
successful productions, appealing to
a wide age range, and providing an
avenue for new talent and seasoned
pros alike. While it may be more
geared towards lighter fare and
less concerned with nude thespians
flagellating themselves through
Beckett, it’s a rare and refreshing
treat to see a true independent
flourishing outside the system.
Previous Winners
New category
Best Cinema
Bíó Paradís
Hverfisgata 54
What? The street magazine chose
the only cinematheque in Reykjavík?
Well, that took everyone by surprise.
As much as we love many of our
other theaters for a no-holds-barred
blockbuster experience, there is
simply no contender for the top spot.
This is a theater that incorporates
their customers’ needs through a
lively dialogue with its community
on what to show and what kind of
events to stage. They are also the
only theater consistently serving the
international community in Iceland
and a center for many of the film
festivals, openings and awards in
Iceland.
Runners-up
Laugarásbíó
Laugarás
In the 80s and 90s, Laugarásbíó
was a haven for cult action movies
and B-horror (think Bloodsport and
Critters). Today it’s more respectable
but it retains that renegade vibe
somehow. Sure it could use some
freshening up but they’ve kept up
with the latest in sound systems and
screening technology and you’ll get
much the same blast of Hollywood
mayhem as you would with the bigger
chains.
Kringlubíó (Lúxus)
Kringlan 4-12
The Lúxus screen in Kringlubíó
recently introduced their “date
seats” which are two-person leather
recliners, where you can snuggle up
to your partner with a blanket and a
bucket of popcorn. It’s like 90% of the
way towards replicating what it was
like binging romcoms in Covid except
outfitted with a Dolby Atmos sound
system, brand-new movies and a big
ol’ screen.
Previous Winners
2022: Bíó Paradís
2021: Bíó Paradís
2020: Smárabíó
Best Art Museum
Gerðarsafn
Hamraborg 4 (Kópavogur)
Gerðarsafn is often unfairly
neglected when discussing the best
that the Greater Reykjavík Area has
to offer, despite being only a quick
10 minute drive from downtown.
The museum has shown incredible
ambition in recent years, putting on
a staggering number of events and
exhibitions which often serves to
transport the conversations taking
place outside the museum walls
into the exhibition space — such as
immigration and gender issues.
Runners-up
The Living Art Museum
Grandagarður 20
The Living Art Museum (Nýlistasafnið)
is a modern art museum located at
a nexus of an artist-owned gallery,
non-profit artist run space and an
artist’s studio (oh, and there’s an
Italian restaurant on the first floor).
Similar to Gerðarsafn, Nýló is willing
to engage with social issues, while
skewing slightly more avant-garde
in their displays. The Marshall House
building and the surrounding area
is also an excellent example of the
renewal that has happened in Grandi
and the result makes for a charming
date spot.
The Reykjavík Art Museum
Tryggvagata 17
The list wouldn’t be complete without
a mention of the Reykjavík Art
Museum. While the past year has not
been a particular stand-out for the
museum, its Hafnarhús location is still
one of the main conduits bringing big
name international, contemporary
artists into the country. Besides, it’s
the perfect place to dip in on a windy
day for a coffee and some merch to
give your friend who has everything.
Previous Winners
2022: Reykjavík Art Museum
2021: Reykjavík Art Museum
2020: Kjarvalsstaðir