The Best Craft Beer Bars in Reykjavik (2026)

Iceland banned beer. Not centuries ago in some dusty medieval statute — in living memory. From 1915 until 1 March 1989, beer above 2.25% alcohol was illegal. Wine and spirits were legalised in 1935, but beer remained forbidden for another 54 years. Icelanders celebrate the anniversary every year on Bjordagur — Beer Day — which tells you how enthusiastically the country has embraced what it was denied for so long.

In the decades since legalisation, Iceland has built a craft beer scene of genuine quality. Reykjavik now supports specialist bars, brewery taprooms, and bottle shops that would satisfy serious enthusiasts from any brewing nation. The glacial water makes an excellent base for brewing. The creativity helps more.

This guide covers the best places to drink craft beer in Reykjavik, with a couple of essential stops beyond the capital. If you want a structured introduction, a Reykjavik food and drink walking tour often includes craft beer stops alongside food tastings.

The Pioneers

MicroBar

MicroBar was one of the first dedicated craft beer bars in Reykjavik, and it remains one of the best. Tucked away on Vesturgata with a modest exterior that belies what waits inside, MicroBar typically offers 10-12 taps rotating through Icelandic and international craft beers, plus a bottle list that stretches considerably further. The staff are knowledgeable and passionate — this is the kind of bar where you can ask for a recommendation and receive one that genuinely matches your taste rather than whatever needs shifting.

The atmosphere is intimate and unpretentious: low lighting, wooden furnishings, and a clientele that skews towards people who care about what is in their glass. Half-pints are available on everything, making it easy to sample widely. A half-pint runs ISK 700-1,000 (EUR 4-7) during happy hour, ISK 1,000-1,400 (EUR 7-9) at full price. If you visit one craft beer bar in Reykjavik, make it this one.

Icelandic Craft Bar

Icelandic Craft Bar does exactly what the name says — it focuses exclusively on Icelandic craft beer, and it stocks the widest selection in the country. With typically 20+ taps pouring beer from breweries across Iceland, this is the place to educate yourself on the breadth of the national scene. Borg, Einstok, Steðji, Gæðingur, Malbygg, RVK Brewing — they are all here, often including limited releases and seasonal specials that you will not find elsewhere.

The bar occupies a bright, modern space on Laugavegur and draws both tourists and locals in roughly equal measure. Tasting flights of four beers are available and highly recommended if you want to cover ground efficiently. Flights ISK 2,800-3,200 (EUR 18-21); pints ISK 1,400-1,800 (EUR 9-12).

Best Beer Bars

Kaldi Bar

Kaldi Bar is the Reykjavik outpost of Kaldi, one of Iceland's most established craft breweries, based in Arskogssandur in the north. The bar serves the full Kaldi range on tap — the Czech-style lager, the dark lager, the IPA, and seasonal releases — alongside guest taps from other Icelandic breweries. The atmosphere is warm and convivial, more pub than bar, with a buzz that builds steadily through the evening. The beer is consistently well-made, and the prices are slightly more accessible than some of the more specialist spots. Pints ISK 1,300-1,600 (EUR 8-10).

Bastard Brew & Food

Bastard Brew & Food combines a strong craft beer selection with a food menu centred on burgers and bar snacks. The taps rotate regularly and lean towards hop-forward styles — IPAs, pale ales, and the occasional NEIPA — though there is always something darker and maltier for those who prefer it. The burgers are excellent and designed to pair with the beer, which is a welcome touch. The atmosphere is laid-back and the music is good without being intrusive. A strong choice for an evening that combines eating and drinking. Pints ISK 1,400-1,700 (EUR 9-11); burgers ISK 2,800-3,500 (EUR 18-23).

Frederiksen Ale House

Frederiksen Ale House brings a Danish influence to the Reykjavik beer scene — appropriate, given the historic connections between the two countries. The tap list balances Icelandic craft with Scandinavian and European imports, and the atmosphere has the warm, woody, convivial feel of a Copenhagen brewpub. The food menu is solid pub fare: fish and chips, burgers, and sharing platters. A good all-round drinking spot that works equally well for a quiet afternoon pint or a lively Friday evening. Pints ISK 1,300-1,700 (EUR 8-11).

Skumaskot

Skumaskot is primarily known as a cocktail bar, but its craft beer selection deserves a mention here. The rotating taps are thoughtfully chosen and often feature breweries that the more dedicated beer bars overlook. The space is small, atmospheric, and popular — it fills up fast on weekend evenings. If you want to combine craft beer exploration with excellent cocktails in a single venue, this is your spot. Beer ISK 1,400-1,800 (EUR 9-12).

Bjorgardurinn

Bjorgardurinn — the Beer Garden — is Reykjavik's attempt at the outdoor drinking culture that thrives in warmer climates. During the summer months, the outdoor terrace is one of the most pleasant places to drink in the city, with views and a relaxed atmosphere that pairs well with a cold Icelandic IPA. The tap selection is decent and the vibe is social and friendly. In winter, the indoor space is cosy enough, though it loses some of the appeal. Seasonal, but worth catching if the weather cooperates. Pints ISK 1,300-1,600 (EUR 8-10).

Brewery Taprooms

Bryggjan Brugghus Bistro & Brewery

Bryggjan Brugghus is the most complete brewery experience in Reykjavik. Located in the Old Harbour area, it combines an on-site brewery with a full restaurant, meaning you can watch your beer being made while you drink it. The house beers are well-crafted — the pale ale and the porter are standouts — and the food menu (burgers, fish, and sharing plates) is designed to complement them. Brewery tours are available and worth doing if you are interested in the process. Tasting flights of house beers ISK 2,200-2,800 (EUR 14-18); pints ISK 1,400-1,700 (EUR 9-11).

The harbour-side location adds atmosphere, particularly on summer evenings. This is also a good option if you are with someone who is not especially interested in beer — the food and the setting work on their own merits.

Beyond Reykjavik

If you are exploring Iceland beyond the capital, two brewery taprooms deserve a deliberate detour.

Dokkan Brugghus (Isafjordur)

Dokkan Brugghus in Isafjordur is the best reason to drink beer in the Westfjords. This small brewery produces a focused range using local water, and the taproom is a welcoming spot in a town that does not have many. The IPA is excellent, the stout is warming, and the atmosphere — remote, cosy, surrounded by dramatic fjords — makes every pint taste better. If you are driving the Westfjords, plan a stop here.

Beljandi (Egilsstadir)

Beljandi in Egilsstadir, eastern Iceland, is another small-town brewery punching above its weight. The beers are brewed with glacial water from the Lagarfljot river, and the range is impressive for such a small operation. The taproom doubles as a gathering spot for locals and travellers. If you are driving the Ring Road, Beljandi is a natural reason to linger in Egilsstadir.

Happy Hour Tips

This is not optional advice — in Iceland, happy hour is a survival strategy. Beer at full price in a Reykjavik bar costs ISK 1,400-1,800 (EUR 9-12) per pint. During happy hour, that drops to ISK 800-1,200 (EUR 5-8). The difference adds up fast.

When: Most bars run happy hour between 15:00 and 18:00 (some extend to 19:00 or start earlier on weekends).

How to find it: The app "Appy Hour" is essential. It maps every happy hour deal in Reykjavik in real time and is free to download. Every beer-loving visitor to Iceland should have it on their phone.

Strategy: Plan your afternoon bar visits during happy hour, then move to a restaurant for dinner, then return to bars later in the evening when the atmosphere picks up. Your wallet will thank you.

For a guided introduction to the Reykjavik beer scene — including tastings, history, and insider recommendations — a beer tasting tour covers several of the bars on this list and typically includes 4-6 tastings. Tours run ISK 12,000-16,000 (EUR 80-106) per person and last 2-3 hours.

Icelandic Beer Brands to Try

The names to look for: Borg Brugghus (the Nr. 3 Lager and Nr. 19 Garún imperial stout are standouts), Einstok (the White Ale and Toasted Porter), Kaldi (clean Czech-style lager), RVK Brewing (excellent IPAs), Malbygg (Belgian and American-influenced small batches), and Stedji (experimental brews, well-crafted standard range). You will find most of these in the bars listed above and in government-run Vinbudin liquor stores — the only place to buy alcohol above 2.25% outside bars and restaurants in Iceland.

How We Chose

We selected bars based on the quality and breadth of their beer selection, the knowledge and enthusiasm of the staff, the atmosphere, and the overall drinking experience. Bars that focus primarily on Icelandic craft beer scored higher than those leaning on international imports — we believe the best reason to drink beer in Reykjavik is to drink Icelandic beer. We visited each bar multiple times across different days and times. We did not accept complimentary drinks or payment from any establishment listed.

Last updated: February 2026.