Bar Ananas

In a city where the weather report often reads like a warning label, Bar Ananas takes a bold position: it is aggressively, cheerfully tropical. Pineapples, palm prints, rum, and sunshine colours — all in a country where the sun disappears for months at a time. The cognitive dissonance is entirely intentional, and it works. Bar Ananas is one of Reykjavik's most enjoyable bars, and on a summer evening when the terrace catches the midnight sun, it makes perfect sense.

The Cocktails

The cocktail menu is the main event. Tropical is the theme — rum-forward drinks, fresh citrus and fruit, and the kind of colourful, well-crafted cocktails that Instagram accounts were invented for. Behind the presentation, the drinks are genuinely well-made. The bartenders know their craft, balancing sweetness and strength with confidence. Classics like mojitos and daiquiris are handled properly, and the house specials — which change with the seasons — are worth exploring.

Non-tropical options are available, and the beer and wine selection covers the basics. But you come to Bar Ananas for cocktails, and the cocktails deliver.

The Food

The food menu is casual bar fare: burgers, wings, nachos, and shareable snacks. The burgers are better than bar food often is — good patties, proper buns, and enough variety in toppings to keep things interesting. This is not destination dining, but when you are on your second cocktail and hunger arrives, the food menu provides exactly what you need.

The Terrace

The outdoor terrace is Bar Ananas's secret weapon. On a warm Reykjavik evening — and they do happen, more than the country's reputation suggests — the terrace fills with people enjoying cocktails in the open air. Klapparstigur catches afternoon and evening sun, and the sheltered position creates a genuine sun trap. In a city where outdoor drinking opportunities are limited, this terrace is prime real estate.

The Atmosphere

Inside, the tropical theme continues with colourful decor, a lively soundtrack, and the kind of energy that picks up as the evening progresses. DJ nights add another layer to the weekend experience. The crowd is a mix of locals and tourists, and the atmosphere is inclusive and unpretentious. It is a bar where you come to enjoy yourself, and the whole place is set up to facilitate exactly that.

Practical Tips

Happy hour is the smart play for managing Reykjavik cocktail prices. The terrace fills up fast on sunny days — arrive early to claim a spot. Weekend evenings from 22:00 onwards get busy and loud. The Klapparstigur location is a short walk from Laugavegur and the rest of Reykjavik's bar scene. No reservations — just walk in. If you are looking for a fun, lively bar that does not take itself too seriously, Bar Ananas is one of the best in the city.