Icelandic Craft Bar

Iceland's craft beer revolution is one of the country's quieter success stories. In the decades since beer was finally legalised in 1989, a wave of microbreweries has transformed the drinking culture from a land of schnapps and imported lager into one with a genuinely exciting beer scene. The Icelandic Craft Bar, in downtown Reykjavik, exists specifically to showcase that scene -- and it does so with infectious enthusiasm.

What to Expect

The bar occupies a second-floor space on Laekjargata, above the popular Icelandic Street Food restaurant. The interior is cosy and informal: mismatched furniture, board games stacked on shelves, and the kind of relaxed atmosphere where strangers end up in conversation over a shared interest in hops. It feels more like a well-stocked living room than a commercial bar, and that is entirely deliberate.

The defining feature is the beer list. Every single beer on offer is brewed in Iceland. This is not a gimmick -- it is a mission. From hoppy IPAs brewed in Akureyri to rich stouts from the Westfjords, the selection represents a geographical tour of Iceland's brewing landscape in a single drinking session.

The Beer

The tap list rotates regularly, reflecting what is fresh and available from Iceland's growing network of microbreweries. On any given visit, you might find a crisp pilsner from Borg Brugghus, a hazy pale ale from Malbygg, a smoked porter from Steðji, or a seasonal farmhouse ale from one of the country's smaller operations.

The staff are the bar's greatest asset. Rather than simply listing what is on tap, they will ask what you normally drink, what flavour profiles you enjoy, and then guide you towards something you are likely to love. Their knowledge of the Icelandic brewing scene is deep and genuine, and the experience of being guided through a flight of beers by someone who clearly cares about the subject is worth the visit alone.

The Food Partnership

The Icelandic Craft Bar has no kitchen of its own, but it has solved the food problem elegantly. Icelandic Street Food, the restaurant directly below, serves traditional Icelandic lamb soup, fish stew, and other hearty dishes in bread bowls. You are welcome to order from there and bring your food upstairs to enjoy with your beer. It is a partnership that works beautifully for both businesses.

Practical Tips

Laekjargata is in the heart of downtown Reykjavik, a short walk from Austurvollur square and easily accessible from anywhere in the 101 district. The bar does not take reservations; simply walk in and find a seat.

Please note that the Icelandic Craft Bar's operating status has changed over the years, with relocations and temporary closures. Before making a special trip, check online or ask locally to confirm current opening hours and location. The Reykjavik bar scene is dynamic, and venues can shift with little notice.

If the bar is open when you visit, do not miss it. A flight of Icelandic craft beers, guided by expert staff, in a cosy downtown setting is one of the most enjoyable drinking experiences Reykjavik has to offer.