Sand Bar
A stylish hotel bar on Laugavegur with well-crafted cocktails, a daily happy hour, and casual food in a design-conscious setting inside the Sand Hotel.
Sand Bar occupies the ground floor of the Sand Hotel, one of Reykjavik's better boutique hotels, and it does what a good hotel bar should do: it gives you a reason to walk in even if you are not staying there. Facing directly onto Laugavegur through large windows, it offers a front-row seat to the bustle of Reykjavik's main street while you work through a well-made cocktail.
The Drinks
The cocktail menu is the main attraction. The bartenders are skilled and engaged, producing drinks that look good and taste better. There are monthly specials that play with Icelandic ingredients -- birch, Arctic thyme, local berries -- alongside competently made classics. The White Russian is, inevitably, popular (this is Iceland, after all), but the house creations are where the bar shows its range.
The beer selection leans towards Icelandic craft, and the wine list is adequate without being remarkable. Happy hour is daily and offers genuine savings on draft beer and house wine, making it one of the more affordable ways to drink on Laugavegur.
The Food
The food menu is short and designed to support drinking rather than replace a proper dinner. Sharing plates, burgers, and lighter bites. Nothing on the menu will make you rethink your life, but everything is competently prepared and arrives promptly. If you are hungry, eat here to line your stomach; if you want a serious meal, walk two minutes in any direction.
The Setting
The interior is Scandinavian design done well: clean lines, warm materials, comfortable seating, and lighting that flatters without being so dim you cannot read the menu. It is a handsome room that manages to feel inviting rather than intimidating. On weekend evenings, the energy picks up as the Laugavegur crowd fills the space, and it transitions smoothly from afternoon coffee spot to late-night cocktail bar.
Practical Tips
Drop in during happy hour for the best value. On Friday and Saturday nights, arrive early or be prepared to wait for a seat. The street-facing windows make this an excellent people-watching spot during the light summer evenings. If you are staying on Laugavegur, Sand Bar is a reliable default for a well-made drink without the effort of finding somewhere new.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Sand Bar?
- Sand Bar is the ground-floor bar and lounge of the Sand Hotel by Keahotels, facing directly onto Laugavegur. It serves cocktails, craft beer, wine, and a menu of casual food.
- Does Sand Bar have happy hour?
- Yes. Happy hour runs daily with discounted Icelandic beers on draft and house wine. Check the current times at the bar.
- What kind of food does Sand Bar serve?
- Casual bar food -- sharing plates, burgers, and lighter options designed to accompany drinks rather than be a full dining experience.
- Do I need a reservation?
- Not usually. Walk-ins are standard. It can get busy on Friday and Saturday evenings.
- Is Sand Bar good for cocktails?
- Yes. The cocktail menu is inventive, with monthly specials alongside classic recipes. The bartenders know what they are doing.
- Where is Sand Bar?
- Inside the Sand Hotel at Laugavegur 34, right on the main shopping and nightlife street of Reykjavik.
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