nightlife guide nightlife guide

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NIGHTLIFE
G U I D E
1 3 t h
-
2 6 t h
S e p t e m b e r
DISCO NIGHT
BARINN
22. SEPTEMBER
Jethro
Jethro Tull
Tull -- Franz
Franz Ferdinand
Ferdinand -- KAL
KAL
Tom
Tom Selleck
Selleck Look-Alike
Look-Alike Competition
Competition
SSSól
SSSól -- Jeff
Jeff Who?
Who? -- GusGus
GusGus
2 0 0 7
The Reykjavik Nightlife
There are so many changes going through the nightlife scene in Reykjavik these
days. Most of them you will not notice but some you will. The ban on smoking
in public places puts some of the bars and clubs into difficulty, because they
don’t have a proper place for their customers to stand outside and smoke. The
Reykjavik Police are enforcing this ban and at the same time doing a crack-down
on vandalism and extreme drunken conduct in the streets. You will therefore see
an unusual amount of police officers in the streets late at night. This, of course, is
a good thing because we don’t want the behavior of a small group of individuals
destroying the great, vibrant atmosphere that downtown Reykjavik has to offer on
weekends. This is what Reykjavik is famous for and we want to keep it that way.
This guide will help you find your way through the nightlife jungle that Reykjavik
has become. It will also show you that in the downtown area of Reykjavik, as we
refer to as “The 101”, there are many places to choose from within a very small
walkable area. Hopefully this guide will help you get the most of your stay here.
Publisher info
This guide is published by the Reykjavik Nightlife Friend service.
Nightlife Friend
is a guided nightlife service
that helps you find your way
through the Reykjavik nightlife,
gets you VIP entrance to clubs
and helps you “break the ice”
with the locals.
We do not participate in any illegal services
Tel.: 822 6600
www.nightlifefriend.is
Nightlife Calendar
Thursday September 13th
Austurbær Venue - Paul McCartney
Tribute Concert. Buff and Reykjavik Session
Quartet.
B5 - Dj Sveinbjörn.
Barinn - Dj Helgi Már.
Gaukurinn - Blues Festival.
Hotel Borg - Argentinian Tango Milonga
20.00-24.00. Beginner lessons at 20.00.
Hressingarskálinn - Heaven & Hell party.
Dj Plugg’d.
Hverfisbarinn - Open mic with troubadours
Sjonni and Gunni.
Kaffibarinn - Dj Simon.
Oliver - The Teabag band.
Organ - B. Sig. and Pornopop bands in
concert.
Cafe Paris - Dj Lucky.
Prikið - Dj Jói B.
Q-Bar - Cheesy Thursday Dj Manny.
Sirkus - Dj Paul Moritiz.
Thorvaldsen - Kenya Nemor Soul Night.
Vegamót - Dj Steinar Lár.
Friday September 14th
B5 - Dj Jón Atli Lazer.
Barinn - Thinking (Hugsandi) dance music
and Dj Kvikindi.
Cafe Cultura - Dj Kristin.
Háskólabíó Venue - Jethro Tull in concert.
Hressingarskálinn - The Dalton band and
Dj Maggi.
Kaffibarinn - Dj Casanova.
Nasa - Scottish band Franz Ferdinand in
concert.
Oliver - Dj JBK.
Organ - Rjominn.is concert. Jan Mayen,
Vicky Pollard, Hellvar and April.
Cafe Paris - Jaguar’s Dj Börkur.
Prikið - Villi Naglbítur and Djs Jóna and
Ladycats.
Q-Bar - Dj Shaft.
Sirkus - Dj Nuno.
Vegamót - Dj Simmi.
Saturday September 15th
B5 - Dj Toketronic.
Barinn - Djs Manni and Míó.
Cafe Cultura - Dj Böddi.
Grand Rokk - Fintroll, Finish folk metal.
Sólstafir, Drep and Trassar.
Háskólabíó Venue - Jethro Tull in concert.
Hressingarskálinn - Troubadours Alexander
and Örvar followed by Dj Maggi.
Kaffibarinn Nasa - Icelandic megaband SSSÓL in
concert.
Oliver - Djs Haukur and JBK with Addi Gísla
on drums.
Organ - Scottish band Franz Ferdinand in
concert.
Cafe Paris - Dj Lucky.
Prikið - Dj Danni Deluxe.
Q-Bar - Dj Peter Parker.
Sirkus - Dj Casanova.
Vegamót - Dj Jónas.
Sunday September 16th
Gaukurinn - Fintroll, Finish folk metal.
Severed Crotch, Ask the Slave and Dust Cap.
For all ages.
Oliver - Vinyl night. A night out for local Djs
who bring their vinyl, hang out and play.
The information here is
subject to change.
No responsibility is
taken for its accuracy.
Closing hours
Closing hours on Friday and Saturday are optional.
Other nights it is 01:00.
Wednesday September 19th
Cafe Cultura - Tango Milonga night.
Domo - Jonsson/Gröndal Jazz Quintet.
Gaukurinn - Dúndurfréttir band.
Organ - Kimono, Bertel & DJ Hero´s Trial.
Prikið - Dj Villi.
Sirkus - Dj Digital.
Thursday September 20th
B5 - Dj Anna Brá.
Gaukurinn Hressingarskálinn - Troubadours Böddi
and Danni.
Hverfisbarinn - Open mic with troubadours
Sjonni and Gunni.
Oliver - Closed private party.
Organ - Iceland-Palestine support concert.
Cafe Paris - Dj Lucky.
Prikið - Dj Anna Brá.
Q-Bar - Cheesy Thursday Dj Þórir.
Sirkus - Tom Selleck Look-Alike Competition. Dj Biggo.
Thorvaldsen - Kenya Nemor Soul Night.
Vegamót - Dj Jónas.
Friday September 21st
B5 - Dj Helgi Már.
Barinn - Djs Casanova and Muffin.
Cafe Cultura - Dj Lupin.
Hressingarskálinn - The Pub-lic band and
Dj Bjarni.
Kaffibarinn - Dj Árni Sveins.
Nasa - Jeff Who?, Dikta and Ölvis.
Oliver - House Dj.
Organ - GUS GUS (live set!).
Cafe Paris - Jaguar’s Dj Börkur.
Prikið - Indigo release concert and Dj Maggi
Lego.
Q-Bar - Dj Ási Disco and B2.
Sirkus - Dj Toti Trans.
Vegamót - Dj Simmi.
Saturday September 22nd
B5 - Dj Casanova.
Barinn - Disco Night. Djs Ási Disco, Gísli
Galdur and Dj Ernir upstairs.
Cafe Cultura - Salsa Night.
Gaukurinn - Salsa Night.
Hressingarskálinn - Troubadours Alexander
and Örvar followed by Dj Bjarni.
Kaffibarinn - Dj Nuno and Vasco Fortes
from Portugal.
Nasa - Serbian gypsy band Kal in concert.
Oliver - House Dj.
Organ - Bacon Live Support Unit and guests.
Cafe Paris - Dj Lucky.
Prikið - Dj Gulli Ósóma.
Q-Bar - Dj Kitty Kiki-Ow and surprice guest.
Sirkus - Dj Skeletor.
Vegamót - Dj Danni Deluxe.
Sunday September 23rd
Oliver - Vinyl night. A night out for local Djs
who bring their vinyl, hang out and play.
Wednesday September 26th
Cafe Cultura - Tango Milonga night.
Domo - Burkina Faso jazz and funk.
Organ - Elíza release concert.
Prikið - Dj Biggi Maus.
Sirkus - Dj Egner and friends.
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Map of Downtown Reyk
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Bars and Clubs in Down
There are nearly 50 bars and clubs in the
small downtown area of Reykjavik. The
line of streets, Laugavegur, Bankastræti,
Austurstræti with the parallel streets of
Hafnarstræti and Hverfisgata, we often call
The Runtur. The Runtur, which means “the
round”, originally refers to the practice of
young Icelanders driving around in circles
at night before they reach drinking age.
Today it also refers to going out pub crawling/bar hopping.
There are many bars and clubs for all
types of music and interests. Here is a list
in alphabetical order, connected with their
number on the map, what the places have
to offer (D=dancing, F=food service,
L=live music) and the average age group.
There is also some additional info from
participating establishments.
and good spirits. Live troubadour on the
first floor and live band in the basement
every weekend.
21 Champagne Club
30+
DFL 25+
10 Deco
D
25+
Austurstræti 12 Tel. 5787900
A new restaurant/bar that focuses on good
food and good wines. Troubadours and Djs
on Thu/Fri/Sat. Wi-Fi. Late night entrance
from Austurvöllur square.
32 Café Cultura
25 Domo
DFL 30+
45 Dillon L
25+
30+
7 Dubliner
LF 30+
Hafnarstræti 4 Tel. 5113232
Traditional Irish pub with your dark ales
and good selection of whiskeys. Dark with
wooden tables, live music and varied English dialects.
24 B5 DF 25+
Bankastræti 5 Tel. 5529600
A stylish bar/bistro in an old bank building.
Two new downstairs lounges. Small light
menus. Dj dance music on weekends. A
Jet-Set watering hole. You should try the
famous Mojito. Wi-Fi.
4 Gaukurinn DL 25+
Tryggvagötu 22 Tel. 5172277
Gaukur á Stöng, commonly called
Gaukurinn, is the oldest pub/bar in Iceland.
Famous for live venues and hosting many of
our most popular bands. Newly renovated
with large TV screens for sport events.
33 Bar 11 3 Glaumbar 27 101 Lounge F
30+
6 Café Amsterdam
DL
25+
15 Apotek Bar & Grill
L
25+
DFL 20+
43 Barinn
DFL 25+ 36 Grand Rokk
FL 25+
Laugavegur 22 Tel. 5787800
This bar/bistro/cafe is on 3 floors with food 23 Highlander
FL 25+
served on the first floor. Dj on most weeknights. On weekends it has different Djs on 19 Hressingarskálinn DFL 20+
2 floors and is open late. Wi-Fi.
34 Hverfisbarinn DL 20+
20 Belly’s
25+ Hverfisgata 20 Tel. 6991105
One of the most popular bar for students,
46 Boston
25+ a lounge upstairs and dance floor downstairs. Live music on Thursdays and great
35 Celtic Cross L
25+ Djs playing R&B, disco and commercial
Hverfisgata 26. Tel. 5113240
sexy music on weekends.
Celtic pub keeping up traditions of Celtic
wakes, which is basically lots of drinking 1 Ice Bar DFL 30+
R
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In Alphabetical Order
37 Kaffibarinn 25+
16 Kaffibrennslan F
20+
31 Kofi Tómasar Frænda
FL
20+
48 The Live Bar L
25+
9 Nasa DL 20+
28 Næsti Bar 25+
40 Cafe Oliver DFL 25+
Laugavegur 20a Tel. 5522300
Restaurant/club on two floors. A la carte
menu and good brunch. Live music and
Djs. Good dance floor with possibilities
of bottle table service. Gets very crowded
on weekends. Smart attire. Arrive early to
avoid the cue. Wi-Fi.
at it’s finest. Cafe/bar at day. Dj´s Wed-Sat.
Wi-Fi.
11 Rex D
30+
Austurstræti 9 Tel. 5525599
Formerly a bank (with bank vault and safety
dep. boxes) and a men’s clothing store this
upscale club/bar is open on Fri/Sat night.
Moroccan style furnishings. Good dance
floor. Dress smartly.
14 Salt Bar at 1919 F
30+
Pósthússtræti 2 Tel. 5991000
Located in the Radisson 1919 hotel that
was formerly the HQ of Iceland’s largest
shipping company. A hip, cool bar with
world class coctails.
17 Silfur
F
42 Sportbar.is
30+
20+
5 Organ
DL 20+
26 Café Sólon DFL 20+
Hafnarstræti 1-3
A brand new bar/night club/music venue. 25+
Host of the Innipúkinn Festival and a part 41 Sirkus of the Iceland Airwaves Festival. Icelandic
DF 30+
and foreign bands 4 times a week and DJ´s 8 Thorvaldsen after shows on weekends.
38 Vegamót DF 20+
12 Club Óðal
30+ Vegamótastígur 4 Tel. 5113040
Cafe/bar/bistro/club on 2 floors with a
Austurstræti 12a Tel. 5623570
A gentleman’s club with poled dance floor large affordable menu. On weekend nights
the place changes to a thriving dance club.
and private dancing.
Djs Wed/Thu/Fri/Sat.
39 Ölstofan 30+
47 Vegas
30+
13 Café Paris F
30+ Frakkastígur 8 Tel. 5616662
Gentlemen’s club located in a side street
Austurstræti 14 Tel. 5511020
Prime location by Austurvöllur square. Dur- off Laugavegur shopping street.
ing summer it is very popular to sit outside
F
30+
and watch people going by. Warm, relaxed 18 Vínbarinn
atmosphere and bistro style menu. Dj on
2 Café Victor DFL 20+
weekends. Wi-Fi.
29 Prikið
DF
20+
30 Q Bar D
25+
Ingólfsstræti 3 Tel. 5519660
Recently opened to gay and transgender
people or “straight friendly” as it calls itself. Arrive early and stay late. Club music
From June 1st smoking has been
prohibited in public places like bars,
clubs and restaurants.
SHOTS
Opal
Topas
Eden Apple Brennivín
BEERS
These are our locally made
alcoholic beverages.
While you are here try the
famous Brennivin (Black
Death) schnapps, the new
Reyka vodka, some of our
award winning beers or
our very popular Opal and
Topas shots.
SCHNAPPS
Made In Iceland
Egils Gull
Egils Lite Egils Premium Egils Pilsner Kaldi
Viking
Viking Lager
BEERS
VODKA
Thule
Egils SterkurEgils Malt Beer Viking Lite
EldurÍs Tinda Vodka Reyka
24
Pictures
Pictures from various places
Courtesy www.superman.is
s
s
10
Do’s,
Do’s, Don’ts
Don’ts and
and Did
Did You
You Know
Know
• Nothing really starts until after midnight on weekends. The high price of alcohol keeps us home finishing off a few drinks before we head out. Then between
midnight and one o’clock lines start to form outside the clubs.
• Did you know that a few years ago every place closed at 3 in the morning on
weekends and that created a Carnival atmosphere in the streets. The authorities
decided on flexible openings after that.
• Before 1989 beer was not sold in Iceland. It was not until some bars started
to sell non alcohol Pilsner mixed with Vodka that the authorities gave in.
• Clothing for a night out may vary. Most clubs have a clothing policy. Basically
dress “smart”. Jeans are IN now but only as a part of the “smart” outfit. Sneakers are generally not allowed. But there are many bars and some clubs that will
allow nearly any kind of attire. Use common sense. You will see that many
locals love to wear black in the clubs.
• Many places have long lines outside. There are VIP lines but don’t expect to
get in through them. Plan and arrive early.
• Drinks generally cost the same in bars and clubs. The difference could be 100200 kr. Many places have “specials”, like a beer for 390 kr.
• Icelanders are not used to tipping because service is always included but in
the last few years it has become more common to see that tipping gets you that
extra, extra service in bars and clubs. Maybe not a positive development but
just the way of the world.
• We Icelanders push and shove. Don’t be offended but the places are usually so crowded that to get where we want to go we have to use initiative.
• From June 1st 2007 smoking has been prohibited in public places like restaurants, bars and nightclubs. Many places have still not worked out how they will
deal with offering smokers a permanent place to smoke, so bear with them.
• Most places don’t have an entrance fee unless there is a special occasion
or a popular band playing. The fee is usually from 500 - 1.500 kr.
• Closing times vary. If one place closes you can usually find another one that
is open. Places usually don’t stay open longer than 7 in the morning on weekends.
• During weekday nights there is not much dancing going on. We usually go to
bars and cafés and hang out over coffee, beer or a glass of wine. Thursdays
are good but everything closes at 1.00. But you never know. Maybe something
innocent might turn into a big party.
• We always go for a snack before we go home after a long night partying. Traditionally we buy a hot dog with everything “Ein með öllu”, but nowadays you
can get a lot of other things to eat. See the map.
• Getting a taxi in the morning on weekends might take a while. There is a waiting line for taxis by the pond (see map). Taxis use the other taxi stops earlier in
the night. A lot of people try to walk in different directions to pick up taxis on
their way to the center but the safest bet is waiting in the taxi line. In the line you
can always pick up some good conversations or some local sing-a-longs.
w
Worthy Mentions
Scottish rock band Franz Ferdinand, from
Glasgow will return to Iceland to perform at Nasa
14th of September. Formed in 2001 and named
after Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria, the
band consists of Alex Kapranos, Bob Hardy, Nick
McCarthy and Paul Thomson.
The band’s first album debuted on the UK album
charts at number three and won the 2004 Mercury
Music Prize before their second album, You Could
Have It So Much Better, charted at number 1. So
far the band has released several top 10 hits in the
UK.
Gipsy rockabilly! The hottest Gypsy band from the
suburbs of Belgrad, KAL, will return to Reykjavik
with their rock’n’roll in attitude, fuelled on urban
beats and rooted in the Balkan blues. KAL will play
NASA, Saturday 22nd of September.
Smidjuvegi 14, 200 Kópavogur
Tel.: +354 577 4230 www.goldfinger.is