Gaukurinn
Gaukurinn is Reykjavik's home for alternative and underground culture, sitting on Tryggvagata 22. The programming leans toward punk, metal, indie, and experimental music, with regular comedy nights and open mic events. The space holds around 150 people and has the raw, slightly worn feel of a venue that prioritizes sound over aesthetics.
What to Expect
A dark, no-frills venue with good sound. The crowd varies by event: punk shows bring leather jackets, comedy nights bring a broader mix.
Dark, loud during shows, and unpretentious.
Punk, metal, indie rock, experimental, and electronic. Comedy and open mic nights add variety.
Band t-shirts, black jeans, leather. Or whatever. Nobody's checking.
Fans of alternative music and stand-up comedy. People who prefer dive bars to cocktail lounges.
Cards accepted.
Price Range
Beer 1,400-1,700 ISK, cocktails 2,200-2,800 ISK, cover 1,500-3,000 ISK for shows
Beer ~$10-12 USD / ~9-11 EUR, cocktails ~$16-21 USD / ~15-19 EUR
Hours
Shows typically 20:00-01:00, Fri-Sat bar open until 04:30
Insider Tip
Check the weekly schedule for stand-up comedy nights performed in English. These are popular with tourists and locals alike. Weeknight shows are the best value.
Full Review
Gaukurinn fills the alternative music gap that every small capital needs. It's not trying to be cool in the curated, Instagram-friendly way. The walls are covered in stickers and band posters. The furniture has seen better decades. The sound system, however, is properly set up for live music, which is what matters.
The live music programming rewards attention. Icelandic punk and metal scenes are small but dedicated, and Gaukurinn is where those communities gather. International touring acts playing to crowds of 80-120 people create intimate shows that would cost five times more in larger cities. Comedy nights have grown into a reliable draw, especially sets performed in English.
The bar is simple: beer, wine, basic spirits. Prices sit slightly below the Laugavegur average, which makes Gaukurinn one of the more affordable nights out in Reykjavik.
Gaukurinn shares a building with Hurra but operates independently with its own entrance and programming. The two venues complement each other: Hurra for polished indie and electronic, Gaukurinn for the rougher edges.
The Neighborhood
On Tryggvagata near Hurra and Paloma, at the harbor end of the nightlife zone.
Getting There
Tryggvagata 22, near the old harbor. Walk north from Laugavegur toward the water.
Other Venues in Laugavegur
Kaffibarinn
Iconic Reykjavik bar partly owned by Blur's Damon Albarn. Small, packed, and loud on weekends with DJs spinning until closing.
Hurra
Live music venue and bar that hosts local and international acts. Transitions into a DJ-driven dance floor after midnight on weekends.
Paloma
Reykjavik's closest thing to a proper nightclub, located above a bar on Naustin. Multiple rooms with different music on weekend nights.
Kiki Queer Bar
Reykjavik's main LGBTQ+ bar on Laugavegur. Welcoming to everyone, with drag shows and themed nights drawing a mixed crowd.
Pablo Discobar
Cocktail bar with a Latin American theme on Veltusund. Strong drinks, colorful decor, and a party atmosphere on weekends.