Kaffibarinn
Kaffibarinn is Reykjavik's most iconic bar, occupying a small building on Bergstadastraeti 1, just off Laugavegur. Part-owned by Blur frontman Damon Albarn since the late 1990s, the venue has become synonymous with Reykjavik's weekend nightlife culture. The ground floor is a narrow bar with room for maybe 60 people, while the basement hosts DJs on weekends. During the day it operates as a low-key coffee bar, but by midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, a line forms outside and the interior becomes a packed, sweaty dance floor. The London Underground logo on the exterior has become one of Reykjavik's most photographed street details.
What to Expect
A tiny, packed bar with loud music and a crowd of locals and tourists pressed together. The energy builds slowly from nothing at 10 PM to absolute chaos by 2 AM. Expect to shout over music and spill drinks when people push past.
Cramped, loud, and charged with energy on weekends. Surprisingly chill on weekday afternoons.
Indie, electronic, Icelandic pop, and DJ sets ranging from house to eclectic on weekends
Casual but put-together. Jeans and a decent shirt fit right in. Nobody's dressed up, but nobody's in athletic wear either.
Anyone wanting the quintessential Reykjavik bar experience. This is the venue people tell you to visit first.
Cards accepted everywhere. Iceland is nearly cashless.
Price Range
Beer 1,500-1,800 ISK, cocktails 2,500-3,000 ISK, wine 1,800-2,200 ISK
Beer ~$11-13 USD / ~10-12 EUR, cocktails ~$18-22 USD / ~17-20 EUR
Hours
Sun-Thu 15:00-01:00, Fri-Sat 15:00-04:30
Insider Tip
Arrive before midnight on weekends to avoid the line. The basement DJ sets are usually better than the ground floor playlist. Weekday afternoons are great for coffee and people-watching through the front window.
Full Review
The entrance on Bergstadastraeti doesn't prepare you for what happens inside after midnight. During daylight hours, Kaffibarinn is a quiet coffee spot where people work on laptops and read newspapers. The transformation begins around 11 PM on weekends when the coffee crowd gives way to the drinking crowd.
The ground floor is the main social space. A narrow bar runs along one wall, and the rest of the room fills with people standing, talking, and gradually moving to the music as the night progresses. There's no dance floor per se because the entire room becomes one. The basement adds DJ capacity on weekends, and the sound system down there is surprisingly good for a venue this size.
Compared to Hurra or Paloma, Kaffibarinn is more about the social atmosphere than the music programming. You come here to be part of the crowd, not to see a specific act. The Damon Albarn connection gives it international name recognition, but locals genuinely frequent it rather than treating it as a tourist trap.
The biggest practical challenge is the line. After midnight on Saturdays during summer, expect a 15-30 minute wait. Once inside, getting drinks takes patience because the bar is small and the bartenders are working at capacity. Budget accordingly and don't expect fast service.
The Neighborhood
Kaffibarinn sits at the corner of Bergstadastraeti and Laugavegur, making it a natural starting or stopping point for any Reykjavik bar crawl. Hurra is a 3-minute walk. The main Laugavegur shopping strip runs right past the door.
Getting There
Walk to Bergstadastraeti 1, just off Laugavegur in central Reykjavik. From Hlemmur bus station, it's a 7-minute walk west along Laugavegur. Everything in central Reykjavik is walkable.
Other Venues in Laugavegur
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.
Gaukurinn
Alternative music venue known for punk, metal, and indie acts. Regular comedy nights and open mic events round out the schedule.
Pablo Discobar
Cocktail bar with a Latin American theme on Veltusund. Strong drinks, colorful decor, and a party atmosphere on weekends.