And after midnight everyone was in their Speedos.
4 / Iceland Review Street Edition / vol. #01 2012
nightlife
The Only Gay Bar in Town Siggi Einars runs the only strightly gay bar in Reykjavík; Gay 46.
W
e have regulars, both gay and straight, during the day, but at night we have a gay majority,” says Siggi Einars, the manager of Gay 46 bar at Hverfisgata 46, the only gay bar in Reykjavik. “The gay scene is so small that there is only room for one gay club at a time,” says Siggi, who has been involved in running almost every gay club in Iceland over the past two decades. Siggi estimates that there is a group of 400 to 700 individuals active in the Reykjavík gay nightlife scene. He says almost every bar or club in Iceland is gayfriendly, although Gay 46 is the only one that focuses on gay men. “Actually, the club is divided in two sections, Bar 46 and Gay 46. In front there is an area where both lesbians and gay men get together. Then there is an area with pool tables and a 150 square meter dance floor, that’s all Bar 46. Inside, there is an exclusive club strictly for gay men, that’s Gay 46.” Siggi says that gay people from all around the world visit the bar. “In May there was an international gay swim contest in Reykjavík and then about 400 gay swimmers visited the bar. And after midnight everyone was in their Speedos. One of my best nights in the business,” says Siggi laughing. But, what is it that makes a bar a good gay bar, apart from the gay visitors? “The DJ and the staff. Definitely,” Siggi concludes. -shs
Siggi Einars A veteran in the gay clubbing scene in Iceland. Photo/
On top of Sandheiði Mountain pass. The view over fog covered Dýrafjörður fjord. Photo /
páll stefánsson
Páll Stefánsson
Large & Small The largest of Iceland's 76 municipalities is Fljótdalshérað, east Iceland, population 89, but covering ten percent of the republic, or around the same size as Jamaica, or Lebanon. The municipality with the fewest inhabitants is Árneshreppur, in the West Fjords, population: 50 people, 6,650 sheep, and a couple of dogs, at least one of which is called Snati.
outnumbered. Inhabitants of many of Iceland's 76 municipalities are outnumbered by sheep.
ps
Illustration: IR/ Kristin Agnarsdottir
I
viewpoint
The Drive
The road to watching seals up close and buying farm made blueberry and rhubarb jam.
t is only 500 km / 310 miles to the point seen in the photo from downtown Reykjavík. First it´s 10 km (6 mi) on road 49 (Nesbraut) towards Ring Road 1 N, then 103 km (64 mi) until you turn left on road 60, Vestfjarðarvegur. But first take a break in the town of Borgarnes to get a sandwich and a soda. After 90 km (55 mi), you turn onto road 61, to Djúpvegur for the next 250 km (155 mi). This is a beautiful road, which ends in the town of Ísafjörður. But there are two stops on the way. The first is at Reykjanes, halfway along this stretch. Take a dip, in the big warm swimming pool. The hotel next door is the perfect place to have something good to eat before you continue. Next stop is the farm, Hvítanes, at the mouth of
Skötufjörður fjord, the best place to see seals. They seem to enjoy the attention they get from the few tourists passing by. The farmers at Hvítanes farm have even placed free to use binoculars in a box on top of the bench by their driveway so people can watch the seals up close. In the same box, there are jars of homemade blueberry and rhubarb jams from the farm. Buyers are expected to leave, ISK 1,000 (USD 7.9, EUR 6.3) per jar in the box, and more than 90 percent of the people who take jars pay. Then, after arriving in the town of Ísafjörður, turn left on road 60, Vestfjarðarvegur, for the next 26 km (16 mi). When you arrive in the Dýrafjörður fjord, turn left on road 624, continue for the next 18 km (11 mi), and you are HERE on top of Sandheiði mountain pass. Bon Voyage. ps@icelandreview.com
Your element • Steam rooms • Thermal baths • Sauna
ENNEMM / SÍA
The ideal stop between Thingvellir and Geysir – daily tours by Reykjavik Excursions
Laugarvatn Fontana is composed of a series of interconnected outdoor mineral baths and steam rooms, built over natural hot spring that Icelanders have used for bathing since year 1929. Welcome to a true, authentic Icelandic experience!
fontana.is
Open daily