Prikið

Bankastræti 12

What have we done to deserve this? Prikið’s too-good-to-be-true happy hour serves thirsty and thrifty patrons beer for no more than 700 ISK. “You can’t fight with a 700 ISK beer. When does happy hour start? I’m thinking of going now,” joked a panellist. (It’s 16:00-20:00 every day — sometimes even longer.) Prikið works in mysterious ways. Who are we to speculate how they do it? We are but lowly slaves to the golden gods. Prikið’s patio is a gift on nice days, for when you want the cheapest beer in town and a good selfie for the socials.

Runners-up

Skólavörðustígur 8

From the same folks who brought us the best cocktail bar, Jungle, is best newcomer Bingó. The bar scored a full bingo by the panel, as it demonstrates good potential for an established drinking hole. “It has great potential. They make their own drinks as well as host events. It’ll be interesting to see how it develops,” said a panellist. Located behind Skólavörðustígur, on Bergstaðastræti, its inconspicuous location makes it a good place for when you need to impress the most knowledgeable of pub crawlers.

Runners-up

Uppi

Aðalstræti 12

Relatively new in the Reykjavík bar game, Uppi has eluded many a seasoned connoisseur. Offering a brand-new, high-end experience just above Fish Market on Aðalstræti (“uppi” translates to “upstairs”), Uppi is the place to visit when you seriously want to impress someone. It’s an intriguing bar, landing itself a spot as the runner-up for best newcomer — one we’ll keep our eyes peeled on in the future.

Veður

Klapparstígur 33

When Prikið’s happy hour is past and you’ve drunk more than enough beer, you might crave something slightly richer than fermented yeast. That’s when you head over to Veður. Why, might you ask? Because Veður offers a late cocktail happy hour. That’s right, from 19:00-21:00, a wide array of cocktails can be purchased for a measly 1800 ISK. “That late happy hour is the GOAT,” quipped one panellist.

Loft Hostel

Bankastræti 7

On the topic of day drinking on a good day, Loft’s patio will make you never want to leave. Offering a picturesque view over the city centre, Loft does its absolute best to keep you inebriated. From 16:00-20:00, the beer runs for just 750 ISK, leaving the rest of your hard-earned money free for tipping the bartender. Wait, that isn’t a thing here. Unless you want to, of course.

Previous Winners

2022: Bravó

2021: Bravó

2020: Kaffibrennslan

This French-inspired wine bar has earned its claim to fame by bringing a mixture of new and old-world oenology — that’s fancy-speak for the study of wine — to the world’s northernmost capital. Located on the second floor overlooking Laugavegur and Klapparstígur, it’s nary a stone’s throw from the bustle of the rest of Reykjavík nightlife. Aperó prides itself in offering quality wine from smaller producers, adding more diversity to Reykjavík’s wine scene.

Previous Winners

2022: Húrra

2021: Skuggabaldur (RIP)

2020: Röntgen