Pink Iceland was the first LGBT-focused travel specialist in Iceland, coordinating and organizing everything from weddings to private excursions and guided tours. Two of the company's three owners, Eva Maria Thorarinsdottir Lange and Hannes Palsson (the third is Eva Maria's partner Birta), share their picks for the best of Reykjavik, whether you're gay, an ally, or just looking for a great time.
Kiki
Reykjavik's sole gay bar Kiki Queer Bar gets high marks from Eva Maria. "It’s the only LGBT club in the country and offers a predictably packed dance floor every weekend, a mixed crowd, and a friendly vibe!"
Reykjavik Roasters
Icelanders will proudly tell you that Starbucks wasn't able to make headway in this hyper-caffeinated country. Both Eva Maria and Hannes recommend Reykjavik Roasters, just a few blocks from Pink Iceland's offices on trendy Hverfisgata. "I often wonder whether the foreign guests coming in for a cup of the best coffee in Reykjavik realize they’re surrounded by some of the best artists, actors, and writers in the country," Eva Maria says. Hannes also makes a case for " Ida Zimsen, a bookstore and cafe right next door to the Reykjavik Art Museum. They stock great books, great coffee, and I can take my dog there. What's not to like?"
Kaldi Bar
Kaldi is one of Iceland's biggest beer breweries, and their central Reykjavik bar Kaldi Barserves their brews alongside liquor and other drinks. "It's a firm favorite with the over-30s and for someone who prefers great conversation over late-night dancing; it’s the perfect place to hang out any night of the week," says Hannes.
Sundhöllin
No visit to Iceland is complete without a trip to a thermal bath. Many Icelanders stop in for a swim first thing in the morning before work, which is a good way to get warm in the harsh winters. "I love all the geothermal swimming pools in Reykjavik," says Eva Maria, "but my favorite is the Art Deco–ish indoor swimming pool, aptly named Sundhöllin (The Swimming Palace). It’s located right in the center of town and loved by local hipsters and senior citizens alike."
Grillid
"It's really hard to pick a favorite restaurant as there are just so many excellent choices," says Hannes. "My favorite is probably the Grillid Restaurant located on the top floor of the Radisson Blu Saga Hotel. My first memory of going there is from the late '80s and it’s been consistently amazing ever since. That kind of longevity is unusual in the Icelandic restaurant industry, but it's well deserved!"
Kex Hostel Kex Hostel, which is Icelandic for "biscuit," is an upscale hostel in, naturally, a former biscuit factory. But even if you're not staying there, the bar is worth a visit, and the hostel hosts film, music, and art events regularly. And you're as likely to spot locals in the Kex lobby as you are tourists. " Hlemmur Square, Kex, and Loft Hostels are all internationally acclaimed and awarded hostels with great design, frequent concerts, and a terrific selection of local and foreign beers," Eva Maria says.
Slipbarinn
The menus at this restaurant inside the Icelandair Hotel Reykjavik Marina come tucked inside retro comic books, and the drinks have appropriately cartoonish names: The Incredible Hulk, for example, features pistachio, honey, and chocolate bitters. Your best bet is the "fish in a pan" daily special, which is literally brought over to your table still inside the pan it was cooked in. "It’s one of the few hotel bars in Iceland that attracts loads of locals," Hannes says.
Grótta
For a day trip that gives you a taste of the Icelandic countryside but won't take you too far away from the city, Hannes recommends a trip to his hometown. "I love visiting the Grótta area of my hometown, a mere five minutes' drive from downtown Reykjavik. You can go out to the peninsula, turn your back on the city, and feel like you’re alone with nature. While you’re there make sure to keep an eye out for the Grótta footbath, a hollowed-out piece of rock filled with warm geothermal waters.
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