Reykjavik Entertainment

There is plenty of nightlife in this small city, particularly at the weekends. In addition, there is a vibrant arts and cultural scene in Reykjavik, which is actively nurtured by the government. Many of the dance and theatre companies are relatively new, having been founded in the 1950s and ‘60s.

Nightlife

Reykjavik’s nightlife is centred on and around the main street, Laugavegur. At the weekends, particularly in the summer, it is quite lively, as locals and tourist go from bar to bar on the traditional pub crawl, or runtur. The length of the queues in front of any of the clubs will give you an idea of how ‘hip’ the place is. 

Be aware that bar prices are very expensive, and you’ll find that many locals tend to consume a fair amount of alcohol at home before going out. The pubs and clubs begin to fill up around 23:30, often with rather drunk and rowdy people. However, you will find most Icelanders are pleasant and friendly to visitors.

Theatre and music

The National Theatre is constructed of black basalt and was the design of architect Gudjón Samúelsson. Building began in 1928, but was stopped during the 1930s due to a lack of funds. The opening was further delayed as British troops occupied the structure during WWII; but it finally opened officially in 1950. The ceiling is made of concrete and is modelled after the basalt columns that occur naturally in Iceland. A variety of cultural events are scheduled here from the autumn to the spring. 

The Icelandic Opera (Íslenska Óperan) is housed in a lovely old building, situated in the heart of the city. Before its conversion in 1982, the building was home to a movie theatre, and its original and unique decor has been maintained. Concerts that are held here range from the classical to the contemporary.

Reykjavik’s music scene is actually quite eclectic, going beyond opera and Bjork or Sigur Ros at the other extreme. There are many different genres here, from hip-hop, indie and hardcore punk rock to chamber music. Most nights of the week it’s possible to take in a concert. For live music, there is a rather rough venue called Gaukur á Stöng, at Tryggvagata 22, which claims to be Reykjavik’s oldest pub, and is clearly one of the most popular, hosting live music every night. 

Kaffi Reykjavik, located at Vifturgata 2, features a different band every night of the week, ranging from pop and rock to disco. This is an extremely popular venue, and be advised that things can get a bit rough here. If you’re looking for something more restrained and you enjoy jazz and blues, you might want to visit Kringlukráin, in the Kringlan shopping mall at Gaukurámtöng, Triggata 22.

Festivals

There are a number of events on the Reykjavik calendar each year, both arts and music related. The main arts festival is held in late spring and the main music festival occurs around October.

• In May or June of each year, the Reykjavik Arts Festival is held, featuring a full programme of events around the art of Iceland and other international cultures. Concerts, dance recitals, opera, theatre performance and exhibitions are presented. Many outstanding international performers and artists are featured. For further information, you can consult the website for the Reykjavik Arts Festival at: www.artfest.is/default.asp?lang_class=en.
• The well-established Iceland Airwaves music festival draws crowds from many countries each year, which come to hear the latest in Icelandic and international rock and pop music. The website for this festival is: www.icelandairwaves.com/.