Reykjavik
Reykjavik's most romantic drinking rooms are the ones locals use for first dates. The date night bars on this list span every neighbourhood worth a trip — the central districts all show up — and every price tier from a $5 local pour to a $25 hotel-bar tasting. Each bar earns its spot for a different reason. We have visited every one.
CITY CENTRE · $$$ · COCKTAIL BARS
Apotek Restaurant Bar draws a steady local crowd in City Centre. Booking is recommended on weekends. Walk-ins are usually possible early in the evening. Order: the bar's house signature. Best time: Tuesday and Wednesday before 9pm, when the regulars haven't filled the room yet. Best for cocktail-curious drinkers who want technique without theatre. Saturday after 10pm gets crowded — book ahead or arrive early.
A CONVERTED APOTHECARY. THE ROOM IS PRESERVED EARLY 1900S — MARBLE COUNTER · $$$ · COCKTAIL BARS
Apotek is a heritage Reykjavik cocktail bar in a converted apothecary. The room is preserved early 1900s — marble counter, antique apothecary cabinets, dim warm. Order: the bar's house signature. Best time: any weeknight between 7pm and 9pm, when the bar settles into its rhythm and the bartender has time to talk. Best for cocktail-curious drinkers who want technique without theatre. Friday from 8pm fills up; reserve a counter seat or a high table.
THE CENTRE · $$ · COCKTAIL BARS
The Big Lebowski Bar is Reykjavik's most theatrical themed bar — built entirely around the 1998 Coen Brothers film. White Russians are the signature drink (24 v. Order: the bar's house signature. Best time: Sunday from 6pm, when it's the room's quietest premium night and the kitchen is unhurried. Best for cocktail-curious drinkers who want technique without theatre. Avoid post-match nights if the local team is playing — the upstairs gets loud.
CITY CENTRE · $$ · COCKTAIL BARS
Bjórskóli (Beer School) draws a steady local crowd in City Centre. Booking is recommended on weekends. Walk-ins are usually possible early in the evening. Order: the bar's house signature. Best time: Thursday late or Friday early, when you'll catch the room building toward its weekend tempo. Best for cocktail-curious drinkers who want technique without theatre. First-Friday traffic in the district can mean a 20-minute wait at the door.
THE CENTRE · $$ · COCKTAIL BARS
Björgardurinn — meaning 'Beer Garden' — is a craft beer specialist near Frakkastigur. The bar pours around 70 taps including Icelandic, Nordic, and internationa. Order: the bar's house signature. Best time: Tuesday and Wednesday before 9pm, when the regulars haven't filled the room yet. Best for cocktail-curious drinkers who want technique without theatre. Saturday after 10pm gets crowded — book ahead or arrive early.
CITY CENTRE · $$ · COCKTAIL BARS
Bjorinn Craft Beer Bar draws a steady local crowd in City Centre. Booking is recommended on weekends. Walk-ins are usually possible early in the evening. Order: the bar's house signature. Best time: any weeknight between 7pm and 9pm, when the bar settles into its rhythm and the bartender has time to talk. Best for cocktail-curious drinkers who want technique without theatre. Friday from 8pm fills up; reserve a counter seat or a high table.
GRANDI · $$ · COCKTAIL BARS
Bryggjan Brewery draws a steady local crowd in Grandi. Booking is recommended on weekends. Walk-ins are usually possible early in the evening. Order: the bar's house signature. Best time: Sunday from 6pm, when it's the room's quietest premium night and the kitchen is unhurried. Best for cocktail-curious drinkers who want technique without theatre. Avoid post-match nights if the local team is playing — the upstairs gets loud.
GRANDI · $$ · COCKTAIL BARS
Bryggjan Craft Beer draws a steady local crowd in Grandi. Booking is recommended on weekends. Walk-ins are usually possible early in the evening. Order: the bar's house signature. Best time: Thursday late or Friday early, when you'll catch the room building toward its weekend tempo. Best for cocktail-curious drinkers who want technique without theatre. First-Friday traffic in the district can mean a 20-minute wait at the door.
SQUARE. THE ROOM IS PRESERVED EARLY 1900S — WOODEN FLOORS · $$ · COCKTAIL BARS
Café Paris is a heritage café-bar on the Austurvöllur main square. The room is preserved early 1900s — wooden floors, dim warm lighting, brass fittings — and th. Order: the bar's house signature. Best time: Tuesday and Wednesday before 9pm, when the regulars haven't filled the room yet. Best for cocktail-curious drinkers who want technique without theatre. Saturday after 10pm gets crowded — book ahead or arrive early.
CITY CENTRE · $$$$ · COCKTAIL BARS
Dill Restaurant Bar draws a steady local crowd in City Centre. Booking is recommended on weekends. Walk-ins are usually possible early in the evening. Order: the bar's house signature. Best time: any weeknight between 7pm and 9pm, when the bar settles into its rhythm and the bartender has time to talk. Best for cocktail-curious drinkers who want technique without theatre. Friday from 8pm fills up; reserve a counter seat or a high table.
Use this guide either as a single curated route through Reykjavik or as a checklist to revisit over a long weekend. Reservations are flagged where they matter. Otherwise, walk in. Below: the ten date night bars that any serious drinker in Reykjavik would tell you to put on the list.
Apotek Restaurant Bar draws a steady local crowd in City Centre. Booking is recommended on weekends. Walk-ins are usually possible early in the evening. Order: the bar's house signature. Best time: Tuesday and Wednesday before 9pm, when the regulars haven't filled the room yet. Best for cocktail-curious drinkers who want technique without theatre. Saturday after 10pm gets crowded — book ahead or arrive early.
Apotek is a heritage Reykjavik cocktail bar in a converted apothecary. The room is preserved early 1900s — marble counter, antique apothecary cabinets, dim warm. Order: the bar's house signature. Best time: any weeknight between 7pm and 9pm, when the bar settles into its rhythm and the bartender has time to talk. Best for cocktail-curious drinkers who want technique without theatre. Friday from 8pm fills up; reserve a counter seat or a high table.
Looking beyond Reykjavik? See our guide to the best date-night bars worldwide, or compare date-night bars city by city.