Reykjavik Beer & Booze Tour

Reykjavik gets fun fast when you taste first. This small-group beer and booze tour is a practical way to try Icelandic drinks, learn what shaped the scene, and get local bar tips while walking downtown. I especially liked the 3-bar tasting plan and how the guide helped me understand the city center on foot.

For me, the biggest downside is that the experience depends a lot on the guide’s style and pacing. If you prefer your history delivered without prompting, or you get unlucky with bar choices, the tour can feel less engaging than the best versions.

Key Highlights Worth Your Evening

• Three real bars in about 2 to 2.5 hours, so you get variety without turning it into an all-nighter
• Small group cap of 12, which makes it easier to ask questions and actually talk with your guide
• Tastings built into the stops, including craft beers and options like snaps depending on what you choose
• Iceland alcohol history themes at each bar, including the long ban on beer
• City-center navigation help, so you can move around Reykjavik after the tour
• Local recommendations for other places to eat and drink, tuned to your tastes

Why Reykjavik Drinks Tours Feel Different Here

This is not just a walk where you get handed a drink. The structure matters. You meet, taste, and then get the why behind what you are tasting, with time to ask questions as you go. That combo is what makes the evening useful on your first or second day.

I also like that it is a straightforward downtown format. You are not crossing the island, and you are not stuck in one bar waiting for everyone to catch up. Instead, you move through a compact area and let the guide pace the group.

And yes, you get to talk with other people. Several guides are praised for humor and storytelling, which can turn a group of strangers into a friendly table by the second stop.

Price and What You Actually Get for $131.87

At $131.87 per person for roughly 2 to 2.5 hours, this is not a bargain snack tour. You are paying for three main things:

• Guiding and curation: someone chooses the bars and the drink lineup
• Multiple tastings: the tour includes beverages at each stop, including alcoholic drinks
• Time-saving direction: you learn where to go next without hunting blindly

If you already know you want to drink Icelandic beer or snaps and you want local context, the price starts to make sense. The value is highest when you treat it like an orientation plus a tasting session, not like a casual pub crawl where the guide is optional.

If you only want one drink and a quick stroll, you could probably do Reykjavik cheaper on your own. But you would miss the guided history threads and the tailored bar recommendations.

The 6:00 pm Plan, Timing, and How It Runs

The tour starts at 6:00 pm. You should be at Ingólfstorg Square area about 5 minutes early so the group can roll out on time.

Duration is listed as 2 hours to 2 hours 30 minutes, and the stops are paced so you are not wandering between places for long stretches. It is also designed to operate in all weather conditions, so you will walk outdoors. Bring a jacket you trust, and expect wind. Iceland weather does not care about your schedule.

The tour also has a maximum of 12 travelers. That small size helps keep conversations going and avoids the shuffle-and-wait problem you get on larger group tours.

Meeting Point at Hlöllabátar, Ingólfstorgi, Then Into the Night

You meet at HlöllabátarIngólfstorgi 1, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland. The good part of this meeting spot is that it puts you right where you want to be for a downtown evening, not out on the edge of town.

Stop 1 begins with a meet-and-greet at Your Friend In Reykjavik, then the group heads to the first bar. That initial handoff matters. It sets the tone, and it is also when you can ask questions like what to order, how strong snaps typically are, or what kind of beer might match your tastes.

Practical tip: if you are a little unsure about what to drink, speak up early. More than one guide is praised for steering people toward what they will like.

Stop 1: Your Friend In Reykjavik, Getting Oriented Fast

At the start, you get a quick welcome and then you are off to the first venue. This part is short, but it serves a purpose: it kicks off the evening before you drift into decision fatigue at the bar.

This is also where the guide can read the room. Several guide performances are described as funny and engaging, with good energy. If the guide is good at small talk and quick jokes, you will feel it right away.

If you tend to be quiet, do not worry. The structure keeps things moving, but the group stays small enough that you can still join conversations when you want.

Stop 2: Skúli Craft Bar and the Iceland Alcohol Story

Your second stop is Skúli Craft Bar. The time here is about 45 minutes, and it is built around a first tasting selection: Icelandic craft beers (or a snaps). This stop also focuses on the history angle, including the amusing and surprising story of alcohol in Iceland.

What I like about this stop is the mix of drink and context. You get the “what it is” first, then the “why it developed that way.” That order helps the history land. A beer ban or cultural shift feels abstract until you have something in your glass.

Potential drawback to keep in mind: one lower-rated experience complained that the guide did not volunteer much background unless people asked. So if you want lots of storytelling, come ready to ask. The format is set up for questions, and the best guides are quick to engage.

Stop 3: Session Craft Bar, Four Beers and a Social Pace

Next up is Session Craft Bar for about 50 minutes. Here the tasting gets more structured. You sample four different Icelandic beers (or a couple of Icelandic snaps). After those tastings, the guide shares more tips, tricks, and stories about the craft beer and booze scene, with the group slightly more relaxed from sampling.

This is a smart pacing choice. By the third stop, you are warmed up. You can compare flavors and styles more clearly. Also, you start noticing the differences between breweries and how people talk about beer in Iceland.

This stop is where you can learn the most practical “what to order next” advice. Guides are repeatedly praised for giving recommendations that people actually use later in their trip.

If you dislike alcohol-heavy evenings, this is the point to think about your own pace. You can often take it slower with each pour and still enjoy the comparisons.

Stop 4: Ölstofa Kormáks og Skjaldar and the 74-Year Beer Ban

Your final tasting stop is Ölstofa Kormáks og Skjaldar. The time here is about 45 minutes, and the theme is history with a standout drink. You sample a unique award-winning Icelandic beer and talk about the ban of beer in Iceland for 74 years.

This is the stop that turns the tour from “fun drinking” into “I get why this culture is like this.” A long beer ban is the kind of detail that makes the rest of the scene feel less random. Once you understand that, you can taste the recovery and evolution, not just the present-day flavor.

Also, this bar is repeatedly described in positive terms as a place you cannot easily find on your own. Even if you are not a beer superfan, the story and the specific beer choice make this a memorable finish.

End time and final location are listed as Ölstofa43W9+6HG, Vegamótastígur, 101 Reykjavík.

The Guide Makes or Breaks It, So Here’s What to Look For

The tour’s reputation is strong, and many comments focus on guide quality. Names that show up in high praise include Stefán, Bo, Chris, Helgi, Kris, Matt (Matthias), Óli (Ólafur), Olafur, Arnar, and Svenbjörn. Across those guides, the common strengths are:

• Humor and storytelling that keep history from sounding like a lecture
• Good bar choices and a tasting lineup that feels intentional
• Local recommendations for what to do after the tour

So what should you do as a reader? If you want the best version of the experience, arrive ready to interact. Ask questions like what style Icelandic craft beer is known for, or what a local might choose on a typical night out.

Also, note that a small number of unhappy experiences complained about issues like an overly drunk or disengaged guide, or bars feeling empty. That is not the norm based on the overall rating, but it is a reminder to keep expectations flexible and treat it as a guided evening, not a guarantee of a party atmosphere.

Included Drinks, Age Requirements, and Pacing Reality

The tour includes beverages and explicitly includes alcoholic beverages. The minimum drinking age is 20, so make sure your ID is ready.

In practice, the tasting setup includes options like beers or snaps. Some people love beer comparisons, while others prefer snaps. Either way, you get a structured sampler, not just a single choice at each stop.

One more pacing note from the way the stops are described: by the third bar, people can be “a little tipsy,” and the guide keeps the storytelling going in that mood. If you are sensitive to alcohol, go slow early. You can still enjoy the walking, the city tips, and the history.

Who This Tour Fits Best (And Who Might Prefer Another Plan)

This is best for you if:

• You like craft beer or Icelandic spirits and want to taste several options
• You want a first-night orientation to Reykjavik’s downtown drinking scene
• You enjoy hearing the story behind food and drink, not just the logistics
• You want a small group where you can ask questions without shouting

It might not be the best fit if you want:

• A purely quiet educational museum-style lecture with zero drinking focus
• A totally predictable bar party vibe
• A tour where you will never have to speak up to get detailed background

If you are unsure, think about your own style. If you are comfortable asking for recommendations, this tour tends to reward you.

Smart Ways to Get the Most Out of Every Stop

A few small moves make a big difference:

• Pick one flavor you like early, then ask the guide what to try next based on that
• Ask what to order at each bar so you can learn beyond the included pours
• Take note of the bar names as you walk, then use your guide’s recommendations later
• Go in hydrated, since multiple tastings and walking will affect you faster than you expect
• Dress for wind and rain, because the tour runs in all weather

If you are traveling solo, this format is friendly because the guide sets the rhythm and the small group size makes it easy to talk. If you are traveling with friends, it can be a fun shared experience that still lets each person choose their pace.

Should You Book Reykjavik Beer and Booze?

Yes, you should book it if you want a fun evening that also helps you understand Reykjavik. The strongest reasons are the three-stop tasting plan, the small-group format, and the guide-led mix of drink plus cultural context. The stop at Ölstofa Kormáks og Skjaldar and its connection to the 74-year beer ban is the kind of detail that makes the tour feel more than just drinking.

Book with an open mind if you care about history but also want a lively atmosphere. And if you are picky about guide energy, arrive ready to engage. The best versions of this tour are guided, social, and question-friendly.

FAQ

What time does the Reykjavik Beer & Booze Tour start?

The start time is 6:00 pm.

How long is the tour?

It runs about 2 hours to 2 hours 30 minutes.

Where do I meet the guide?

You meet at HlöllabátarIngólfstorgi 1, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland (Ingólfstorg Square area). Arrive about 5 minutes early.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

No, hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

Does the tour include alcoholic beverages?

Yes. Beverages are included, including alcoholic beverages.

How many bars are visited?

The tour includes tastings at 3 bars, after a short meet-and-greet at the start.

What is the minimum drinking age?

The minimum drinking age is 20.

Is the tour only in English?

Yes, it is offered in English.

Is the tour held in bad weather?

It operates in all weather conditions, so you should dress appropriately.

Quick Note

If you want, tell me your travel dates and whether you prefer beer over snaps, and I can help you pick the best day and plan around this 6:00 pm start.