Reykjavik Beer & Booze Tour

Reykjavik’s beer story is stranger than you might expect: beer was banned in Iceland for 74 years, only becoming legal again in 1989. This tour turns that odd bit of history into a sociable evening of Icelandic beer, snaps, city walks, and local bar advice.

I like the small groups of no more than 12 and the fact that you visit three different bars rather than sit in one place all night. I also like the mix of drinks. You may taste several craft beers, try snaps, choose from a range at one stop, or even pour your own beer. The main drawback is that the quality of the evening depends heavily on your guide and the group. Most feedback is glowing, but one unhappy booking described an unengaging guide and quiet bars.

Key points to know before booking

• Three central Reykjavik bars: The route includes Skúli Craft Bar, Session Craft Bar, and Ölstofa Kormáks og Skjaldar.
• Iceland’s unusual beer history: You’ll hear how a 74-year prohibition shaped the country’s drinking culture.
• A social, walking format: The group moves between bars, with time for questions, city orientation, and conversation.
• Several tasting styles: Expect Icelandic beers, with snaps available as an alternative at some stops.
• Useful local advice: Guides share recommendations for bars, restaurants, and things to do after the tour.
• A compact evening commitment: The tour begins at 6 p.m. and lasts about two to two and a half hours.

Why Icelandic beer makes a good Reykjavik introduction

This is not simply a pub crawl. The best part is the connection between the drinks and Icelandic culture.

Iceland’s beer prohibition lasted until 1989, much longer than many visitors expect. That gives your guide a strong story to tell as you move through the city. You are not just sampling a flight and checking off a few bars. You are learning why beer has such a recent place in modern Icelandic life.

The tour also works well as an informal orientation walk. You start near Ingólfur Square in the center and finish at Ölstofa Kormáks og Skjaldar on Vegamótastígur. By the end, you have a better sense of where the central bars are and which parts of downtown are useful for an evening out.

I especially like this format for a first night in Reykjavik. You get a drink in hand, a short walk between stops, and a guide who can point you toward more places to eat or drink later. If you are traveling alone, the small group gives you an easy way to meet people without signing up for a long formal sightseeing tour.

Meeting at Ingólfur Square at 6 p.m.

The tour begins at Hlöllabátar, at Ingólfstorg 1. You should arrive at Ingólfur Square about five minutes before the 6 p.m. start. Hotel pickup is not included, but the meeting point is in central Reykjavik and close to public transportation.

The opening meet-and-greet is brief, around five minutes. Your guide gathers the group and leads you toward the first bar. Since the maximum group size is 12, you should have a reasonable chance to hear the guide and ask questions while walking.

This is also a useful moment to mention your preferences. The tour centers on beer, but snaps can be offered instead at some stops. One participant who was not normally interested in beer was guided toward a flavor she enjoyed, so it is worth saying if you prefer something lighter, different, or less beer-focused.

The age requirement is 20. Bring identification if you might be asked to prove your age. The tour runs in all weather, so wear a warm layer and shoes that are comfortable for walking on Reykjavik’s streets.

Stop one: Skúli Craft Bar and the story of prohibition

The first full stop is Skúli Craft Bar, where you spend about 45 minutes. This is where the tour settles into its main rhythm: taste an Icelandic craft beer, or possibly a snaps, while your guide explains the unusual history of alcohol in Iceland.

Starting here makes sense. You are still fresh, so the historical information is easier to follow, and the first tasting gives you a reference point for the rest of the evening. Your guide can explain what you are drinking and put Iceland’s modern craft-beer scene into context.

The setting also gives the group time to get acquainted. These tours can include couples, solo participants, and groups of friends from several countries. The best evenings seem to build gradually, with questions and conversation becoming easier after the first drink.

Do not expect a museum-style lecture. The tone is meant to be funny and conversational. Guides such as Bo, Óli, Stefán, Chris, Matthias, Arnar, and Helgi have all been praised for mixing local stories with practical advice. The individual guide assigned to your date may be different, but the guide’s personality is an important part of the experience.

Stop two: Session Craft Bar and a broader tasting

At Session Craft Bar, the tour spends about 50 minutes. This is the longest stop, and it is where you sample four different Icelandic beers, or a couple of Icelandic snaps if that suits you better.

The larger tasting is useful because Icelandic craft beer is not one single style. Four samples give you a better sense of the range than one standard pint would. You can compare flavors, talk about what you prefer, and ask your guide why certain drinks are popular or unusual.

This is also the point where the evening becomes more relaxed. The guide shares tips, funny stories, and practical advice about Reykjavik’s craft-beer and bar scene. One guide has even taught the group how to toast in Icelandic and shared a playful Icelandic phrase about forgetting yogurt. Small details like that can make the walk feel less like a packaged tasting and more like an evening with a local host.

Some outings include a choice of beer at one stop, and one participant particularly enjoyed pouring their own selection. That option is not guaranteed every time, so treat it as a possible extra rather than a fixed part of the program.

Because you may have tasted several drinks by this point, pace yourself. The tour is short, but it includes alcohol at multiple stops. The guide may keep the mood lively, yet you remain responsible for your own comfort. Drink water when available, eat beforehand, and do not plan to drive afterward.

Stop three: Ölstofa Kormáks og Skjaldar

The final stop is Ölstofa Kormáks og Skjaldar, where you spend about 45 minutes. Here, the focus is a distinctive award-winning Icelandic beer and the story behind it.

This bar is presented as a place to try something you may not find elsewhere. That gives the final stop a clear purpose rather than making it feel like a random last drink. The guide can return to the larger question of how Iceland’s beer culture developed after the long ban.

The tour ends here on Vegamótastígur, rather than returning you to the original meeting point. That is convenient if you want to continue your evening in central Reykjavik, but you should note the arrangement before booking. You will need to make your own way back to your accommodation.

The three listed stops are the core route. One account describes visiting four brew pubs, so the exact flow may vary by date, group, or guide. The dependable pattern is a central walking route, three main bar visits, and several Icelandic tastings.

The guides make the difference

The strongest part of this tour is the guide-led conversation. Names praised in the supplied feedback include Bo, also identified as Sveinbjörn, Óli, Stefán, Chris, Matthias, Arnar, Helgi, and Olaf.

Bo is described as funny and well informed, with a good sense of humor. Óli receives praise for his friendly manner, beer knowledge, and ability to make a group feel comfortable. Stefán is noted for combining beer and restaurant advice with stories about Iceland. Chris is a good fit for someone who wants both city orientation and local background.

That range matters because this is not a silent tasting. The guide is responsible for explaining the drinks, filling the walking time, answering questions, and helping strangers talk to one another. When that works, the evening feels easy and personal.

There is one important caution. A single poor account describes a guide who seemed drunk, took the group to empty backstreet bars, and provided little useful information. Another less positive assessment said the guide offered background only when asked. Those comments are outliers beside the 4.9 rating from 166 reviews and the 96 percent recommendation rate, but they are worth noting. If the guide is not explaining the drinks or history, ask direct questions early. You will get more from the tour if you take part in the conversation.

What $131.87 buys you

At $131.87 per person, this is not a cheap night of drinking. Reykjavik’s drinks are expensive, and the price includes the beverages, a professional local guide, the walking route, and the organization of visits to three bars.

The value depends on how much you want the explanation and social setting. If you only want to buy a few beers, you can spend less on your own. If you want to compare several Icelandic drinks, hear the country’s beer story, get advice on other places, and meet people during your first evening, the price is easier to justify.

I would not book this solely for quantity. The appeal is the combination of tastings and access to a local guide. You are paying for the route, the context, and the chance to avoid guessing which central bars are worth your time.

The tour is often booked about 57 days ahead. That suggests planning is sensible, especially if you have a short stay or need a specific evening. A minimum of two people is required for departure. If that minimum is not reached, the operator may cancel and offer another date or a full refund.

Who will enjoy this most

I would choose this tour if you:

• Like beer, spirits, or food-and-drink culture
• Want an easy first-night activity in Reykjavik
• Prefer a small group to a large bus or formal tasting
• Enjoy history when it comes with jokes and conversation
• Want recommendations for bars, restaurants, and things to do
• Are traveling alone and would like a built-in social setting

It is also a good choice for people who are not serious beer experts. The tone is accessible, and snaps may be available. One person who expected not to care much about beer found a style that suited her, which suggests you do not need a strong preference before booking.

I would be more cautious if you dislike alcohol, want a quiet cultural walk, or need a tightly controlled tasting menu. The tour involves several stops and a social drinking pace. It is not designed as a nonalcoholic Reykjavik history tour.

Timing, weather, and practical details

The tour starts at 6 p.m. and lasts approximately two to two and a half hours. That leaves the rest of the evening open, but remember that the route ends at the final bar rather than at the starting point.

You should dress for Icelandic weather even if the forecast looks calm. The tour operates in all conditions, and you will walk between bars. A warm, weather-resistant layer and practical footwear will make the evening more comfortable.

Mobile tickets are accepted, and the activity is offered in English. Most people can participate, but the operator does not provide hotel pickup or drop-off. Public transportation is nearby.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Within 24 hours, the payment is not refunded, and changes are not accepted. The same 24-hour timing applies to the local cut-off.

Should you book the Reykjavik Beer and Booze Tour?

Book it if you want a social introduction to Reykjavik that combines local drinks, a curious piece of Icelandic history, and three central bars. The small group, multiple tastings, and practical recommendations give it more value than a simple bar crawl.

I would book it early if this is your first night in town, especially if you want help getting your bearings. Go in expecting a guide-led evening rather than a perfectly fixed tasting menu, since the guide and group shape the mood.

Skip it if you are not interested in alcohol or if you prefer to choose your own bars. For beer lovers, solo visitors, and anyone who likes a good story with a drink, this is a well-focused way to spend two hours in central Reykjavik.

FAQ

Where does the Reykjavik Beer and Booze Tour start?

It starts at Hlöllabátar, Ingólfstorgi 1, near Ingólfur Square in central Reykjavik. You should arrive five minutes before the 6 p.m. start.

Where does the tour finish?

The tour ends at Ölstofa Kormáks og Skjaldar on Vegamótastígur in central Reykjavik. Hotel transportation is not included.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately two to two and a half hours.

How many bars does the tour visit?

The planned route visits three bars: Skúli Craft Bar, Session Craft Bar, and Ölstofa Kormáks og Skjaldar.

What drinks are included?

Beverages and alcoholic drinks are included. The tastings focus on Icelandic craft beers, and snaps may be offered as an alternative at some stops.

What is the minimum drinking age?

The minimum drinking age for this tour is 20.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience begins. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund.