Reykjavik: Beer and 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 2.5-hour walk turns that odd fact into a lively introduction to Icelandic culture, with tastings at three central bars and up to 10 local beers along the way.

I like the generous tasting lineup and the small-group feel. Guides such as Kristjan, Arnar, Astor, and Ástþór bring humor and local stories, while the route gives you a quick city-center orientation. The main drawback is that two of the bars may feel fairly ordinary, and the tour is not suitable for anyone under 20.

Key points to know before you book

• Ten Icelandic beers are included: You can sample a broad range of local craft beers, with some varieties available only in Iceland.
• Three central bars make up the route: Stops include Skúli Craft Bar, Session Craft Bar, and Ölstofa.
• You can choose spirits instead: The alternative tasting includes five schnaps and spirits, including the chance to try Iceland’s famously strong Black Death.
• The beer ban is part of the story: Your guide explains Icelandic drinking laws, Viking-era brewing, and the country’s modern microbrewery revival.
• Small groups help the conversation: You can ask about food, nightlife, Reykjavik, and Icelandic customs as you walk.
• The meeting point needs care: Meet by the two tall stone pillars at Ingólfur Square, not at either of the statues elsewhere in central Reykjavik.

Why Icelandic beer makes a good introduction to Reykjavik

Iceland is famous for waterfalls, volcanoes, and hot pools, but its beer culture gives you a more social way into the country. At the start of this tour, you get the city beneath your feet, a drink in hand, and a guide who can explain how Iceland went from old brewing traditions to today’s small craft breweries.

The story has a comic twist. Beer was illegal for 74 years, even after some other alcoholic drinks became available. Beer Day, celebrated on March 1, marks the end of that ban in 1989. You will hear about this unusual chapter alongside stories of Viking brewing, Icelandic alcohol laws, and the recent growth of microbreweries.

That context matters because the drinks are not presented as random samples. You get a reason to pay attention to what is in your glass and why modern Icelandic beer has become such a popular part of a visit to Reykjavik.

The tour is also a useful first-night activity. Your guide can point you toward places to eat, bars for later, and parts of the center worth exploring. It is not simply a sequence of drinks with no connection to the city around you.

Meeting at the two stone pillars in Ingólfur Square

The official meeting point is Ingólfur Square, in front of Center Hotels Plaza at Aðalstræti 6. Look for the two stone pillars, each more than three meters high, and arrive at least five minutes before the start.

This detail is worth taking seriously. Central Reykjavik has several statues and public squares, and the instructions specifically warn you not to go to the statue of Ingólfur Arnarson or the statue of Jón Sigurðsson at Austurvöllur. Those are not the meeting points.

If you are walking down Laugavegur, continue straight until you reach the square. Using Google Maps is sensible, since Icelandic street names can be tricky to match with the addresses shown in booking information.

Your guide usually wears a light blue jacket marked Your Friend in Reykjavik on the back. The route is on foot, so wear layers and shoes suited to a short city walk. Icelandic weather can change quickly, and you will be moving between bars rather than staying indoors all evening.

A short orientation at Ingólfur Square

The walk begins with a brief guided stop at Ingólfur Square, lasting about 10 minutes. This is not a full sightseeing tour of Reykjavik, but it helps you place the center before the tastings begin.

That short introduction is useful if you have just arrived or are visiting on a stopover. You get a sense of the central streets and can ask your guide practical questions while the group is still getting acquainted.

The social side is one of the better reasons to choose this format. The guide is not only pouring beer and reciting facts. Guides including Kristjan, Arnar, Astor, and Ástþór have been praised for being funny, friendly, and good at bringing everyone into the conversation. If you are in a very small group, you may have plenty of time to ask about Icelandic culture beyond beer.

Skúli Craft Bar: the first serious tasting

The first major stop is Skúli Craft Bar, where you spend roughly an hour tasting beer and possibly whiskey. It is described as an iconic craft beer stop, and you may get to try a new Icelandic beer that is not yet widely available.

This is the best point in the tour to pay attention to the range of styles. You may find lighter or sweeter choices alongside stronger, more distinctive beers. That matters if you are traveling with someone who does not usually drink beer. One guide was especially good at finding lighter options for a reluctant beer drinker, who ended up enjoying the tasting.

The stop is long enough for conversation rather than a rushed sample and departure. You can ask what to order later in your trip, which beers are easiest to find, and how Icelandic breweries use local ingredients and freshwater.

The whiskey tasting mentioned in the route may appeal to people who want a little variety, but the main experience remains beer-focused. If you prefer spirits from the beginning, you can choose the separate tasting option of five schnaps and spirits instead of 10 beers.

Session Craft Bar: a shorter stop with more local flavor

Next comes Session Craft Bar, with about 45 minutes devoted to beer. The name signals its focus on craft brewing, and this stop keeps the tasting moving without lingering too long in one place.

I like this middle stop as a chance to compare your impressions from Skúli with another bar setting. You are still learning about Icelandic beer, but the walk and change of venue keep the evening from feeling like a formal lecture.

Do not expect every bar to have the same atmosphere. One guide described the first two locations as only okay, while the final bar had the strongest atmosphere. That is a fair reason to book this for the overall evening rather than for one perfect pub. The value comes from the guide, the range of drinks, and the chance to see several places in one outing.

Ölstofa: the final pour and a possible spirit tasting

The last stop is Ölstofa, where the schedule allows another 45 minutes of beer. Depending on your selected tasting, this may also be where you try schnaps or spirits, including Iceland’s well-known Black Death.

Ölstofa can be the most atmospheric part of the night. The stop gives you time to settle into the group, compare favorites, and decide what you might order later during your stay. If you are on the spirits version, the stronger pours make this a point where pacing matters.

Ten samples over 2.5 hours is a generous amount of alcohol, even though the tasting is spread across several bars. Eat before you arrive, since food is not included, and take the guide’s suggestions for a meal afterward. Pregnant people and anyone under 20 should not book this activity.

The route information lists the end around Ölstofa and Bastarður Brew Pub, while the activity details identify the meeting point as the return point. Check your exact booking instructions for the final arrangement, but plan to finish in central Reykjavik with food and nightlife nearby.

Ten beers or five Icelandic spirits

The standard option includes 10 Icelandic craft beer samples. That is the clear choice if you want to understand the country’s current beer scene and compare several local styles in one evening.

Some of the beers may be difficult to find outside Iceland, and you might even taste a brewery release that is not yet on the market. This is a good reason to take notes or remember the names of the beers you like. Icelandic drinks can be expensive, and a guided tasting lets you sample widely without buying a full glass of every option.

The alternative is five different schnaps and spirits. This suits you if beer is not your favorite or if you want to try more traditional Icelandic drinking options. The tour description specifically highlights Black Death, known in Iceland as Brennivín, as one possible spirit.

You will not receive food with either option. A meal before or after is important, especially because the tasting includes many samples. The guide can help you choose where to eat when the tour ends.

What the $112 price gets you

At $112 per person, this is not a cheap pub outing. Alcohol costs a lot in Iceland, and the included drinks are the main reason the price can make sense. Ten craft beer samples across three bars would add up quickly if you bought comparable drinks separately.

You are also paying for a guide, the city walk, the cultural background, and the chance to sample beers that may not be available elsewhere. The value is strongest if you want to taste widely and would otherwise spend an evening buying several drinks on your own.

The price is less attractive if you only want one or two casual beers or prefer to explore bars independently. It is also not the right pick if you are looking for a food tour, since no snacks or meal are included. One guide did provide snacks during an outing, but that should not be treated as part of the standard package.

The rating is 4.9 from 52 reviews, and the most consistent praise centers on the guides, the amount of alcohol included, and the relaxed way the group learns about Iceland. That points to the real strength of the tour: it combines a tasting with a friendly introduction to the city.

Who will enjoy this beer walk most

I would choose this tour for adults who want a social first evening in Reykjavik, especially if you enjoy craft beer and like hearing local stories while you drink. It also works well for a stopover, since the activity lasts 2.5 hours and stays in the central area.

It suits a mixed group better than you might expect. A person who is not a strong beer drinker can ask for lighter or sweeter options, and the five-spirit choice gives you another way to take part.

The small-group format is helpful if you want direct conversation with the guide. Several outings have been particularly small, even private, which allowed time for questions about Icelandic culture and daily life. A private group is also available if you want more control over the mood and conversation.

I would skip it if you dislike alcohol, need a full meal during an evening activity, or want a quiet sightseeing walk. The point is social tasting, and the number of samples means you should plan the rest of your night sensibly.

Practical details that matter

The tour is conducted in English. All drinks are included, but hotel pickup and drop-off are not. You meet in central Reykjavik and walk between the bars, with no transport provided.

Bring a passport or ID card. Iceland’s legal drinking age is 20, and the activity does not allow anyone under 20 inside the bars. Children and infants cannot join, and the experience is not suitable for pregnant people.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Reykjavik plans may change.

Should you book the Reykjavik Beer and Booze Tour?

Book it if you want a generous tasting, local beer you may not find elsewhere, and a guide-led introduction to Reykjavik nightlife. The strongest part is the combination of drinks and conversation. Guides such as Arnar and Ástþór have made the history and culture feel easy to follow, while Kristjan and Astor have been praised for warmth, humor, and personal attention.

Go in with realistic expectations. Not every bar will be your favorite, food is not included, and 10 samples require pacing. But if you are over 20, enjoy trying local drinks, and want useful advice for the rest of your stay, this is a practical way to get your Reykjavik evening started.

FAQ

How long does the Reykjavik Beer and Booze Tour last?

The tour lasts 2.5 hours. Starting times vary, so check availability when booking.

Where does the tour meet?

Meet your guide at Ingólfur Square in central Reykjavik, by the two stone pillars in front of Center Hotels Plaza at Aðalstræti 6.

How many drinks are included?

The standard tasting includes 10 Icelandic craft beer samples. You can instead choose five different schnaps and spirits.

Which bars does the tour visit?

The route includes Skúli Craft Bar, Session Craft Bar, and Ölstofa.

Is food included?

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

Can people under 20 join?

No. Iceland’s legal drinking age is 20, and the tour does not allow anyone under 20 inside the bars.

Is the tour available in languages other than English?

The live tour guide conducts the experience in English.