Reykjavik: Magic Ice Bar Entrance and Welcome Drink

Reykjavik’s Magic Ice Bar is exactly what it sounds like: a chilly room where the walls, seats, decorations, and even your drinking glass are made of ice. The Viking carvings give the place more character than a simple frozen photo set, and the included signature drink makes the visit feel like an outing rather than a quick look around.

I like the ice-glass drink, which is the kind of small detail you remember after a trip. I also like the staff’s easygoing approach. Hosts such as Roman, Juliana, Asteris, and Kris have helped visitors take creative photos and made the short visit lively. The main drawback is size. Several people find the bar smaller than expected, so the $34 price can feel high if you are expecting a large, multi-room attraction.

Key points before you book

• More than 60 tons of ice: International ice artists create the sculptures and Viking scenes inside the gallery.
• One included drink: Your signature beverage arrives in a real ice glass, with extra drinks available to buy.
• Warm gear supplied: The venue provides a poncho and gloves, but you should still wear warm clothing.
• A short, unusual stop: It works well between other Reykjavik activities or as a casual evening plan.
• Photo-friendly staff: Hosts often help with phone photos and playful poses among the sculptures.
• Easy central meeting point: Enter the Álafoss store and go downstairs to reach the bar.

What the Magic Ice Bar experience is really like

This is not a long sightseeing tour or a full evening of entertainment. It is a compact, themed visit built around cold air, carved ice, one drink, and photographs.

That limited scale matters. You can see the main gallery without setting aside half a day, which makes the bar easy to fit into a Reykjavik schedule. I would think of it as a 30-minute to one-hour add-on, although the supplied information gives the activity a one-day validity rather than a fixed visit length. Check the available start times when booking.

The experience is especially useful on a day when the weather is poor. Reykjavik can be wet, windy, or dark for long stretches, and a warm indoor attraction is welcome. The joke is that this particular indoor attraction is kept at an arctic temperature, but the poncho and gloves help.

Finding the entrance below the Álafoss store

The meeting point is simple once you know the trick. The Magic Ice Bar is located below the Álafoss store, so you first enter the store and then head downstairs.

That detail is easy to miss if you are searching for a separate street-level door. Give yourself a moment to find the store entrance rather than assuming the bar has a prominent exterior entrance.

At the bar, staff greet you and provide the included poncho and gloves. Bring warm clothing anyway. The poncho covers much of your body, but your own layers make the cold easier to handle, especially if you plan to linger for photos or buy an additional drink.

A camera or phone is worth bringing. The ice gives you unusual backdrops, and staff may help take pictures. Several hosts have been praised for turning the photo stops into part of the entertainment, rather than simply pointing out the sculptures and sending you on your way.

The Viking carvings give the room a story

The strongest part of the gallery is its Viking theme. The ice carvings tell stories connected with Norwegian Viking sailors who crossed the rough Atlantic and eventually began new lives in Iceland.

You are not simply looking at random frozen shapes. The figures and scenes connect to the sea journeys, myths, and hard-edged world associated with Iceland’s early settlers. That context gives the room a sense of place, even though the attraction itself is modern and theatrical.

The craftsmanship is the reason to visit. More than 60 tons of ice are used in the gallery, and international ice artists carve the walls and sculptures. Look closely at the details rather than rushing straight to the bar. Faces, clothing, animals, and decorative patterns can disappear in a quick glance, especially when the room is busy.

The art also changes how you experience the cold. At first, the temperature is the main event. After a few minutes, your attention shifts to the carved walls, ice seating, decorative features, and larger sculptures. The chill becomes part of the setting instead of an obstacle.

A drink served in a real ice glass

Your admission includes one Magic Ice Bar signature drink. It is served in a glass made of ice, which is one of the most memorable details of the visit.

The drink itself has received plenty of praise, but the presentation is just as important. Holding a cold cocktail in an ice glass inside a frozen room is wonderfully over-the-top. It gives you something to do while you look around, and it turns the visit into a proper stop for adults rather than only a photo attraction.

Extra drinks are available to purchase if you want to stay longer. Keep the price in mind before ordering more. At $34 per person, the included drink is part of the value calculation, while additional purchases can quickly push the total higher.

The exact beverage selection is not specified, so you should not book this expecting a particular cocktail, spirit, or locally sourced recipe. The experience description refers to a locally sourced signature drink, and individual drinks may vary.

The best part may be the staff and photo help

A good host makes a big difference in a small attraction. The venue’s staff are often described as friendly, attentive, funny, and willing to help with phone photography.

Roman has been praised for making drinks and helping with photos. Juliana has been noted for her warm, accommodating manner, while Asteris has been singled out for welcoming service and creative photo help. Kris and Roma are also names associated with positive visits. Staff can change, so you should not book based on a promise that one particular person will be working, but the pattern is clear: the human touch matters here.

This is useful if you are traveling as a couple, with family, or alone. A solo visitor can still get good pictures without asking another customer. Couples can pose on the ice seating, and families can use the sculptures as a fun backdrop.

The photo help also adds value to the ticket. You are not just looking at art behind a barrier. You can interact with the setting and leave with pictures that show the scale and oddness of the place.

How large is the bar?

Set your expectations carefully. The Magic Ice Bar is a small experience, and some visitors find it smaller than expected. It is not a sprawling complex with many rooms or a long route through different galleries.

That is the central tradeoff. The compact layout lets you visit during a busy sightseeing day, but it also means you may finish sooner than expected. If you want a major attraction that occupies several hours, this is not the right choice.

I think the size works best when you combine the bar with another plan. Stop in after exploring central Reykjavik, before dinner, or during a break between activities. One visitor used it as a midday pause, while another paired it with dinner in the downtown area. That is a sensible way to use it.

The bar can also provide a change of pace from museums, churches, shops, and outdoor sightseeing. It is unusual enough to feel like a proper holiday activity, but short enough not to dominate your day.

Is $34 good value?

At $34 per person, the ticket is not cheap for a short visit. The price includes admission, the ice gallery, a poncho, gloves, and one signature drink. It also pays for the labor and upkeep needed to maintain a room made from more than 60 tons of ice.

The value depends on what you want. If you enjoy unusual venues, themed art, cocktails, and photos, the package is easier to justify. If you mainly want a drink, Reykjavik offers less expensive places to sit in normal temperatures.

I would be cautious about booking this as your only paid activity in Reykjavik. I would be more comfortable adding it to a broader day that already includes major sights. The attraction works best as a memorable extra, not as a full-day centerpiece.

There is also a novelty value that ordinary bars cannot match. Drinking from an ice glass while surrounded by carved Viking scenes is the kind of small travel story that sticks. You are paying partly for that setting.

Who will enjoy this most?

The Magic Ice Bar suits adults, couples, solo visitors, families, and anyone looking for something different. It is particularly good for:

• People who like unusual photo opportunities
• Couples wanting a playful stop before dinner
• Solo visitors who appreciate staff help with pictures
• Families with older children who can handle the cold
• Visitors needing a short indoor activity
• Anyone interested in ice carving or Viking themes

It may not suit you if you dislike cold rooms, do not drink alcohol, or want a large attraction with a long program. The supplied information does not specify an age requirement or a nonalcoholic drink option, so check directly if either point matters to your group.

The venue is wheelchair accessible, which makes it a practical option for many visitors. You should still consider the cold and the supplied clothing when deciding how comfortable the visit will be.

What to wear and bring

Wear warm clothing, even though the venue supplies a poncho and gloves. Layers are the safest choice. A warm base layer and covered shoes should make the visit more comfortable than relying only on the provided gear.

Bring your phone or camera. The artwork is made for pictures, and staff may offer to take photos for you. A charged phone is especially useful because you may want several attempts with different poses.

Do not assume you need to bring specialist winter equipment. The bar provides a poncho and gloves. Your job is mainly to arrive prepared for a cold room and to allow enough time to look at the carvings instead of treating the stop as a quick drink purchase.

Booking, cancellation, and timing

The experience is valid for one day, with available start times shown during booking. You can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Iceland plans depend on weather or changing sightseeing schedules.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. That gives you some flexibility, but check the exact booking terms attached to your selected time.

The host or greeter speaks English, and the activity is offered in English. No transport is included or required in the details provided. You make your own way to the Álafoss store and go downstairs to the bar.

Because the attraction is compact, booking a time around your other plans is more useful than treating it as a major fixed excursion. A visit before dinner is a natural fit, and a midday stop can break up a day of walking around Reykjavik.

My final take on the Magic Ice Bar

I would book this if I wanted a quick, quirky Reykjavik experience with good photo potential and a drink served in a genuinely icy setting. The Viking carvings, ice glass, and helpful staff give it more substance than a simple themed room.

I would not book it expecting a large gallery or excellent value from the admission alone. The bar is smaller than some people imagine, and $34 can feel steep for a short stop.

The best approach is to treat it as a compact highlight. Wear layers, bring your camera, enjoy the included drink, and let the staff help with the photos. If you like unusual attractions and accept the limited size, Magic Ice Bar is a fun addition to a Reykjavik day.

FAQ

Where is Reykjavik’s Magic Ice Bar located?

It is below the Álafoss store in Reykjavik. Enter the store and head downstairs to reach the bar.

What does admission include?

Admission includes entry to the Magic Ice Bar and gallery, one welcome drink, a poncho, and gloves.

Is the drink served in an ice glass?

Yes. The included Magic Ice Bar signature drink is served in a glass made of ice.

Can I buy more drinks?

Yes. Additional drinks are available to purchase at the bar.

How cold is the experience?

The room is kept at an arctic temperature, so you should expect it to be very cold. Warm clothing is recommended, even though a poncho and gloves are provided.

Is the Magic Ice Bar wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the activity is listed as wheelchair accessible.

Can I cancel my booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.