Practical information : Going out Iceland
Timetable
Happy hour is practiced by many establishments, and sometimes starts early when it comes to bars/clubs (it can start at noon and finish around 8pm). Generally speaking, some clubs close late (5am), and are often packed. As is the case in France, they tend to come alive from midnight onwards.
There areonly a few cin emas in Iceland, and their opening times need to be checked. For example, the cinema in Reykjavik's Kringlan shopping center opens only from 8am to 4pm, while the cinema in the city (Bio Paradis) opens in the evening.
Budget & Tips
The average price of a beer in Iceland is between €7 and €10. That's a pretty steep price! Tipping is not compulsory in Iceland, so it's up to you to decide what you want to add (or not).
The Reykjavik City Card entitles you to a 25% discount on shows at Harpa and Bio Paradís.
Admission to nightclubs is generally free in Iceland, except in the case of certain events or concerts, for example.
To be booked
It's especially advisable to come in advance when there's a concert evening planned, to save space. In this case, admission may be charged.
La Harpa offers a wide range of events (concerts, shows, conferences) all year round, and tickets can be purchased via the website. On event nights, the Harpa restaurant organizes its service to finish 30 minutes before the start of the show.
Night transport
Some bus routes run until around 1am. Walking alone at night in the capital is not usually a problem for anyone.
Age restrictions
Alcohol consumption in Iceland is permitted from the age of 20, so nightclubs don't serve alcohol to anyone under 20. Sometimes, this age limit may be raised to 22. Age is sometimes checked, but not always. However, it is advisable to take your identity card with you.
What's very local
In Iceland, "go out as you are"! There's generally no dress code required if you're going out, so there's no need to dress up if you feel like it.
At weekends, the streets of the capital come alive for the runtur! The tourists of the day give way to the revelers of the night in full effervescence. If you're strolling through the capital in the early hours of the morning, you're sure to come across some of them busy getting home, or the dustmen busy cleaning up the night's mess.
Smokers
Smoking is prohibited inside nightclubs and bars in Iceland. The purchase of vaping products is prohibited for minors.
