Reykjavik Beer & Booze Tour

Reykjavik’s beer story is stranger than you might expect. Beer was banned in Iceland for 74 years, and this tour turns that odd fact into a lively evening of tasting, walking, and local stories. You will visit three central bars, sample Icelandic beer or snaps, and finish at a place known for a hard-to-find Icelandic brew.

I like the small-group format, with no more than 12 people, and the way the tour doubles as a quick orientation to downtown. I also like the practical local advice, from restaurant suggestions to tips on which bars to try later. The main caution is that this is a social drinking tour, and the quality of the evening depends partly on your guide. One poor experience described a guide who offered little information, so expectations should stay realistic.

Key points at a glance

• Three central Reykjavik bars: Visit Skúli Craft Bar, Session Craft Bar, and Ölstofa Kormáks og Skjaldar during a roughly two-hour walking route.
• A strange beer story: Learn how Iceland managed a 74-year beer ban and how that shaped the country’s drinking culture.
• Four beers at one stop: Session Craft Bar includes a tasting of four Icelandic beers, or Icelandic snaps if that better suits the group.
• A small group capped at 12: You have room to ask questions and chat with your guide and fellow drinkers.
• Guides with personality: Bo, Óli, Stefán, Chris, Matthias, Helgi, Arnar, and others have been praised for humor, stories, and recommendations.
• A useful first-evening activity: The 6 p.m. start gives you a quick feel for central Reykjavik before choosing where to eat or drink later.

Three bars and one odd Icelandic beer story

This is not a pub crawl built around racing from bar to bar. It is a guided tasting walk through central Reykjavik, with each stop used for a different part of the story. You get drinks, but you also get a map in your head: where the bars are, how the center fits together, and which places may be worth returning to.

The tour lasts about two to two-and-a-half hours. It begins at 6 p.m. at Hlöllabátar on Ingólfur Square and ends at Ölstofa Kormáks og Skjaldar on Vegamótastígur. You do not return to the starting point, so think of this as a short moving route rather than a round-trip activity.

The age requirement is 20. Alcoholic drinks are included, and the price is $131.87 per person. That is a serious price for a two-hour activity, especially in a city where drinks are already expensive. The value comes from the number of tastings, the local guide, the small group, and the time saved finding suitable bars on your own.

I would book it for the access and explanation, not simply for the alcohol. If you only want to buy a beer, you can do that more cheaply. If you want several samples, a guided walk, stories about Icelandic drinking customs, and a ready-made social evening, the price becomes easier to justify.

Meeting at Ingólfur Square at 6 p.m.

You meet your guide five minutes before the start at Ingólfur Square. The meeting point is central and near public transportation, which makes it practical if you are staying in the downtown area. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to reach the square yourself.

The opening five minutes are a meet-and-greet before the group heads to the first bar. With a maximum of 12 people, the group is large enough to feel social but small enough for questions. Some departures may be much smaller. One reported group had only three people, while another included a couple who effectively received a private-style outing because they were the only participants.

That size can change the mood. A full group may feel lively and give you more people to talk with. A tiny group can make it easier to ask detailed questions and shape the tasting around your interests. The minimum departure size is two people, so the tour can be canceled if that number is not reached.

Dress for Icelandic weather. The tour operates in all weather conditions, and you will walk between bars. You do not need outdoor gear for a long excursion, but a waterproof layer and sensible shoes are wise. Wet streets and a cold evening are a poor match for light clothing and slippery shoes.

First stop: Skúli Craft Bar and the beer ban

At Skúli Craft Bar, the tasting begins with a selection of Icelandic craft beers or a snaps. The exact choice can depend on the group and the guide. This stop also introduces the unusual story of alcohol in Iceland, including the long ban on beer.

Beer was prohibited in Iceland for 74 years. That fact gives the tour a useful starting point because it helps explain why modern Icelandic beer culture feels relatively young compared with many European countries. Instead of treating beer as an old national tradition, you start by looking at how recently it became a normal part of public life.

The first stop lasts about 45 minutes. That is enough time for a drink, an explanation, and conversation without feeling rushed. A strong guide can make this the point where the evening shifts from ordinary bar visit to cultural lesson.

This is also where your guide matters most. Bo, known as Sveinbjörn, has been praised for mixing facts with humor. Stefán is noted for stories about Icelandic history, beer, restaurants, and local life. Other guides, including Arnar and Helgi, have been singled out for choosing drinks that suited the people in their groups.

If beer is not your favorite, do not assume the tour will be wasted on you. One participant who did not usually care for beer found a particular recommendation enjoyable. The itinerary allows for snaps, and the guide may be able to point you toward a style that suits you better. Still, alcohol is the center of the activity, so this is not a general Reykjavik food tour.

Second stop: four Icelandic beers at Session Craft Bar

Session Craft Bar is the main tasting stop. The plan calls for four different Icelandic beers, or a couple of Icelandic snaps. With roughly 50 minutes here, you have time to compare the drinks and ask what makes them different.

The tasting may feel more substantial than a single sample at each bar. One account describes nine different beers across three pubs, while another mentions a choice of beers and the chance to pour your own at one location. The exact number and presentation can vary, so I would not book this expecting a fixed flight with identical pours every night. The supplied plan specifically promises four beers at Session, with the broader evening built around several drinks.

This is the part of the tour where the social side tends to take over. The group has already met, everyone has heard the basic story, and conversation becomes easier. You might learn a few Icelandic toasting customs, hear funny local phrases, or pick up tips about the city’s bars and restaurants.

The guides praised most often are entertaining as well as informed. Chris has been credited with giving solo participants a relaxed way to get their bearings and meet people. Matthias has been praised for explaining the craft beer scene and recommending places nearby. Óli has received strong marks for friendly service, humor, and beer knowledge.

There is a practical benefit here. Reykjavik’s center is compact, but it is not always obvious which bar suits a particular mood. Your guide can explain where you are and what else is nearby. That advice can be more useful than a long list of attractions because it helps you decide what to do after the tour ends.

Final stop: Ölstofa Kormáks og Skjaldar

The final stop is Ölstofa Kormáks og Skjaldar, located on Vegamótastígur. Here you sample a unique award-winning Icelandic beer and hear more about its background. The stop lasts about 45 minutes.

This is presented as the place to try something you may not find elsewhere. That makes the finale more than another standard pint. It gives the evening a clear finish: first the beer ban and general drinking culture, then a wider tasting, then one unusual local beer to close.

The end point also matters for your plans. Since the tour finishes in the city center rather than back at Ingólfur Square, you can continue on foot to dinner or another bar. Your guide may also suggest places to go next. Several guides have been praised for restaurant and bar recommendations, which can be especially helpful on your first night.

Do keep an eye on your own pace. Three stops and several samples can add up, particularly if you also choose snaps. The tour is designed for adults who want to drink, not for anyone hoping to remain completely sober while collecting a few tiny tastes.

How good is the value at $131.87?

At $131.87, this is not a cheap activity. Iceland is expensive, and included drinks help, but the price still deserves a close look. The tour lasts only two to two-and-a-half hours, and there is no hotel transportation or meal.

The strongest case for the price is convenience. You receive the drinks, a professional English-speaking guide, a planned route through three bars, and a steady stream of explanation. You do not have to research where to go, decide what to order, or spend the first night guessing which places are worth your time.

The small group also adds value. A 12-person limit is far better for conversation than a large bus-style outing. You can ask about beer, local customs, restaurants, or the rest of your itinerary. Some groups are much smaller, which may make the experience feel more personal.

The weaker case is for a confident beer drinker who already knows Reykjavik’s center. You could visit bars independently and spend less, especially if you order only one or two drinks. You also have to accept some uncertainty about the exact drinks and the guide’s style.

The overall rating is 4.9 from 166 reviews, with 96 percent recommending it. That points to a strong track record, but it does not remove the one important variable: the guide. Most praise focuses on guides who are funny, warm, and full of information. One low rating described an intoxicated guide, empty backstreet bars, and little value. Another person found the guide too quiet and learned less than expected.

Those comments are a reason to book with the right mindset. You are paying for a hosted social evening, not a formal lecture with a guaranteed script. When the guide is engaged, the experience seems to work very well. If the guide offers little beyond carrying the group between bars, the price feels high.

Who will enjoy this evening most?

I would choose this tour if you like beer, want a social start to your Iceland trip, or prefer learning a city through places where locals drink. It is particularly useful for solo visitors because the format gives you a natural group and a reason to talk.

It also suits couples and small groups who want a planned night without handing over the entire evening to a large organized excursion. A group of friends can treat it as a starting point before dinner, while a couple can use it to find bars they might return to later.

You do not need to be a beer expert. The tour includes stories, local customs, and city orientation, so the cultural side matters as much as the tasting. It can work for someone who prefers snaps or who is curious about Icelandic drinks but does not usually order craft beer.

I would skip it if you do not drink alcohol, dislike walking between venues, or want a quiet meal rather than a social evening. I would also think twice if your main goal is a detailed history course. The guide’s style shapes how much background you receive.

Smart booking advice for your Reykjavik schedule

This makes sense early in your stay. The tour starts at 6 p.m., and the route through central Reykjavik can help you get your bearings before you explore on your own. It also works near the end of a trip, when you want an easy evening built around local drinks.

The tour is often booked well ahead, with an average booking time of 57 days. If your dates are fixed, book early. The minimum is two people, and a departure can be canceled if that minimum is not met. If that happens, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations inside 24 hours are not refunded, and changes are not accepted in that final period. The cutoff follows local Reykjavik time.

Because the tour runs in all weather, check the forecast before leaving. You will be indoors for the tastings, but the route between bars is part of the activity. Arrive at Ingólfur Square five minutes early so the group can leave on time.

Should you book the Reykjavik Beer and Booze Tour?

Book it if you want three central bars, several Icelandic tastings, a curious story about the 74-year beer ban, and a small group that can introduce you to Reykjavik’s drinking scene. The best guides, including Bo, Óli, Stefán, Chris, and Matthias, appear to bring humor, history, and useful local advice to the walk.

The price is high, and the tour is not a perfect fit for nondrinkers or anyone seeking a fixed, formal tasting menu. But for a beer-loving solo visitor, couple, or small group, it offers a practical first look at the city and a friendly way to spend an evening. I would book it near the start of your stay, then use the guide’s recommendations to plan the rest of your Reykjavik nights.

FAQ

Where does the Reykjavik Beer and Booze Tour start?

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

Where does the tour end?

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

How long does the tour last?

The activity lasts about two to two-and-a-half hours.

How many bars do you visit?

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

What drinks are included?

Alcoholic beverages are included. You may taste Icelandic craft beers, and the itinerary also allows for Icelandic snaps. Session Craft Bar includes four different Icelandic beers or a couple of snaps.

What is the minimum drinking age?

The minimum drinking age for this tour is 20.

How large is the group?

The tour has a maximum of 12 participants. At least two people are required for a departure.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted for a refund.