Reykjavik: Magic Ice Bar Entrance and Welcome Drink

Reykjavik’s Magic Ice Bar turns Viking stories into a chilly walk-through gallery, with more than 60 tons of ice shaped into carvings, furniture, and sculptures. Your ticket includes a welcome drink served in a real ice glass, plus a poncho and gloves to help with the cold.

I like the easy photo opportunities and the friendly bar staff, especially when Roman or Asteris is working behind the counter. I also like that this is a simple city activity you can fit between sights, dinner, or a northern-lights outing. The catch is size: several people find the bar smaller than expected, so $34 can feel steep if you want a long visit.

Key points to know before you go

• More than 60 tons of ice: The Viking carvings and sculptures give the bar its main appeal.
• One drink is included: It arrives in a glass made from ice, with extra drinks available to buy.
• Warm gear is supplied: You receive a poncho and gloves, but you should still wear warm clothing.
• The venue is below Álafoss: Enter the store first, then head downstairs to find the bar.
• Photo help is part of the fun: Staff often take playful photos using your phone.
• Plan a short stop: The experience works well as a break in your Reykjavik day, but may feel brief for the price.

Entering Reykjavik’s only ice bar

Magic Ice Bar is located below the Álafoss store in Reykjavik. You enter through the shop and go downstairs, so do not expect a separate street-level entrance with a large outdoor sign.

At the bar, staff greet you and provide a poncho and gloves. You should still wear warm clothing. The supplied gear helps, but you are entering a room designed to stay cold, and several people describe the temperature as a major part of the experience.

That cold is not just a gimmick. It makes the ice walls, seats, tables, and carved details feel real rather than decorative. You are not looking at a few frozen ornaments in a warm cocktail lounge. You are stepping into a refrigerated room where the bar itself is part of the artwork.

The venue is wheelchair accessible, which makes this a useful option for people looking for an indoor Reykjavik activity with a different setting. Specific details about access inside the room are not provided, so it is sensible to confirm any personal access needs before booking.

Viking stories carved into the walls

The central theme is Icelandic Viking history. The ice carvings tell stories of Norwegian sailors who crossed the rough Atlantic and began new lives in Iceland, also known as the land of fire and ice.

You will find more than 60 tons of ice in the gallery, shaped by international ice artists. The appeal is in the detail. Ice catches the light differently from wood or stone, and the carvings can look sharp, blue, cloudy, or glasslike depending on where you stand.

Some of the most enjoyable parts are not just the wall carvings. The bar furniture and display pieces are made from ice too, giving you plenty of places to stop for photographs. One person specifically enjoyed sitting on an ice throne, while another liked the hockey table. These features give the room a playful side alongside the Viking theme.

I would not expect a large museum or a series of spacious rooms. The ice bar is a compact experience, and that is important when you judge the price. You get a focused art installation rather than a full afternoon attraction.

The included drink in an ice glass

Your admission includes one Magic Ice Bar signature drink. It is served in a glass made of ice, which is the small detail that makes the welcome drink feel connected to the setting.

The drink itself receives plenty of positive attention, with descriptions ranging from tasty to delicious. The exact beverage can vary, so you should not book this expecting a particular cocktail unless the bar confirms it in advance. Extra drinks are available for purchase if you want to stay longer or try something else.

The ice glass is best understood as part of the experience rather than a reason to compare the price with a normal cocktail. You are paying for the drink, the cold room, the sculpture gallery, and the unusual setting together.

If you do not drink alcohol, the supplied information does not specify a nonalcoholic option. Ask the staff what is available when you arrive.

Friendly staff and better photo memories

The staff can make a big difference here. Several people describe the team as warm, funny, attentive, and willing to help with photographs. Roman is singled out for making drinks and taking photos, while Asteris is described as a welcoming bartender with a good eye for photo opportunities. Other names appearing in feedback include Juliana and Kris.

Do not be shy about asking staff to take a picture with your phone. This seems to be an ordinary part of the visit, not an added photo package. Staff have helped with creative poses and family shots, which is useful because ice rooms are difficult places to photograph well on your own.

The photo help also gives the visit some energy. Without it, you might walk through the room, take a few pictures, finish your drink, and leave. A friendly bartender can turn that short stop into a small shared activity.

Service is not guaranteed to feel identical on every visit. One person found the bartender distant and unresponsive, so the staff experience can vary. Most of the available feedback is strongly positive, but I would treat the bar team as a pleasant bonus rather than the main reason to buy a ticket.

How long the visit feels

The ticket is valid for one day, with available starting times shown when you check dates. The supplied information does not give a fixed visit length, so think of Magic Ice Bar as a short city activity rather than a timed tour lasting several hours.

That format suits Reykjavik well. You can stop in after walking around town, before dinner, or during a break from outdoor sightseeing. One person used it as a midday pause, while another paired it with dinner downtown afterward.

Going earlier may give you a quieter room. A visit early in the day was comfortable for someone traveling with an 81-year-old parent, and the staff still made the stop enjoyable. A quieter time can also help if you want photographs without waiting for space around the sculptures.

The bar can also work in bad weather. It is indoors, and one visitor even found it warmer inside than outside during winter. Still, do not confuse indoors with warm. The room remains cold by design.

Is $34 a fair price?

At $34 per person, this is not a bargain bar stop. If you measure the ticket against one included drink, the value looks weak. Reykjavik is expensive, but you are still paying a noticeable amount for a small attraction.

The price makes more sense if you want something unusual and photograph-friendly. Your ticket covers the gallery, the ice furniture, Viking carvings, poncho, gloves, and one drink in an ice glass. Extra drinks cost more, so budget accordingly if you plan to turn the visit into a longer bar session.

I would book it for a special occasion, a couples activity, a family stop, or a trip where you want one experience that is clearly different from museums, churches, and outdoor tours. Solo visitors can enjoy it too. One solo visitor liked the experience despite thinking it had a couples feel.

I would hesitate if you expect a large ice palace, several rooms, or a full evening of entertainment. The room is smaller than some people imagine, and a few visitors feel the ticket is expensive for the amount of time inside.

The overall rating is 4 from 2,536 ratings, which fits the picture: strong enjoyment of the concept, sculptures, drink, and staff, balanced by concerns about size and cost.

What to wear and bring

Wear warm clothing even though a poncho and gloves are supplied. Layers are the sensible choice, especially if you are visiting after time outdoors in Reykjavik. You will be able to return the provided poncho and gloves when you leave.

Bring a camera or phone. The ice sculptures are the main visual draw, and the bar staff may help you create better photos. Wipe condensation from your phone if needed when moving between the cold room and warmer areas.

Comfort matters more than dressing up. You can have fun with the poncho and take playful pictures, but you do not need special clothing or equipment. The important items are warm layers and a charged phone.

Who will enjoy Magic Ice Bar most

This works best for you if you like unusual attractions, themed bars, sculpture, and quick photo stops. It is also a good choice when the weather is poor or when you want to break up a day of walking around central Reykjavik.

Couples may enjoy the setting, but the activity is not limited to them. Families, groups of friends, and solo visitors can all use the space for photographs and a drink. Staff attention seems to be a large part of the fun, especially for people who enjoy a bit of joking around.

Older visitors can also consider it. The poncho and gloves help with the cold, and a quiet early visit may feel easier. Since the venue is wheelchair accessible, it offers an indoor option for people who cannot manage a more demanding outdoor activity, though you should confirm the details that matter to you.

You may want to skip it if you dislike cold rooms, do not drink, or prefer attractions with a lot of content for the price. The artistic work is impressive, but the room remains compact.

Booking, cancellation, and practical details

The host or greeter speaks English, and the activity is offered in English. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately.

Check the available starting times for your chosen date. The ticket is valid for one day, but that does not mean you can arrive at any time without checking availability.

Find the Álafoss store first, then head downstairs. Allow yourself enough time to locate the entrance, especially if you are fitting this between a meal and another booking.

My verdict: book it for the novelty

I would book Magic Ice Bar if you want a short, memorable Reykjavik stop with a real sense of place. The Viking carvings, ice furniture, welcome drink, and photo-friendly staff give it more character than a standard themed bar.

I would not book it expecting a huge attraction. At $34, the visit needs to feel special to justify the cost, and its compact size may disappoint you if you want a long tour.

The best approach is to treat it as a 30-minute-style city break, though the exact time is not specified, and pair it with dinner or more sightseeing nearby. Wear layers, ask the staff for photo help, and enjoy the ice glass as part of the show. If that sounds like your kind of Reykjavik memory, it is worth adding to your plans.

FAQ

Where is Magic Ice Bar Reykjavik located?

It is located below the Álafoss store in Reykjavik. Enter through the store and head downstairs.

What is included in the ticket?

The ticket includes entry to Magic Ice Bar, one welcome drink, a poncho, and gloves.

Is the drink served in a normal glass?

No. The included signature drink is served in a glass made of ice.

Are extra drinks available?

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

How cold is the ice bar?

The room is very cold because it is built around ice sculptures and ice furnishings. Wear warm clothing even though a poncho and gloves are provided.

What should I bring?

Bring warm clothing and a camera or phone for photographs.

Is Magic Ice Bar wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the activity is listed as wheelchair accessible.

What language is the experience offered in?

The host or greeter speaks English, and the activity is offered in English.

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.