Reykjavik Beer & Booze Tour

Reykjavík gets better after the first pint. This two-hour to two-and-a-half-hour walking tour combines Icelandic beer tastings, three central bars, and lively stories about the country’s unusual drinking culture. I like the small group size, capped at 12 people, and the way the tour helps you get your bearings in central Reykjavík. I also like that the guide offers local suggestions for restaurants, bars, and other things to do.

The main caution is simple: this is a social drinking tour, not a formal beer seminar. Most feedback praises the guides for humor and useful background, but one poor experience describes an unengaged guide and disappointing bar choices. The quality of your evening may depend quite a bit on who leads your group.

Key Things to Know Before You Go

• Icelandic beer takes center stage: You sample several local beers, with the option of Icelandic snaps at some stops.
• Three central bars are included: Skúli Craft Bar, Session Craft Bar, and Ölstofa Kormáks og Skjaldar form the advertised route.
• The beer-ban story is a highlight: Your guide explains why beer was banned in Iceland for 74 years and how drinking culture changed afterward.
• Small groups make conversation easy: The tour accepts a maximum of 12 people, and some departures are much smaller.
• It is useful on your first night: The route helps you learn the downtown streets and gives you ideas for later meals and drinks.
• The price is not pocket change: At $131.87 per person, the value depends on how much you care about guided tastings, local context, and social company.

Starting at Ingólfur Square at 6:00 p.m.

The meeting point is by Hlöllabátar at Ingólfstorgi 1, in central Reykjavík. You should arrive about five minutes early. The tour begins at 6:00 p.m., a useful time if you want to turn the evening into dinner and further drinks afterward.

There is no hotel pickup, so you make your own way to the square. The meeting point is near public transportation, and the route stays in the city center. That matters in Reykjavík, where walking between bars is far easier than arranging separate transportation for a short night out.

The opening five minutes are mostly a greeting and introduction before the group heads to the first bar. This is not a long orientation. You meet the guide, meet the rest of the group, and get moving.

The company uses several guides, including Bo, Stefán, Chris, Óli, Matthias, Arnar, Helgi, Kris, and Sveinbjörn. Feedback regularly praises their humor, storytelling, and local suggestions. That range also explains why the tone can differ from one departure to another. If a particular guide is available when you book, it may be worth requesting that person, though availability is not guaranteed.

Skúli Craft Bar and Iceland’s Strange Alcohol Story

The first full stop is Skúli Craft Bar, where you begin with a selection of Icelandic craft beers or a snaps. You spend about 45 minutes here, which gives the guide time to explain what you are drinking instead of rushing through a quick sample.

The most interesting part is the story of alcohol in Iceland. Beer was banned for 74 years, an odd fact that becomes a useful key to understanding the country’s modern drinking culture. Your guide discusses how that ban shaped local attitudes toward beer and why Iceland’s craft brewing scene is a relatively recent development.

This is also a good point to ask questions. If you are curious about Icelandic drinking customs, local bars, or what to order later in your trip, speak up early. The best feedback about this tour repeatedly highlights guides who mix facts with jokes and personal recommendations.

The beer selection can vary. The description promises Icelandic craft beers, while some accounts describe trying several different styles and even unusual options such as a piña colada beer. Do not expect every departure to serve the exact same lineup. That flexibility is part of the fun, but anyone seeking a fixed tasting menu should keep expectations modest.

Session Craft Bar and Four More Icelandic Samples

At Session Craft Bar, the tasting becomes more substantial. The planned stop lasts about 50 minutes and includes four different Icelandic beers, or a couple of Icelandic snaps for those who prefer spirits.

This is likely the most useful stop for people who want variety. Rather than tasting only one house beer, you get a chance to compare several Icelandic brews. One account describes nine beers across three pubs, while another mentions a self-pour choice at one bar. The exact number and format can change, but the pattern is clear: you should expect more than a single token sample.

The guide also uses this stop for practical advice about Reykjavík’s craft beer and booze scene. Once everyone is a little tipsy, the conversation tends to loosen up. That can make the tour more social, especially if you arrive alone or with only one companion.

A solo visitor may find this setting especially useful. One person described meeting people on the tour and seeing some of them again later in the trip. That is not guaranteed, of course, but a small group, shared tastings, and a walking route give conversation a natural start.

If you do not care much for beer, the tour may still work, but you should tell the guide what you like. One participant who was not usually interested in beer enjoyed a recommendation matched to her taste. The availability of snaps also gives you another option, though this remains mainly a beer-focused outing.

Ölstofa Kormáks og Skjaldar and the Final Pour

The final listed stop is Ölstofa Kormáks og Skjaldar on Vegamótastígur. The group spends roughly 45 minutes here sampling a distinctive award-winning Icelandic beer and discussing its background.

This bar is presented as the place to try something you may not find elsewhere. That makes the last stop more than a routine final drink. It gives the evening a clear ending point and a final chance to connect one particular beer with Iceland’s brewing story.

The tour ends at the bar rather than returning to Ingólfur Square. That is convenient if you want to stay in the area for dinner or continue your evening. It also means you should plan your route home from Vegamótastígur, not from the original meeting point.

The advertised itinerary lists three bars. One account describes four brew pubs, so the route may occasionally vary. Treat the three listed stops as the reliable plan, and consider any extra pub as a possible bonus rather than something included in the promise.

What the Guides Do Best

The strongest part of this experience is the human element. The guides are not simply carrying beer from one bar to another. At their best, they explain the drinks, share Icelandic customs, point out places you might otherwise miss, and keep the group laughing as it moves through downtown.

Bo is repeatedly praised for combining facts with a good sense of humor. Stefán is noted for stories about Icelandic history, beer, restaurants, and everyday life. Chris is praised for helping a solo participant get oriented on the first day. Óli receives high marks for friendliness and expertise, while Matthias is singled out for his craft beer suggestions and area recommendations.

Sveinbjörn adds small cultural touches, including how to toast in Iceland and a playful Icelandic phrase that sounds like I forgot my yogurt. These small details give the evening more character than a basic pub crawl.

The guides also appear willing to adjust the experience. One guide selected beers suited to a participant’s preferences, and another offered small snacks that paired with the tastings. Such touches are not listed as a guaranteed feature, but they show how much the guide can shape the evening.

There is one important counterpoint. A three-star experience says the guide offered little information unless asked, while a one-star account describes poor energy and empty bars. Those reports are outnumbered by enthusiastic praise, but they are worth taking seriously. If you want detailed beer education at every stop, ask questions and make your expectations clear at the beginning.

A Walking Tour That Helps You Learn Reykjavík

The route is valuable even beyond the drinks. Reykjavík’s center is compact, but a first evening can still feel unfamiliar. Walking from square to bar gives you a basic map of the nightlife area without requiring you to study directions or choose every stop yourself.

You also get recommendations you can use after the tour. Several descriptions praise guides for suggesting restaurants, bars, and other places nearby. This is one reason the experience works well early in your Iceland visit. You can turn the guide’s advice into plans for the next few nights.

The tour is conducted in English. It operates in all weather, so you need to dress for Iceland’s conditions rather than assuming a dry evening. The walking is through central Reykjavík, but alcohol, weather, and uneven energy levels can make the route feel longer than two hours. Wear comfortable shoes and bring a layer that handles wind or rain.

The stated duration is approximately two to two-and-a-half hours. That is long enough for conversation and several tastings, but short enough to leave your night open. You should not book it if you need to be somewhere at a precise time immediately afterward.

Is $131.87 a Fair Price?

At $131.87 per person, this is an expensive night out if you compare it with buying one or two drinks independently. Iceland is costly, and bar prices can add up quickly, but the price here covers more than beverages.

You are paying for several tastings, a local guide, a planned route through three bars, cultural background, and the ease of joining a ready-made social group. Some descriptions mention a substantial number of samples, including four beers at one stop and as many as nine across the evening. The exact amount can vary, so I would not calculate the value by counting promised glasses.

The better question is how you like to explore. If you enjoy learning through food and drink, want an organized first evening, or are traveling alone, the fee can make sense. You also receive local suggestions that may save you time and help you avoid random choices later.

If you already know Reykjavík’s center, prefer choosing your own bars, or drink very little, the cost is harder to justify. You could spend less by visiting one or two places on your own. The tour earns its price through the guide and the social setting, not simply through the alcohol.

Who Will Enjoy This Tour Most?

I would recommend it most strongly to people who:

• Like trying regional beer and spirits.
• Want a relaxed introduction to Reykjavík nightlife.
• Are visiting Iceland for the first time.
• Prefer a small group rather than a large pub crawl.
• Enjoy history, jokes, and conversation along with tasting.
• Want restaurant and bar suggestions from a local guide.
• Are traveling alone and would like an easy way to meet people.

It can also suit couples or groups of friends. A group of six had an especially social evening, while departures with only two or three people still received positive feedback. A smaller group can feel almost private, though it may also be quieter if the personalities do not click.

I would be cautious about booking it for someone who dislikes alcohol, wants a strict educational tasting, or expects a luxury food-and-drink experience. The tone is casual and social. You may learn a good deal, but the amount of detail depends on the guide and on how actively you join the conversation.

Booking, Age, Weather, and Cancellations

The minimum drinking age for this tour is 20. A departure requires at least two people. If that minimum is not reached, the company may cancel and offer another date or a full refund.

The group maximum is 12 people, which keeps the experience manageable in small bars. Confirmation arrives when you book, and the tour operates in all weather. Dress appropriately for Reykjavík, especially because the experience involves walking between venues.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted. The cut-off follows local Reykjavík time.

Should You Book the Reykjavik Beer & Booze Tour?

Book it if you want a friendly introduction to Icelandic beer, a useful walk through central Reykjavík, and a chance to meet people over several tastings. The best departures seem to combine sharp local stories, humor, flexible beer choices, and practical advice you can use for the rest of your trip.

I would schedule it near the start of your visit, ideally on your first or second evening. You will learn the downtown bar area, hear the memorable story of Iceland’s 74-year beer ban, and leave with ideas for where to eat and drink next.

Skip it if you prefer to explore independently or if $131.87 feels too high for a guided night out. Also remember that the guide matters. The strongest experiences are warm, funny, and full of local detail, while the weakest reports describe a passive guide and uninspiring stops. For most beer lovers and curious first-time visitors, though, the small group, broad tasting, and cultural context make this a worthwhile Reykjavík evening.

FAQ

Where does the Reykjavik Beer & Booze Tour start?

It starts at Hlöllabátar, Ingólfstorgi 1, 101 Reykjavík, near Ingólfur Square.

What time does the tour begin?

The tour begins at 6:00 p.m. You should arrive at Ingólfur Square five minutes before the start.

Where does the tour end?

The listed ending point is Ölstofa Kormáks og Skjaldar at Vegamótastígur in central Reykjavík.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately two to two-and-a-half hours.

How many bars does the tour visit?

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

What drinks are included?

Beverages and alcoholic drinks are included. The experience focuses on Icelandic craft beers, with Icelandic snaps available at some stops.

What is the minimum drinking age?

The minimum drinking age for this tour is 20.

How large is the group?

The maximum group size is 12 people. At least two people are required for a departure.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you must reach the meeting point yourself.

Can I cancel for a refund?

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