Reykjavik: Beer and Booze Tour

Iceland’s beer story has a strange twist: beer was banned for 74 years, even as the country had plenty of clean freshwater. This 2.5-hour walk turns that history into a tasting route through three Reykjavik bars, with 10 craft beer samples or five schnapps and spirits.

I like the combination of local beer and city orientation: you hear about the Viking era, the ban, and today’s microbreweries while getting your bearings in the center. I also like that small groups make it easy to ask your guide for dinner or nightlife tips.

One consideration: this is a bar tour, not a meal, and the price of $112 can feel steep if you don’t drink much. The included tastings help with value, but food is not included, and you must be at least 20 to join.

Key points before you book

• Three Reykjavik bars: The route includes Skúli Craft Bar, Session Craft Bar, and Ölstofa.
• Two tasting choices: Try 10 Icelandic craft beers or five varieties of schnapps and spirits.
• Beer history with a local angle: Hear about the 74-year ban and the return of Icelandic microbreweries.
• A relaxed city walk: The tour starts at Ingólfur Square and includes a brief guided stop there.
• Small-group conversation: Guides such as Kristjan, Arnar, and Ástþór have helped make the experience lively and personal.
• For adults only: Iceland’s legal drinking age is 20, and the tour does not allow anyone younger inside the bars.

Icelandic beer, with the backstory

The appeal here goes beyond trying a row of unfamiliar drinks. Your guide connects the tasting to Iceland’s unusual drinking history, from the Viking era to a modern craft-beer scene that has grown again after the long ban. The 74-year prohibition is a memorable talking point, and a good way to understand how laws can shape everyday customs.

The tour also gives you a first look at Icelandic beer styles and local breweries. Most of the beers are only available in Iceland, and there may be a chance to taste a new brew that has not yet reached the market. That possibility is a bonus, not a promise, so book for the broader experience rather than expecting a particular rare beer.

The freshwater angle makes the story feel rooted in place. Iceland’s water is part of the explanation for why local beer matters, while the current microbrewery scene gives the guide a present-day chapter to talk about. You’ll get context with each stop, not just a list of names to remember.

From Ingólfur Square to the first tasting

Meet your guide at Ingólfur Square, beside the two stone pillars that are more than three meters high. The square is in front of Center Hotels Plaza, at Aðalstræti 6, near the start of Austurstræti. Guides usually wear a light blue jacket marked Your Friend in Reykjavik on the back.

Reykjavik’s street names can be tricky to track, so use a map and arrive at least five minutes early. The meeting point is not the statue of Ingólfur Arnarson, and it is not the statue of Jón Sigurðsson at Austurvöllur. If you are walking down Laugavegur, continue straight until you reach the square.

The group spends about 10 minutes at Ingólfur Square for a guided introduction. This brief stop helps place you in the city center before the bar visits begin. It is not a long sightseeing tour, but it gives you a little orientation and a chance to ask early questions.

Skúli Craft Bar: a full hour to taste and talk

The first bar is Skúli Craft Bar, where the group spends about an hour. The itinerary includes beer and whiskey tasting here, so this is a good place to settle into the pace and start asking your guide about local brewers, drinking customs, and what you’re sampling.

A longer first stop leaves room for conversation rather than rushing from one pour to the next. Guides have been praised for drawing people into the discussion and sharing stories about Reykjavik as well as beer. Kristjan, Arnar, and Ástþór are among the guides named by past participants, and their friendly, funny approach is part of what makes this work as a social evening.

The tour is not limited to dedicated beer fans. One guide found lighter or sweeter choices for a participant who did not usually enjoy beer. You can also choose five schnapps and spirits instead of the 10 beers, which may suit you better if beer is not your drink of choice. The exact samples can vary, so don’t count on a specific brand or style.

Session Craft Bar: a second look at local beer

The next stop is Session Craft Bar, with about 45 minutes for beer. By this point, you’ll have some reference points from the first tasting, making it easier to compare what you like and ask more focused questions.

The itinerary identifies this as a beer stop, rather than a guaranteed spirits tasting. If you want a particular kind of drink, ask your guide what is available on the night. The tour’s central promise is a range of Icelandic samples, not a fixed menu of named beers.

There is a practical advantage to staying together at each bar. You can trade impressions with the group, or simply listen as the guide explains what makes a local beer distinctive. Small groups have sometimes been especially small, even just one booking party, which can turn the outing into a more personal conversation. Group size may vary, though, so don’t assume you’ll have a private guide unless you book a private group.

Ölstofa and the final stretch

Ölstofa is listed as the third bar, with around 45 minutes for beer. It brings the route to a relaxed close, and the final stop can be a lively part of the evening. One guide-led group also tried Black Death, a local spirit, though that tasting is not guaranteed for every tour.

The published route lists Ölstofa and Bastarður Brew Pub as possible drop-off locations, while the activity details say the tour ends back at the meeting point. Since those details differ, check the exact ending arrangement when you book, especially if you have dinner plans or need to get somewhere afterward.

Don’t expect the walk to include a full tour of Reykjavik’s sights. Its value is more informal: you move between bars, pick up a few city bearings, and get a guide’s perspective on local life. If your main goal is a deep architectural or historical tour, this is not the right fit. If you want a social introduction to the center with beer as the thread, the route makes sense.

Does $112 feel like good value?

At $112 per person, the tour is a considered purchase, particularly if you are not much of a drinker. The price includes 10 craft beer samples or five schnapps and spirits samples, plus the guide and the walk between three bars. Alcohol can be costly in Iceland, so having the tastings bundled into one evening can make the price easier to justify than paying separately for drinks at each stop.

The value is strongest if you’re curious about Icelandic beer and enjoy learning as you taste. You get a chance to sample drinks that may not be available outside Iceland, and a guide can point you toward local options to try later in your trip. The city tips are useful too: you can ask where to eat after the tour or where to continue your night.

It is less compelling if you want a substantial dinner, prefer to buy just one drink, or do not enjoy alcohol. Food is not included, and the tour is built around several tastings over two and a half hours. Eat beforehand or plan a meal afterward, and remember that individual pour sizes and the exact sample selection are not specified.

Who will enjoy this walk?

I’d recommend it to adults who want an easygoing first evening in Reykjavik, especially if they like trying local drinks and talking with a guide. It can work well as a way to meet other people, but it does not rely on a large party atmosphere. Past groups have formed friendships and continued their evening together, though that depends on the people who book.

It can also suit a mixed group where one person is less keen on beer. The guide may be able to suggest lighter or sweeter beers, and the alternative tasting is five schnapps and spirits. Still, both options involve alcohol, so this is not a good choice for anyone who wants a nonalcoholic tour.

The experience is not suitable for pregnant women or anyone under 20. Iceland’s legal age to purchase alcohol is 20, and people younger than 20 cannot enter the bars on this tour. Bring a passport or ID card in case you need to confirm your age.

Practical details for a comfortable evening

The tour lasts 2.5 hours, with starting times shown when you check availability. It is conducted in English, and private groups are available. Wear layers: you’ll be walking between venues, and Iceland’s weather is a good reason not to rely on one light jacket.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You need to reach Ingólfur Square yourself, and arriving on time matters because it is difficult for the guide to find late arrivals once the group has left. The booking terms allow cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later.

Should you book the Reykjavik Beer and Booze Tour?

Book it if you want a sociable, low-pressure introduction to Icelandic beer, local bar culture, and the city center. The 74-year ban gives the tasting an unusual historical hook, while the three stops and small-group format leave room for practical questions and local recommendations.

Skip it if you want a full meal, dislike alcohol, or would rather spend the evening visiting landmarks. At $112, the best value comes from enjoying the samples and the guide’s stories together. If that sounds like your kind of first night in Reykjavik, this is a useful way to start.

FAQ

Where does the tour meet?

Meet at Ingólfur Square in central Reykjavik, beside the two stone pillars in front of Center Hotels Plaza. The guide usually wears a light blue jacket with Your Friend in Reykjavik on the back.

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts 2.5 hours. Check availability for the starting times.

What drinks are included?

You can choose 10 craft beer samples or five samples of schnapps and spirits. All drinks included in the tour price.

How old do I need to be?

You must be at least 20 to join. The tour does not allow anyone under 20 inside the bars.

Is food included?

No. Food is not included, so plan to eat before or after the tour.

What should I bring?

Bring a passport or ID card, and wear layers for the walk between bars.