Reykjavik: Beer and Booze Tour

Beer and city history share the same sidewalk.

This 2.5-hour beer walk takes you through three well-chosen Reykjavik bars, where you’ll taste 10 Icelandic craft beers (or 5 schnaps/spirits) and learn how the country’s drinking culture got to where it is today. I especially like that it’s not just drinking, it’s also getting your bearings in the center of town, with entertaining guidance from locals like Kristjan and Arnar.

One heads-up: this is a bar-focused tasting, so it’s only for ages 20+ (and not suitable for pregnant women). If you’re traveling with someone younger—or you’d rather avoid indoor drinking settings—this won’t fit.

Key points before you go

• 10 craft beer samples (or 5 schnaps/spirits) are included, so you can skip guessing at what a tasting night will cost
• Small-group feel means you’re more likely to chat with the guide and ask about lighter, sweeter options if you don’t drink hoppy beers
• Three bar stops keeps the pace fun without turning into a long, exhausting crawl
• Iceland-specific stories include the Viking-to-microbrewery thread, plus how alcohol rules shaped the scene
• Central Reykjavik orientation starts right at Ingólfur Square, so you finish with a better sense of where to go next

How the Reykjavik beer and booze walk plays out in real time

This tour is designed for your first night (or your first stopover night) in Reykjavik. You start with a quick introduction to the central area, then spend the bulk of the time in three bars sampling Icelandic drinks. The walk between stops is part of the point: you get to talk with your guide, learn the basic “map” of town, and keep the energy up without sprinting across the city.

You’ll be tasting along the way, so plan to show up ready for a guided evening. The tour runs about 2.5 hours, and it’s meant to be easy to follow—especially if you’re using Google Maps or another app, since Icelandic street names can be tricky.

A big reason this works is that it’s not only about beer. The guide ties tastings to the bigger story of Iceland’s brewing and drinking culture—so every sip has context, not just flavor.

Meeting at Ingólfur Square (and how not to lose your guide)

Your guide meets you at Ingólfur Square, in the center of Reykjavik, by the two large stone pillars (more than 3 meters high). The square is in front of Center Hotels Plaza on Aðalstræti 6, near the start of Austurstræti.

If you’re walking down Laugavegur (the main shopping street), keep going until you reach the square. Don’t aim for the statues at Austurvöllur—specifically avoid the statue of Ingólfur Arnarsson and the statue of Jón Sigurdsson as your reference point. Those are close by, but not the correct meetup spot.

Practical tip: arrive at least 5 minutes early. Reykjavik tours work best when everyone is in place before the guide has to start herding a group through city streets.

Ingólfur Square: your quick primer on center-city Reykjavik

Before the bar hopping really begins, you get a short guided moment at Ingólfur Square. This is where you learn the basics of how the center of town is laid out and why this area matters historically. It’s also the moment where your guide sets the tone: fun, conversational, and Iceland-focused.

This brief orientation matters more than it sounds. After a few stops, you’ll be better able to answer questions like: Where are the main pedestrian streets? Which blocks feel lively after the tour? And where should you head if you want another drink, a sit-down meal, or just a walk back through the city center.

Skúli Craft Bar: beer and whiskey tasting in the first big pour

Your first major tasting stop is Skúli Craft bar. Plan on about one hour here, and expect the vibe to be the kind of craft-bar atmosphere where people actually pay attention to what they’re pouring.

At this stop, the tasting includes beer, with whiskey tasting also on the menu. That mix is a smart way to start. It keeps the night interesting if you’re curious about more than beer, and it gives your palate a chance to reset between styles.

This is also a place where you may hear the guide connecting flavors to the broader Iceland story—how freshwater and local conditions shaped brewing, and why Iceland’s beer scene has changed over time. You’re not just sampling; you’re learning what to look for later when you’re ordering on your own.

One small note to keep expectations realistic: not every bar will have the exact same energy. Some stops land as “great,” others as “good.” What makes this tour worth it is that you’re tasting your way through a set of distinct venues rather than doing one long, repetitive experience.

Session Craft Bar: the mid-tour stop that keeps momentum up

Next up is Session Craft Bar, where you’ll spend about 45 minutes tasting more beer. This mid-tour timing is ideal. By the time you arrive here, you’ve already warmed up your taste buds, but you’re not so far into the evening that everything becomes a blur.

This stop is mostly about keeping things moving while still giving you real flavor variety. If you’re someone who doesn’t drink much beer, this is where you can lean on your guide. One review experience highlighted that the guide helped steer a non-beer-drinker toward lighter or sweeter options—so you won’t be forced into a single style.

If you’re the type who likes to compare beers, you’ll enjoy the way the tour changes the tasting flow bar by bar. You can start noticing patterns, like which styles feel smoother, which taste stronger, and which ones pair best with the bar’s overall mood.

Ölstofa: a longer tasting with a real sense of place

Your next bar stop is Ölstofa, also about 45 minutes. This is one of the places that can feel like the heart of the evening because you’re far enough in to relax, but not so late that you’re rushing to catch your next plan.

At this stage, the guides often bring in extra story and you can hear the Iceland angle get more personal—how local culture shaped drinking habits, how regulation changed what people could do, and how the microbrewery resurgence ended up taking off.

In one highlight from the experiences I read, the final bar was described as the most memorable, with a strong atmosphere. That tracks with how this tour is structured: you have multiple decent stops, then a final venue that can feel like it has the most energy.

You might also find yourself trying something specific tied to the bar’s identity. One account mentioned a beer called Black Death as part of the tasting. Even if you don’t get that exact one, this is the part of the night where you’ll likely taste something that feels unmistakably Iceland.

What you actually taste: Icelandic craft beer + the schnaps option

The tour includes 10 craft beer samples or 5 schnaps and spirits, depending on how the tasting is organized on your specific tour. Either way, the point is variety: you’re sampling drinks that you’ll have a hard time replicating at home.

Even more important, you learn what’s behind the flavors. Iceland’s beer story is shaped by local conditions and by laws that once limited how drinking could work. Your guide ties those dots together, from the Viking-era drinking culture references through to modern microbreweries.

There’s also a chance you’ll get something very current. One description notes that you might sample a brand-new craft beer that isn’t widely available yet. That’s the kind of detail that turns a regular tasting into something that feels like you’re catching the scene while it’s moving.

If you’re a beer fan, I think you’ll like the “flights” style sampling approach—especially early on—because it helps you compare without committing to one drink you don’t end up loving. And if you’re less of a beer person, ask your guide what’s lighter or sweeter.

The value question: is $112 actually fair?

At $112 per person for about 2.5 hours, the big value lever is simple: drinks are included. That changes the whole math in Iceland, where buying alcohol on your own can quickly add up.

You’re not just paying for access to bars. You’re paying for:

• guided selection (you try things you may not pick yourself)
• the structure of multiple tastings
• and the storytelling that helps you understand what you’re drinking

Also, because it’s not an all-day event, you’re not turning it into an expensive “lost time” situation. It’s a focused evening plan you can still pair with dinner afterward.

One practical point: the tour does not include food. If you know you’ll get hungry, consider eating beforehand or plan a snack during the gaps. A couple of experiences noted small snack touches during the tour, but don’t rely on full meals being included. Your safest move is to eat something solid before you start.

Group size, guide style, and why it feels friendly

This tour is built for conversation. It’s described as small-group, which matters in a Reykjavik context: the streets are compact, and walking in a group is part of how you get the guide’s attention.

From the experiences tied to specific guides like Kristjan, Arnar, Ástþór, and Astor, the consistent thread is engagement. Guides are described as funny and interactive, not lecturing from behind the tasting menu. They also involve the group, so you’re not stuck listening the whole time.

One nice bonus for planning: if your date runs quieter (for example, a Monday night), you might end up with a more intimate feeling. That can mean more questions about Icelandic culture and better tailoring if you want options outside stronger spirits or heavier beer styles.

Practical tips that make your night smoother

Reykjavik in the evening can be windy and cold, so you’ll want layers. You’ll be walking between bars, and even short outdoor stretches can feel longer when it’s chilly.

Bring a passport or ID card. Iceland’s legal drinking age is 20, and the tour only allows people who are 20 or older. There’s also a clear restriction: no under-20 participants, and it’s illegal to have someone under that age inside the bars.

If you’re pregnant, this one isn’t suitable. If anyone in your group doesn’t meet the age requirement, you’ll want to plan a different activity so you’re not stuck with a last-minute problem.

Finally, keep your expectations flexible about pacing. If you show up on time and communicate with your guide, you’ll get a fun walk, three bar tastings, and solid orientation before you choose your next stop.

Should you book the Reykjavik Beer and Booze Tour?

Book it if you want an evening that does three things at once: tasting Icelandic drinks you can’t easily replace elsewhere, learning how the culture got shaped by local history and rules, and getting a quick center-city orientation you can use later.

Skip it if you’re under 20, traveling with someone who is, or you’d rather not spend your time inside bars. Also skip if you’re expecting food-focused sightseeing—this is a drinking tour with no food included.

If you’re in Reykjavik for a short time and you want a guided plan that feels local instead of generic, this is a smart choice.

FAQ

How long is the Reykjavik Beer and Booze Tour?

The tour lasts about 2.5 hours.

Where do I meet the guide?

Meet at Ingólfur Square in the center of Reykjavik by the two stone pillars. The square is in front of Center Hotels Plaza on Aðalstræti 6, near the beginning of Austurstræti.

What drinks are included?

You’ll get 10 craft beer samples, or 5 schnaps and spirits samples (based on the tour tasting format).

Is food included?

No. Food is not included.

What age is required to join?

The tour only allows people who are 20 or older, since the legal age to purchase alcohol in Iceland is 20.

What should I bring?

Bring a passport or ID card.

Is the tour suitable for pregnant women?

No. It is not suitable for pregnant women.

Can I get a refund if my plans change?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.