Reykjavik: Beer and Booze Tour

Beer tells a surprising Icelandic story. This 150-minute Reykjavik tour combines 10 Icelandic craft beers with a guided walk through the city center, then settles into three very different bars. I like the way it mixes useful orientation with local drinking culture, and I especially like the small groups, which make it easy to ask about food, nightlife, and daily life in Iceland.

The main drawback is the price: $128 per person is a serious sum, even with Iceland’s high alcohol prices. Food is not included, and the evening suits drinkers more than anyone seeking a broad sightseeing tour. Still, the guides have made a strong impression, with names such as Chris, Kristjan, Arnar, Asthor, and Ástþór praised for humor, warmth, and local insight.

Key Points Before You Book

• Beer was banned for 74 years: You learn how Iceland moved from Viking brewing traditions to a modern craft beer scene.
• Three bars, three different moods: Skúli Craft Bar, Lemmy, and Ölstofa each add something different to the evening.
• Ten drinks are included: You can choose 10 Icelandic craft beers, or 5 schnaps and spirits instead.
• The group stays small: That gives you real time with the guide instead of a lecture from across a crowded room.
• It begins at a useful city-center spot: The meeting point outside Hlöllabátar faces Ingólfstorg and is easy to recognize.
• It is strictly 20-plus: Iceland’s legal drinking age applies, and children cannot enter the bars.

Why This Tour Works as a First Night in Reykjavik

I like a food or drink tour early in a city visit because it gives you practical bearings without turning the evening into a formal sightseeing march. Here, you start outside Hlöllabátar, a sandwich shop facing Ingólfstorg Square. The two tall stone pillars help identify the spot, and CenterHotel Plaza is to your right.

That location puts you near the center of Reykjavik, so you are already in a useful area for restaurants, bars, and later evening plans. Your guide usually wears a light blue jacket marked Your Friend in Reykjavik on the back. Arrive with enough time to find the meeting point, especially since one person reported a mix-up before joining the group.

The walking section at Ingólfstorg lasts about 10 minutes. It is not a major sightseeing stop, and that is fine. Think of it as a short introduction to the city and a chance to hear how beer fits into Icelandic life before the glasses appear.

The guide explains Iceland’s drinking culture, including the odd fact that beer was banned for 74 years. Beer finally became legal again in 1989, and that relatively recent change helps explain why Iceland’s modern beer culture feels young but energetic. You also hear about older brewing traditions connected with the Vikings and the country’s supply of clean freshwater.

Skúli Craft Bar: The Main Tasting Stop

The first substantial stop is Skúli Craft Bar, where you spend about an hour. This is the tour’s main tasting session and likely the best place to compare different styles side by side.

The advertised beer option includes 10 craft beers from Iceland. In practice, the exact lineup can vary. One evening included at least 9 to 12 beers, while another group worked through flights at the first two bars. You should expect a broad sampling rather than ten full pints. That matters, because ten full servings would be far too much for most people over one evening.

Skúli also includes whiskey tasting in the scheduled plan. If beer is not your preferred drink, you can select five schnaps and spirits instead. This makes the tour more flexible than its title suggests. A friend who does not usually enjoy beer was offered lighter or sweeter choices and ended up having a good time.

I would tell your guide early if you prefer pale, light, sweet, smoky, or stronger drinks. The guides appear willing to adjust the selection when possible, and that small bit of communication can make the tasting much better.

You may also get a sample from a new Icelandic microbrewery that is not yet available on the market. That possibility gives the tasting a local edge. It is not guaranteed, so treat it as a pleasant bonus rather than a promised feature.

Lemmy: A More Relaxed Beer Stop

The second bar is Lemmy, with about 45 minutes set aside for beer. The tour does not describe this as a formal tasting room, which is useful to know. The pace shifts from structured sampling toward sitting, chatting, and trying more local drinks.

That change keeps the evening from feeling like a checklist. You have already learned the basics at Skúli, so Lemmy gives you time to talk with the guide and the rest of the group. The small-group format matters here. With only a few people, conversation can move naturally from beer to Icelandic customs, Reykjavik neighborhoods, and practical nightlife advice.

The setting can also vary depending on the night. One person found two of the bars only average, while the final stop had the best atmosphere. I would not choose this tour expecting every venue to be a favorite. The value comes from the comparison: you see different sides of Reykjavik’s bar culture instead of spending the entire evening in one polished craft beer room.

Ölstofa: The Final Pour

The final scheduled stop is Ölstofa, with another 45 minutes for beer. This is where you can finish the evening at your own pace, ask for one last recommendation, and decide if you want to continue the night elsewhere.

Some groups have tried Icelandic spirits here, including Black Death, the nickname for Brennivín. Others have finished with more beer. The exact drinks depend on the chosen option and what is being served, so do not assume every group receives the same lineup.

The tour can finish with drop-off at either Bastarður Brew Pub or Ölstofa. Since this is central Reykjavik, you are well placed to continue on foot, find dinner, or return to your hotel. The guide can also suggest where to eat next or where to go if you want a livelier night.

One useful point: food is not included. Some groups have received sweet snacks or Icelandic treats along with the drinks, but I would not count on those as dinner. Eat beforehand or plan a meal afterward. Alcohol on an empty stomach is a poor strategy anywhere, and Icelandic prices make an emergency meal especially unappealing.

What You Learn About Icelandic Beer

The strongest part of this tour is not simply the number of samples. It is the context around them.

Iceland has a short modern history of legal beer drinking compared with many European countries. The 74-year ban is unusual enough to make the subject memorable, and the guide connects that story to current drinking habits and alcohol laws.

You also learn how Icelandic brewers use local conditions and freshwater as part of their brewing identity. The tour does not present beer as an imported European habit copied without change. Instead, it shows how a newer microbrewery scene has grown around local pride, experimentation, and a national interest in making good use of Iceland’s natural resources.

The guide’s personality is central to this part. Chris was praised for drawing an entire group into conversation. Arnar was described as friendly, funny, and good at sharing Reykjavik history. Asthor and Ástþór received similar praise for their beer knowledge and entertaining style. Guides can change, of course, but the pattern is clear: this tour depends heavily on a personable host.

That is not a flaw. A small-group drinking tour should feel social. If your guide is willing to answer questions, the evening becomes a useful introduction to Iceland beyond the usual visitor stops.

How Much Value Do You Get for $128?

At $128, this is not a cheap bar crawl. It is also not a normal night out, because the price includes 10 craft beer samples or five schnaps and spirits samples, a guide, the city walk, and the local stories that connect the stops.

Alcohol is expensive in Iceland, so buying a similar number of drinks independently could add up quickly. The tour also saves you the trouble of figuring out which bars serve Icelandic craft beer and which drinks are worth ordering. For someone curious about local beer, the included tastings can make the price reasonable.

The value is weaker if you are not interested in alcohol, dislike group conversation, or plan to drink only one beer. The tour is built around repeated tastings, not one drink with a view. You also pay for the guide’s time and access to a selection you might not find easily on your own.

I see it as a good-value splurge for a beer fan who wants a social evening. I would not recommend it as a budget activity or as a replacement for a full Reykjavik sightseeing tour.

Group Size, Timing, and the Drinking Pace

The tour lasts 150 minutes, though the listed stop times add up to slightly more than that before allowing for walking. In real life, bar service and conversation can alter the pace. Plan for roughly two and a half hours, and avoid scheduling another fixed activity immediately afterward.

The tour is offered in English. Private groups are available, which may appeal to friends, families of adults, or colleagues who want a more personal evening. The standard experience is designed for conversation, so you should expect to sit with other people unless you arrange a private group.

A Monday can be a quieter night, as one pair discovered when they had the guide almost to themselves. That may be a plus if you want more individual attention. A busier departure should feel more social, but the atmosphere may depend on the group mix.

Wear layers. Reykjavik weather can change quickly, and you walk between venues. Bring a passport or ID card, since the tour is limited to people aged 20 or older. The age rule is not a suggestion: Iceland’s legal drinking age is 20, and children cannot enter the bars.

Who Will Enjoy It Most

I would recommend this tour to:

• Craft beer drinkers who want Icelandic selections rather than familiar international brands.
• First-time visitors who want a relaxed introduction to central Reykjavik.
• Solo visitors who like meeting people in a small group.
• Couples looking for an easy first-night activity.
• People who enjoy local history when it comes with a drink in hand.
• Non-beer drinkers who would prefer five schnaps and spirits samples.

It is less suitable for pregnant people, anyone under 20, and anyone avoiding alcohol. It may also disappoint you if you want a serious walking tour with many monuments and museum interiors. The city orientation is useful, but it is a short part of the evening.

You should also think about your drinking comfort. Ten samples can be a lot, even when each pour is modest. Take your time, eat beforehand, and tell the guide if you want lighter choices.

Small Details That Improve the Evening

Meet outside Hlöllabátar, facing Ingólfstorg and the stone pillars. The covered ceiling, benches, and tables make waiting comfortable, but the central location can still be confusing if you rush.

Look for the light blue jacket with Your Friend in Reykjavik printed on the back. If you cannot find the guide, use the supplied meeting-point map rather than wandering around the square.

Keep your expectations flexible about the bars. Skúli is the main craft beer stop, Lemmy adds another beer setting, and Ölstofa closes the route with a different feel. You may love one more than the others. That variety is part of the point.

Do not skip the guide’s food advice. Since no meal is included, ask where to eat after the tour. This can be especially helpful if you want to try Icelandic food without paying for a random restaurant near the center.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the tour, and you can reserve now and pay later. That is useful if your Iceland plans depend on weather or changing stopover schedules.

Should You Book the Reykjavik Beer and Booze Tour?

Book it if you want a social introduction to Reykjavik built around local drinks, especially if Icelandic craft beer is high on your list. The small groups, entertaining guides, three contrasting bars, and included tastings give the evening real substance.

I would choose it for the second night of a short Reykjavik stay, or for the first night if you want help finding good places to eat and drink afterward. I would skip it if you are not comfortable with several alcoholic samples, need a full dinner included, or prefer museums and landmarks to bar conversation.

For beer fans, the price can be justified by Iceland’s high drink prices and the chance to try selections you might not find alone. For everyone else, it is an expensive way to spend two and a half hours. Know what you are buying: not just beer, but a guided introduction to Iceland’s unusual drinking story and present-day bar culture.

FAQ

How long does the Reykjavik Beer and Booze Tour last?

The stated duration is 150 minutes, or two and a half hours. The evening includes a short guided walk and visits to three bars.

How many drinks are included?

The beer option includes 10 Icelandic craft beer samples. You can instead choose five different schnaps and spirits samples.

Is food included?

No. Food is not included in the tour price. Some groups have received sweet snacks or Icelandic treats, but you should plan a meal separately.

Where does the tour meet?

Meet outside Hlöllabátar sandwich shop, facing Ingólfstorg Square and the two tall stone pillars. CenterHotel Plaza is to your right.

How will I recognize the guide?

The local guide usually wears a light blue jacket with Your Friend in Reykjavik printed on the back.

What bars does the tour visit?

The scheduled route includes Skúli Craft Bar, Lemmy, and Ölstofa. The tour may finish at Bastarður Brew Pub or Ölstofa.

What is the minimum age?

You must be at least 20 years old. This is Iceland’s legal age to purchase alcohol, and children cannot enter the bars.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The live tour guide speaks English.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.