Reykjavik: Beer and Booze Tour

Reykjavik’s Beer and Booze Tour is interesting because it turns a cold city stroll into a guided night out, with stops at real craft bars and plenty of Iceland-only pours. I especially like the focus on Icelandic craft beer you can’t easily find elsewhere, and the way the tour gives you context for what you’re drinking.

I also like that you get a real walk through the center of Reykjavik, not a sit-and-wait tasting, plus time to chat with a guide who can steer you around town. One possible drawback: this is a drinking tour with bar time built in and no food included, so you’ll want to eat beforehand and dress for the weather.

Key highlights you’ll actually feel on the walk

• 10 craft beer samples (or 5 schnaps and spirits options) with drinks included in the price
• A guided orientation at Ingólfur Square, with two 3-meter stone pillars as your landmark
• Long tasting stops at Skúli Craft bar, Session Craft Bar, and Ölstofa
• A strong chance you’ll try a standout beer like Black Death at the last bar
• Small groups that make it easier to ask your guide for more than beer
• Finish near Ölstofa or with drop-offs also listed at Bastarður Brew Pub

A Reykjavik beer walk built for tasting, not rushing

This isn’t the usual bar-hopping stunt. You’re out for about 2.5 hours, walking through central Reykjavik and sitting down in three well-known spots to sample different styles. The value hits fast because the cost includes your tastings, and in Iceland, that matters. Drinks at bars are not cheap, so having 10 samples handled for you is a big reason this tour feels like a smart move for your first night.

What makes the experience click is the pairing of beer and storytelling. You’re not just drinking, you’re learning how Icelandic beer culture formed, including how Iceland once banned beer for 74 years. That kind of context makes the tasting more fun, because you start noticing flavors and brewing choices with better instincts.

Who this is for

If you want to meet Reykjavik at a local pace, this tour fits. It’s also a great choice if you’re the kind of person who likes to ask questions, because the tour is set up for conversation, not silence.

You’ll likely enjoy it if you:

• Want to learn about Icelandic beer history, from older traditions to today’s microbrew scene
• Like variety, since you can taste beer, and there are also schnaps and spirit options
• Appreciate a small-group vibe so you can actually talk with the guide

It’s not a fit if you’re under the legal age requirement (more on that below) or if you’re looking for a food-focused experience.

Finding your start at Ingólfur Square without stress

You’ll start at Ingólfur Square, right by the two stone pillars (they’re listed at over 3 meters high). It’s in central Reykjavik, in front of Center Hotels Plaza at Aðalstræti 6, near the start of Austurstræti.

Here’s the practical part that saves time: the guide is expected to be easy to spot, usually wearing a light blue jacket with Your Friend in Reykjavik on the back. Still, Iceland street names can trip people up, so use Google Maps and aim for Ingólfur Square, not a random statue.

Also, arrive early. The tour is hard to run when people are late, so plan to be there at least 5 minutes before the start time.

Stop 2 at Ingólfur Square, the orientation you’ll use all night

Before you even get into the bar tastings, you get a short guided moment at the square, about 10 minutes. This is where you get your mental map of central Reykjavik and where the walk makes sense.

Why I like this part: when you’re drinking and walking in a new city, confusion is what ruins the mood. A quick orientation means you’re less likely to feel lost later when you decide where to grab a post-tour bite or where the nightlife is heading.

You’ll also learn the basic “how this all connects” story line, which makes the next stops more than just random beer samples.

Skúli Craft bar: the longest tasting block and the whiskey angle

Your first major bar stop is Skúli Craft bar. This is your about 1-hour tasting phase, and it’s described as an iconic craft bar. You’ll sample beer, plus whiskey tasting here.

This stop tends to be the one that sets expectations. If you’re new to Icelandic craft beer, you’re getting a foundation. If you’ve been to a few beer bars already, this is where you can sharpen your palate because Icelandic brewing leans on local ingredients and styles shaped by the island’s conditions.

A useful note for mixed drinking groups: some guides are good at steering people who don’t love heavy beer flavors toward options that feel lighter or sweeter. Even if you’re not a beer person, you’re more likely to leave this tour feeling included.

What to watch for

Because this is a shared tasting and you’re on a clock, you might feel a little pressure to keep up. If you’re slow sipping, that’s not a problem, but do pace yourself, because you still have two more tasting stops after this one.

Session Craft Bar: building variety over time (45 minutes)

Next you head to Session Craft Bar for about 45 minutes, focused on beer. This is where the tour starts to feel like a flight, but with breaks that keep you moving.

I like the pacing here because it prevents the classic problem of tastings turning into one long blur. Sampling at separate bars means each place can show you something different, and you get time to ask questions while the flavors are still fresh.

Also, by the time you reach this bar, you’re usually more comfortable with the idea that Icelandic beer culture has its own voice. That’s when the storytelling starts to click with what you’re actually tasting.

Ölstofa: another 45 minutes, often where the vibe lands

Your next stop is Ölstofa for about 45 minutes, also centered on beer. This is a second strong tasting block, and it’s mentioned as one of the end-point areas too.

One of the biggest themes from the experience is that the final bar stop often becomes the favorite. Some groups find that the last location has the most energy or best atmosphere, while earlier stops can be good but less memorable. That’s normal on any bar tour. The timing is set so the day finishes with a solid payoff.

This bar also connects to the listed drop-off options. Depending on where you are in the group and how the tour wraps up, you may find the end of the experience tied to Ölstofa, with another nearby option listed at Bastarður Brew Pub.

A beer name you might hear, Black Death

One beer mentioned as part of the last-stop tasting is Black Death. The tour doesn’t guarantee specific beers by name, but if you’re the kind of person who likes spooky beer labels and strong character, keep an ear out when the final samples get poured.

The walking part: how the city orientation makes the tasting better

You’re not trudging across Reykjavik. You’re doing a guided walk that helps you connect the dots between spots in the center. Even if the night outside is windy, the walk keeps the experience lively.

This matters because beer tours can go two ways: either you sit in one place and feel like you’re stuck, or you’re hustled too hard and can’t taste. Here, the walk is part of the rhythm. It helps you get oriented fast, and it makes the bar stops feel like chapters, not a single long queue.

What the drinking culture story adds to your night

The tour mixes tastings with cultural context. You’ll learn about how Icelandic people have a proud, short-but-stubborn relationship with beer making, and how they’ve used their freshwater resources. You’ll also get the longer arc, starting with the older Viking era stories and continuing through a modern resurgence of microbreweries.

One detail that stands out because it sounds almost impossible is the beer ban that lasted 74 years. When you hear that, you understand why today’s craft beer scene feels like more than a trend. It’s a comeback story, told through ingredients, brewing choices, and a drinking culture that’s practical and proud at the same time.

This kind of context is also why the guide matters. Guides like Kristjan and Arnar have been highlighted for being friendly and funny while also making sure everyone is involved. Astor and Ástþór are also noted for keeping things entertaining and interactive, which is a big deal on a tour where you’ll be sampling multiple drinks.

Price and value: is $112 a good deal for 2.5 hours?

At $112 per person, you’re paying for a timed bar experience that includes drinks. You’re also paying for the guide, the small-group setup, and the structure that gets you into the right places.

In Iceland, where bar prices are typically high, drink-included tours can feel like the difference between spending your evening on one pricey beer versus getting multiple samples and stories across several bars. Since this tour includes 10 craft beer samples (or 5 schnaps and spirits samples), you’re not left doing mental math during the tasting. You know the structure upfront.

Is it cheaper than buying on your own? It might be, and it might not. But this tour is more like buying access to an organized tasting night, where you get:

• multiple tastings
• city orientation
• a guide who can help you decide what to do next

That combination is what makes it feel like value.

Practical tips so the tour feels fun, not annoying

This is Iceland, so plan like the weather will try to win.

Wear layers. You’ll be inside and outside. If you dress like you’re in a warm shopping mall, you’ll end up uncomfortable fast.

Bring a passport or ID card. The tour is for people 20 and older, because that’s the legal age to purchase alcohol in Iceland. The tour also notes that it’s illegal to have someone younger than 20 inside the bars, so there are no infants or children on this tour.

Also plan for no food. Food is not included, so eat before you go. A few beers can sneak up on you, and snack food makes the whole night smoother, especially when you’re tasting multiple styles.

Finally, think about your drinking preferences. If you’re not a big beer drinker, you still have options. The format includes the ability to taste different varieties, and guides are described as good at finding lighter or sweeter selections.

Should you book this Reykjavik Beer and Booze Tour?

Book it if you want an easy, guided way to sample Icelandic craft beer in central Reykjavik, while getting a quick orientation and cultural context you can use the rest of your trip. It’s especially good for first-timers who don’t want to guess which bars are worth your time.

Skip it if:

• you’re under 20
• you’re looking for a food-centered experience
• you’re traveling with someone who needs pregnancy-appropriate considerations, since it’s listed as not suitable for pregnant women
• you prefer to explore bars independently without a set structure

If your goal is to have a fun night with local flavors, a small-group vibe, and enough drinks to feel like you really experienced Reykjavik, this tour earns a strong yes.

FAQ

How long is the Reykjavik Beer and Booze Tour?

It lasts about 2.5 hours.

Where do I meet the guide?

Meet at Ingólfur Square, by the two stone pillars in the center of Reykjavik.

What do I get to sample?

You’ll sample 10 craft beers, or you can opt for 5 different schnaps and spirits varieties.

Is food included?

No, food is not included.

What is the minimum age to join?

The tour only allows participants who are 20 or older.

What is the cancellation policy?

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