Reykjavik Beer & Booze Tour

Reykjavik’s beer story is stranger than you might expect. Beer was banned in Iceland for 74 years, and this two-hour tasting walk turns that odd fact into a lively evening of local drinks, pub-hopping, and city-center stories. Guides such as Bo, Óli, Stefán, Chris, and Matthias bring different personalities to the route.

I like the small group size, capped at 12, because you have a real chance to ask questions and chat with the guide. I also like the range: three bars, several Icelandic beers, optional snaps, and a final stop built around a beer you may not find elsewhere.

The main caution is that the experience depends heavily on your guide and group. Most feedback praises the humor and local insight, but one poor experience reported a drunk guide and empty bars, while another found the guide too quiet. At $131.87, you should expect more than drinks alone: you are paying for guidance, context, and a coordinated evening.

Key points to know before booking

• Three central bars: Visit Skúli Craft Bar, Session Craft Bar, and Ölstofа Kormáks og Skjaldar on foot.
• Several tasting pours: The plan includes Icelandic craft beers or snaps, with past visits featuring four beers at one stop and as many as nine samples overall.
• A strange drinking history: Learn about Iceland’s 74-year beer ban and how that shaped modern drinking culture.
• Small-group feel: The maximum is 12 people, and some departures are much smaller.
• Useful first-night orientation: The walk helps you find bars, restaurants, and streets in central Reykjavik.
• A 6 pm start: You finish around 8 to 8:30 pm, leaving the rest of the evening open.

The real appeal: beer, stories, and a quick Reykjavik orientation

This is not simply a flight of beer served at one counter. You move between three bars, and each stop gives the evening a different rhythm. Along the way, your guide explains Icelandic drinking customs, local nightlife, and the country’s unusual path from prohibition to craft brewing.

I like this format for a first evening in Reykjavik. You get a practical sense of the center without committing to a long walking tour, and the guide can point you toward places to eat or drink later. One solo visitor described it as a useful way to get oriented on the first day, while also meeting people who later became part of the trip.

You should also know that this is a social activity. You are walking, sharing tables, tasting drinks, and talking with people from different places. If you want a quiet, formal tasting with detailed brewing notes, this may feel loose. If you want an easy night out with some local color, the format makes sense.

The guides are a major part of the experience. Bo, also referred to as Sveinbjörn, is praised for humor and clear explanations. Óli has led groups through multiple pubs and helped guests choose from a range of beers. Stefán is known for pairing beer knowledge with stories about Icelandic restaurants and national history. Chris has been especially good at making solo visitors feel included, while Matthias brings practical advice about Reykjavik’s craft beer scene.

That range is worth noting because the tone can vary. Most accounts describe a friendly, funny guide who gives plenty of information. One complaint says the guide offered little unless asked, so I would not book this expecting a scripted lecture every time. Ask questions early. The guides appear to respond well when the group shows interest.

Meeting at Ingólfur Square at 6 pm

The tour begins at Hlöllabátar, Ingólfstorgi 1, near Ingólfur Square. You should arrive five minutes early. The meeting point is in central Reykjavik and near public transportation, so you do not need hotel pickup.

Starting at 6 pm works well for a night out. You are not giving up a full sightseeing day, and the first drink arrives before the evening gets too late. The tour lasts about two to two and a half hours, depending on walking, conversation, and the pace of the group.

The first five minutes are a meet-and-greet before you head to the first bar. That short opening matters more than it sounds. With a small group, this is when you learn who is interested in beer, who prefers snaps, and who may want recommendations for later.

Wear shoes and clothing suited to Icelandic weather. The tour operates in all weather conditions, and you will be outside between stops. Reykjavik’s center is easy to explore on foot, but wind and rain can make short walks feel longer than they look on a map.

Skúli Craft Bar and the story of Icelandic alcohol

Skúli Craft Bar is the first substantial stop, with about 45 minutes set aside for tasting and conversation. The plan calls for a selection of Icelandic craft beers, though snaps can be offered instead.

This is where the tour’s historical angle begins. The guide explains the odd story of alcohol in Iceland, including the country’s long ban on beer. That subject gives the tasting a useful frame. You are not just sampling a drink and moving on. You are learning why beer has such a recent legal history in a country with an old drinking culture.

The first stop also gives the guide room to learn your preferences. If you are not keen on beer, the supplied experiences show that guides may suggest a style that suits you better. One person who did not care much for beer ended up enjoying a recommendation from guide Arnar.

Do not expect every pour to suit you. Craft beer can be strong, unusual, sweet, bitter, or flavored in ways you may not expect. That is part of the point, but it also means you should pace yourself. You can ask how many samples are coming and choose a snap if that better fits your taste.

Session Craft Bar brings more choice and conversation

The second stop, Session Craft Bar, lasts about 50 minutes. This is the longest stop and the place where the tour becomes more interactive. The planned tasting includes four different Icelandic beers, or a couple of Icelandic snaps.

The exact number of drinks can vary. Past groups have sampled nine beers across three pubs, while another group had a choice of beers and poured its own at one location. Treat those details as possible features rather than a fixed promise. The stated plan is a selection of Icelandic drinks, not a guaranteed number for every person.

By this point, the group is usually more relaxed. The guide shares tips, jokes, and stories about Iceland’s beer and alcohol scene, and you can ask about other places to visit. This is where the tour provides its best practical value. You can ask where to eat after the tour, which bars suit a particular style, or how to spend the rest of your evening in the center.

Some guides also add small food pairings or snacks. One account describes treats chosen to bring out different beer flavors. That is a nice touch when it happens, but it is not listed as a standard inclusion, so do not book on the assumption that food is provided.

The second stop is also a good test of the group dynamic. If you prefer conversation and shared laughs, you will likely enjoy it. If you want to focus on tasting notes without much social chatter, the informal style may be less appealing.

Ölstofа Kormáks og Skjaldar finishes with a local specialty

The final stop is Ölstofа Kormáks og Skjaldar on Vegamótastígur. About 45 minutes are planned here, and the focus is a unique award-winning Icelandic beer.

This is the most distinctive finish because the guide connects the drink to the story of Iceland’s beer ban. The bar is presented as a place to try something you cannot find anywhere else, giving the final tasting a sense of purpose rather than simply adding another round.

The tour ends here, not back at the original meeting point. That is useful if you want to continue your evening in central Reykjavik, but you should remember the arrangement before you start. You finish near Vegamótastígur, and hotel drop-off is not included.

The final stop also gives you a chance to compare what you have tasted. By then, you may have sampled familiar lagers, stronger craft styles, flavored beer, or snaps. The experience is less about finding one perfect drink than about seeing how much variety fits into Iceland’s compact modern brewing scene.

What $131.87 really buys you

At $131.87 per person, this is not a cheap way to have three drinks. Iceland is expensive, but the price still needs to make sense on its own terms. The fee includes the alcoholic drinks, a professional local guide, and the walking route through three bars.

The value improves if you would otherwise spend an evening trying to choose bars on your own. You get several tastings, a host who explains what you are drinking, and recommendations you can use for the rest of your stay. You also avoid wasting time in places that do not match your taste.

The value is weaker if you mainly want a large quantity of alcohol. This is a guided tasting, not an open bar. It is also not a food tour, and hotel transportation is not part of the package.

I would compare it with the price of several individual drinks in Reykjavik, then add the time and effort required to find three suitable bars. For a first visit, the organized route and local advice can justify the cost. For an experienced Reykjavik visitor who already knows the bars, it may feel expensive.

The tour has earned a 4.9 rating from 166 reviews, with 96 percent recommending it. That is a strong record, but the small number of negative accounts is useful. Your experience can change with the guide, the group, and the energy in the bars that evening.

Who will enjoy this tour most

I would recommend it to beer fans who want more context than a standard tasting flight. It is also a strong choice for solo visitors, couples, and small groups who want a social first-night activity.

It suits you particularly well if you:

• Want to learn where Reykjavik’s bars are while walking between them
• Enjoy local stories and humor along with your drinks
• Prefer a small group to a large bus-style outing
• Want recommendations for restaurants and nightlife
• Are open to both beer and snaps
• Need an easy activity that begins after a day of sightseeing

It may not suit you if you do not drink alcohol, want a food-heavy experience, or dislike walking between venues. It may also disappoint you if you expect detailed brewing education at every stop. The guide usually adds history, jokes, and useful advice, but the depth depends on the person leading your group.

The minimum drinking age is 20. Most people can participate, but you should be comfortable walking between bars in whatever weather Reykjavik provides.

How to get the best evening from it

Arrive five minutes early at Ingólfur Square. That gives you time to find the meeting point without rushing into the first introduction.

Tell the guide what you like. Mention if you prefer light beer, unusual flavors, stronger drinks, or snaps. Several guides have been praised for matching drinks to individual tastes, and the experience is better when the guide has something useful to work with.

Ask questions instead of waiting for a lecture. Ask about the beer ban, local drinking customs, restaurants, later-night bars, and places near the end point. One negative experience came from a guide who did not volunteer much, so taking part in the conversation is a sensible safeguard.

Pace yourself. The evening may include several samples, and the purpose is to taste and learn, not to race from one drink to the next. If you are traveling with friends, agree in advance that anyone can slow down or switch to a different option.

Keep the rest of the night flexible. The tour ends around 8 or 8:30 pm, but the exact finish can shift. The final stop puts you in a useful central area for dinner or another drink.

Booking, weather, and cancellation details

The tour is offered in English and comes with a mobile ticket. It needs at least two people to operate. If that minimum is not reached, the operator can cancel and offer another date or a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Inside 24 hours, refunds are not available, and changes are not accepted. The tour runs in all weather, so bring clothing that works for wind and rain.

The maximum group size is 12, though some departures may be much smaller. That smaller format is one of the better reasons to choose this activity over a large organized night out.

FAQ

How long does the Reykjavik Beer & Booze Tour last?

The tour lasts about two to two and a half hours. It begins at 6 pm and includes three bar stops.

Where does the tour begin?

Meet at Hlöllabátar, Ingólfstorgi 1, near Ingólfur Square in central Reykjavik. You should arrive five minutes before the 6 pm start.

Where does the tour end?

The tour ends at Ölstofа Kormáks og Skjaldar on Vegamótastígur in central Reykjavik. Hotel drop-off is not included.

What drinks are included?

Alcoholic beverages are included. The tour features Icelandic craft beers, and snaps may be offered as an alternative. The exact selection can vary.

How many people can join?

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

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 made less than 24 hours before the start are not refunded.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a friendly introduction to Reykjavik’s beer culture, prefer a small group, and value stories and local advice as much as the drinks. The strongest parts are the three-bar route, the tale of Iceland’s 74-year beer ban, and guides such as Bo, Óli, Stefán, Chris, and Matthias who often add humor and useful recommendations.

Skip it if you want a quiet, technical tasting, a full meal, or the lowest possible price for drinks. The experience rests heavily on the guide, and one or two accounts show that it can fall short when the guide does not engage.

For most first-time visitors who enjoy beer and want an easy way to find their feet in central Reykjavik, I would book it early. It is often reserved about 57 days ahead, and the combination of drinks, walking, history, and conversation makes it a practical first-night choice.