Reykjavik: Magic Ice Bar Entrance and Welcome Drink

Reykjavik’s Magic Ice Bar is more than a place to grab a drink. It is a walk-through gallery where Viking stories are carved into ice, with frozen seats, decorations, and drinking glasses completing the theme. You get one signature drink, a poncho, and gloves with your admission.

I like the sharp contrast between Iceland’s usual fire-and-volcanic imagery and this carefully built frozen room. I also like the friendly, hands-on service, especially when staff members such as Roman, Roma, and Asteris help take creative photos. The main drawback is size: the bar is smaller than many people expect, so the $34 price can feel high if you are looking for a long evening out.

Key points to know before you go

• More than 60 tons of ice: International ice artists create the sculptures, wall carvings, seating, and bar features.
• A Viking theme: The artwork tells stories of Norwegian sailors crossing the Atlantic to begin new lives in Iceland.
• One drink is included: Your signature drink comes in a real glass made of ice.
• Poncho and gloves provided: You still need warm clothing, since the room is genuinely cold.
• Photo-friendly staff: Bartenders and hosts often help with phone photos, making this a good stop for couples, families, and solo visitors.
• Easy central visit: Find the Álafoss store and go downstairs through it to reach the bar.

A frozen gallery beneath the Álafoss store

The first practical detail is also the one most likely to cause confusion. Magic Ice Bar is located below the Álafoss store, so you enter the store and head downstairs. It is not a separate street-level venue with an obvious outdoor entrance.

Once inside, staff greet you and provide a poncho and gloves. The poncho helps block the cold, while the gloves are useful when you touch or hold anything in the room. You should still arrive in warm clothing, with layers that you can keep on under the supplied gear.

This is a compact attraction rather than a large museum or full-night bar. That works in its favor when you want a short, unusual stop between city sightseeing and dinner. It can feel less satisfying if you expect several rooms, a large dance floor, or enough space to spend hours drinking.

The setting is carefully designed around ice. Walls are covered with carvings, sculptures occupy the gallery, and the bar itself follows the same frozen theme. The point is not simply to drink in a cold room. The point is to walk through a small art installation that happens to serve a drink.

Viking stories carved into the walls

The strongest artistic idea here is the link between the ice and Iceland’s early Norse story. The carvings show Viking sailors and scenes connected with the Norwegian seafaring tradition. These sailors crossed rough Atlantic waters and eventually began new lives in Iceland, a fitting subject for a venue built in the country’s capital.

You do not need a detailed knowledge of Icelandic history to enjoy the carvings. The artwork gives you something to look at as you move around the room, and the Viking subject gives the gallery more purpose than a collection of unrelated ice shapes.

The carvings are made by international ice artists, and the work varies from broad wall scenes to smaller sculptural details. Look closely before settling in with your drink. The blue-white surfaces, cut lines, and changing shapes are more interesting up close than in a quick photograph from the doorway.

The claim of more than 60 tons of ice gives you a sense of the scale of the material used, but do not mistake that number for a huge interior. A large amount of ice can form a surprisingly small room once it becomes walls, furniture, sculpture, and decoration. This is the key expectation to manage.

One drink in a glass made of ice

Your admission includes one Magic Ice Bar signature drink. It is served in an actual ice glass, which is the detail that makes the welcome drink feel connected to the room rather than like a standard bar receipt.

Hold the glass carefully and take your photo early. The drink is part of the presentation, and the frozen cup is likely to be one of your clearest reminders of the visit later. The supplied information describes the drink as locally sourced, while individual drinks can vary in style. Some visitors especially enjoyed the cocktails and found them well made.

Additional drinks cost extra. That matters because the $34 admission already places this among the pricier short activities in Reykjavik. If you only want a taste of the concept, stick with the included drink. If you are keen to stay longer and try another, check the extra cost at the bar before ordering.

The drink is not the only reason to book, and I would not judge the experience as a bar night alone. You are paying for the room, the sculptures, the clothing loan, the themed service, and the drink together. The value is strongest for someone who wants an unusual photo stop and a bit of art, not simply the cheapest beverage in town.

The cold is part of the point

Magic Ice Bar is meant to be cold. One visitor described the room as freezing but found the jacket-style protection and gloves helpful. Another found it warmer inside than expected during winter, which says more about Icelandic outdoor conditions than about the bar’s temperature.

Wear warm clothing even though a poncho and gloves are supplied. The official advice also recommends bringing a camera, and that is sensible. You will want free hands for photos, but you will also want enough insulation to enjoy looking at the artwork rather than rushing through it.

The supplied clothing is returned when you leave. Think of it as a short-term layer for the room, not a replacement for your coat, hat, or other winter gear. If you visit in summer, do not assume you can dress lightly just because the weather outside is milder.

The cold creates a useful limit. You are encouraged to look carefully, take photos, enjoy the drink, and move on before the novelty wears off. For many people, that makes this a good addition to a day in Reykjavik rather than a major half-day activity.

Staff make the small room work

Service is one of the most important parts of the experience. Friendly staff greet you, prepare the drink, explain the setting, and often take photos with your phone. Several staff members are singled out in the supplied comments, including Roman, Kris, Juliana, Roma, and Asteris.

Roman is repeatedly praised for helping with photo opportunities and making the visit fun. Asteris is remembered as a warm host and bartender who helped create good photo moments. Roma is also praised for service and picture-taking. Staff can change from day to day, so you should not book expecting a particular person, but the photo help is a real part of what makes the visit feel personal.

This matters because ice sculptures are difficult to photograph alone. You may be wearing gloves, holding an ice glass, and trying to fit yourself into a tight frame. A willing staff member can take the picture, suggest a pose, or help you use the artwork as a backdrop.

The service is not guaranteed to be perfect at every visit. One person found the bartender less welcoming and felt treated like a tourist at a commercial attraction. That is worth noting. Most of the praise centers on cheerful, attentive staff, but any short attraction can feel less special when the person behind the bar is having an off moment.

An easy stop for photos and a little fun

The ice throne, sculptures, frozen seating, and bar details give you plenty of simple photo ideas. You can pose with the Viking carvings, hold the drink in its ice glass, or sit on one of the icy features. Staff may help turn a quick snapshot into a more playful picture.

This is a good choice for couples because the room creates an immediate shared activity. It also works for families and solo visitors. A solo visitor can ask the bartender to take photos, and families can use the setting for pictures that look quite different from the usual Reykjavik street scenes.

There is also more than sculpture to look at. One account mentions an ice hockey table, adding a small playful feature to the gallery. Details like this help break up the viewing and keep the attraction from feeling like a silent display room.

The music and general bar mood can also make the visit feel more social. Still, keep the scale in mind. This is a small, themed experience, not an expansive entertainment complex. Its charm comes from the oddness of drinking in a frozen room, not from a long list of activities.

Is $34 a fair price?

At $34 per person, Magic Ice Bar is not a bargain if you measure value by the amount of time inside or the size of the venue. Several people found the bar smaller than expected, and one felt the cost was high for what it offered. That is a fair concern.

The price makes more sense when you count everything included: entry, the ice gallery, one signature drink, a poncho, and gloves. You are also paying for the construction and upkeep of an installation made from a huge quantity of ice. This is more involved than walking into a normal bar and ordering a themed cocktail.

I would compare it with the cost of another paid Reykjavik attraction, not with the price of a drink. If you enjoy unusual places, photography, and ice art, the fee may feel reasonable. If your main goal is a strong drink or a large cultural museum, you can probably spend your money better elsewhere.

The attraction is especially useful when you want something different without arranging transport outside the city. You can fit it around other central plans, then continue on to dinner. One visitor used it as a mid-day break, while another paired it with an evening meal in downtown Reykjavik.

Accessibility, timing, and booking details

Magic Ice Bar is listed as wheelchair accessible, and the host or greeter speaks English. The activity is valid for one day, with starting times shown according to availability.

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available, which helps if your Iceland schedule depends on weather, road conditions, or changing plans.

The experience provider is Magic Ice Reykjavik. Since the attraction is indoors, it can give you a dependable activity when outdoor plans are uncomfortable or uncertain. It is also a practical choice in poor weather, though the room itself remains cold.

There is no transport included or needed in the stated arrangement. You make your way to the Álafoss store and head downstairs. Check the meeting instructions carefully so you do not search for a separate entrance.

Who will enjoy Magic Ice Bar most?

I would recommend this for someone who wants a short, unusual Reykjavik activity with a strong visual hook. It suits couples, families with older children, solo visitors who like taking photos, and anyone who has already seen the main city sights and wants a change of pace.

It is also a good match for people who like themed design and small art installations. The Viking carvings give the room a clear story, while the drink and clothing make the visit feel like an activity rather than a simple gallery admission.

You may be less impressed if you expect a big venue, several rooms, or a full evening of entertainment. The bar is smaller than some people imagine, and the admission is not low. Go for the frozen art, the ice glass, and the photo opportunity. Do not go expecting a conventional nightlife venue.

The cold is another deciding factor. If you dislike low temperatures, the supplied poncho and gloves may not be enough to make the visit comfortable. Warm clothing remains important, and you should treat the cold as a central feature rather than a minor detail.

Should you book the Magic Ice Bar?

Book it if you want to do something you cannot easily replicate at home: walk through Viking carvings made of ice, drink from an ice glass, and leave with unusual photos. The friendly staff can add a lot, especially when they help with photos and make the short visit feel lively.

Skip it if $34 feels too much for a compact attraction, or if you want a larger bar with a broad drink menu and room to linger. The fairest way to see it is as a small art experience with a drink included, not as a normal bar visit.

For most people, I would place it in the nice extra category rather than the essential Reykjavik list. If you have room in your schedule and like quirky experiences, it earns its place. If your budget is tight, prioritize Iceland’s major outdoor sights first, then add Magic Ice Bar when the price and the cold room sound like part of the fun.

FAQ

Where is Magic Ice Bar Reykjavik located?

It is located below the Álafoss store in Reykjavik. Enter through the store and go downstairs.

What is included in the admission?

Admission includes entry to the Magic Ice Bar, one welcome drink, a poncho, and gloves.

Is the welcome drink served in a real ice glass?

Yes. The included signature drink is served in a glass made of ice.

Can I buy more drinks?

Yes. Additional drinks are available to purchase at the bar.

How cold is the Magic Ice Bar?

The room is genuinely cold. Warm clothing is recommended even though ponchos and gloves are provided.

What should I bring?

Bring warm clothing and a camera.

Is the experience wheelchair accessible?

Yes. The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible.

What language does the host speak?

The host or greeter speaks English, and English is the listed activity language.

Can I cancel my booking?

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

Can I reserve now and pay later?

Yes. A reserve-now, pay-later option is available, subject to the booking conditions shown when you reserve.