Gay Travel Guide to Reykjavik

Proudly wearing its badge as a queer-friendly space, Gaukurinn Bar is a fun night out to experience live music, enjoy a drink, and meet new people. Fun fact: Beer was banned in Iceland until 1989, and this bar served the first draft beer post-prohibition. Many now-famous Icelandic artists once performed on the stage, across both pop and rock. Including (yours truly), the Nomadic Boys – though we were kindly asked to get off moments later by security…

Gaukurinn proudly welcomes people of all genders and all communities, providing unisex bathrooms so everyone can feel comfortable.

Opening hours: daily from 4pm until 1am (3am on weekends).

Located at: Tryggvagata 22.

Since the Iceland beer ban was lifted in 1989, Iceland has gone full throttle with its love for the beverage. So a visit to the biggest brewery on the island is a must – especially for enjoying a drink in their bar. Experiment with a range of fabulous flavors, such as raspberry sour and mango pale ale, against the cozy and sophisticated backdrop. Attracting people in their 30s+, Kaldi is ideal for people who love chatting with strangers and late-night dancing. Another thing we loved about Kaldi is they have a heated outdoor terrace – trust us – Iceland gets COOOOOLD on most days throughout the year!

Opening hours: daily 12pm to 1am (3am on weekends).

Located at: Laugavegur 20b.

Tucked away beside the fabulous gay club, Kiki, Bravo is where many members of the LGBTQ community meet for pre-gaming or to have a laidback drink. It has a rough-around-the-edges feel to it, with dim lighting and a mix of rickety chairs and loungers. Nevertheless, the staff and locals are very friendly to newcomers. We felt immediately right at home. There is also a small dancefloor, where you can get warmed up before heading off on a bigger night out.

Opening hours: daily until around midnight.

Located at: Laugavegur 23.

Ask anyone where the hipster hangouts are in Reykjavik and you'll get the unanimous answer: Kaffibarinn. Despite being one of the oldest bars in the city, we were enthralled by its youthful and modern spirit. It has a mixed crowd, both old and young. Not specifically an LGBTQ bar, it’s nevertheless welcoming of all kinds of people. It’s also not the type of place to go for a party. Rather, it prides itself on being a quiet place to meet and make friends, enjoy a delicious coffee or draught beer, and take in the relaxed vibe.

Opening hours: daily from 3pm-1am (4:30am on weekends).

Located at: Bergstaðastræti Street.

Almost every gay local we spoke to raved about how this is “the best coffee in Iceland”! After all, they source their beans from South America – the undisputed holy grail for bean farming. They also train their staff to thoroughly understand the production side of things, so that they can answer customer queries and develop a deep passion for the ultimate pick-me-up drink. Have an interest in coffee-making yourself? The cafe hosts regular workshops customers can pop along to, where they can learn about the most common brewing methods. And if you’d rather sit in and enjoy a drink, that’s fine too. The café is super cosy and a great place to relax.

Opening hours: daily 9am-5pm.

Located at: Brautarholt 2.

From the cartoon kid in their logo to their quirky, colorful décor, stepping into Babalú is like becoming a child again. Located 5 minutes from the Hallgrímskirkja church, you won’t miss it due to its bright blue and vibrant orange exterior. Their menu is stuffed full of crepes, grilled sandwiches, and French fries, as well as several vegan options. Their drinks are ideal for warming up on a frosty day, with scrumptious coffees, hot chocolates, and a range of teas. Whilst waiting for our food, we loved peering at all the eclectic items on the wall, featuring postcards, dolls, birdcages, books, and quirky ornaments.

Opening hours: daily from 8am to 10pm.

Located at: Skólavörðustígur 22.

Part café, part bookshop, a visit here is a must for that Instagram-chic, reader aesthetic. We loved browsing through the shelves, spotting old favorites, and discovering new reads to add to our reading Bucket List. We tucked into a slice of carrot cake lavished with cream (warmly received after walking around exploring Reykjavik all day). Biting into it was like sampling a taste of gay Heaven. The staff was super friendly (and a few super cute!) They also served up authentic Italian Espressos and French croissants which made my Seby feel right at home.

Opening hours: daily from 10am to 6pm.

Located at: ​​Vesturgata 2a.

As the only official gay hangout spot in Reykjavik (in fact in all of Iceland), the pressure was on for Kiki Queen Bar to deliver. And girl, it didn’t disappoint! Each time we went there was a different drag show on. Whether it was a glamorous queen doing a showstopping lip-sync routine, or an old broad doing stand-up, it was always entertaining. Expect this club to be packed to the brim, with a mix of people of ages, genders, and body types. The staff is super friendly and helped these two foreigners pick a good viewing spot for the drag shows.

Opening hours: only open on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings from 8pm to 1am (4:30am on Fri/Sat).

Located at: Laugavegur 22.

Ok, ok, we know we mentioned this one before. But we wanted to add it here again to rave about the bar as a live music venue. After all, it’s an entirely different experience from visiting the bar for a quiet drink. Visiting the Gaukurinn Bar is never a dull night out, especially when they have an exciting new artist performing. From rock to pop, metal to blues, they embrace all music types – and who knows, you may be witnessing the birth of the next national (or global) superstar. We danced our hearts out here and left with several new favorite artists to add to our travel Spotify playlist.

Opening hours: open daily from 4pm until 1am (3am on weekends).

Located at: Tryggvagata 22

Love or hate it, the reign of sushi is here. Everywhere you go, you'll see a sushi restaurant. And we feel it’s well worth the hype. Inspired by Japanese and South American cuisine, Sushi Social uses authentic Icelandic ingredients for its dishes. You can’t beat the fish from the North Atlantic. We tucked into the beef tenderloin, served up with onion jam, celeriac mayo, truffle garden potatoes, and a cardamom glaze. Yum! And if you arrive between 5 and 6pm, Sunday to Thursday, you can enjoy a drink at half price as part of their Happy Hour.

Once you’ve experienced all the benefits the Blue Lagoon has to offer, why not cap it all the work by tucking into a clean, healthy meal at the Lava Restaurant? Start the meal with a delicious soup or cured beef. And for your mains, we recommend choosing either the fresh seafood, served alongside veggies and nuts, or the grilled beef, topped with caramelized onions and mushrooms, there isn’t a dish on the menu not worth trying. And as you’ve been so good to yourself, you can justify a dessert for yourself. The crème brulée is irresistible, bursting with scrumptious vanilla and orange flavor.

Using high-quality ingredients, the chefs at Kol Restaurant take great pride in making each dish taste and look incredible. Grilled fillets, charred salmon, and tender beef are just some of the luscious items to look forward to. And if you can’t tell this place is luxurious from the menu, you’ll certainly realize when you walk in the front door. Its mix of brown and gold décor, cozy seating, and hanging lanterns, give the place a hint of the ole’ Gatsby aesthetic. Best of all, they have a Bubble Brunch every weekend, with an extra special delicious menu and bottomless bubbly drinks.

Connecting old traditions with modern delicacies, Jomfruin is all about quality ingredients, special experiences, and expert service. Strongly influenced by the Danish, if you're stopping in for lunch, we recommend having one of the sandwiches. Though if that ain’t your thing or you want something more filling, stay for dinner. Their menu is packed full of quirky meals like reindeer meatballs (I guess they were retired from Santa’s services). Staff are friendly and offer prompt and efficient service, making the experience sublime from top to bottom.

Sipping on Viking beers, munching on waffle fries, and chatting to the wait staff about our expedition to the Phallogical Museum, there was no better evening than our trip to Islenski Barinn. The interior was richly decorated, with an old-timey vibe, that make its guests feel right at home. Portions were huge, more than enough to fill us up – and we’ve got pretty huge appetites! I tucked into a giant reindeer burger, whilst Seby enjoyed a steaming fish pie. If we didn’t have a sense of Icelandic food and culture before, we sure do now.

Icelandic by name, Icelandic by nature, this restaurant takes the term “sharing is caring” to a whole new level. Grillmarket is all about taking dining beyond the individual experience and making it a communal affair. They don’t serve separate meals per person, but rather, per table. That way, everyone in your party can have a little bit of everything. Raw materials and beef are locally sourced, often bought directly from the farmers, so you can trust that each dish is authentically produced.

When we think of Iceland, we think of two things: dramatic, natural landscapes, and spas. So, there was no holding us back from visiting the wondrous Sky Lagoon. Move through their seven-step Ritual to achieve maximum relaxation. Start by sinking into the lagoon itself, surrounded by the North Atlantic Ocean. Drink in the fiery sunset, glistening waters, and if you're lucky, the captivating Northern Lights. Then move through a series of icy-cold glacier pools, sweltering saunas, energizing mists, intense massages, and rejuvenating shower rooms. Proven to stimulate the heart and drain toxins, your immune system will thank you for it!

Seeing the aurora polaris (aka the Northern Lights) was always high up on my Bucket List. We planned our trip around this – September to March being the optimal time of year for it as that is when the night sky is at its darkest. We got lucky during our trip and saw the Northern Lights several times – an array of gushing greens dancing in the heavens above us from around 11 pm until around 3 am. It was spectacular! Our big takeaway tip for you: bring a good camera/smartphone with a long shutter speed for the best photos. 

Read Seby's inspiring story about how we chased the Northern Lights in Iceland on our big road trip around the country.

You’ve talked the talk about wanting to see Iceland. But are you ready to walk the walk? Every street corner of Reykjavik has a story to tell, and it’s through walking tours that we’ve learned some of our favorite facts about the places we visit. Free walking tours are a fantastic way to gain a deeper insight into all the lesser-known sights whilst helping local students at the same time. Whilst the tours are “free” they ask that you tip them at the end. The tour guides rely on these tips to survive, so we recommend being as fair as you can afford to be.

‘Well hey there America – why don’t you send over a few of those tasty burgers you make…ok Europe, but throw us back some of your delectable French cheese and Swiss chocs…’  

…it’s possible – ‘cause Iceland’s Thingvellir National Park sits right in the middle of the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates. More specifically, there is a water-filled fissure, called Silfra, which separates the two tectonic plates. This is the only place in the world where you can snorkel between two continental plates in the clearest waters you’ll ever see – visibility up to 328 ft (100m)! 

Standing proud at 244ft tall (74m), with a dramatic curved spine and stony wings, the Hallgrimskirkja Church is an iconic architectural achievement. Made to resemble the glaciers and icy mountains that make Iceland so famous, it can be spotted almost anywhere in the city and has come to be seen as a symbol of national pride and identity. And yet, its story only began a relatively short while ago (at least by European standards) – in 1937! It's still used as a place of worship, with Mass taking place every Sunday morning. Entry to the church is free, but if you want to take the elevator to the top it's 1,000 ISK (around $8) per person.

Continuing our love affair for spa days, we paid a trip to the Blue Lagoon – aka the most fabulous of all thermal baths in Iceland! A day spent relaxing in the warm, bubbling waters is hugely beneficial to your body. The baths are kept at a consistent temperature of 98-104ºF (37-40º) and have even been found to help with skin conditions like psoriasis. So, whether you're looking to relax or take a few thirst traps for social media (who could blame you) a visit to the Blue Lagoon is a must!

Officially called “The Icelandic Phallological Museum” – it’s without a doubt, the quirkiest museum we’ve ever been to. Based on the name, we walked in expecting to find wall-to-wall images of adult rated photography. But inside, it’s a fascinating collection of phallic sculptures belonging to nearly 300 specimens – all of which can be found across Iceland. We thought we knew everything there was to know about the male organ (having spent many years having and loving them – wink!). But turns out, there is far more than meets the eye (or third eye, for that matter). Did you know Sperm Whales are the same height as me? That's 5ft7 (170cm)…!

Packed full of items and photos that represent Iceland’s history and culture, a trip to the National Museum of Iceland is a fantastic way to spend an afternoon. There are always several exhibitions at any one time. The museum’s permanent exhibition, Making of a Nation – Heritage and History in Iceland, goes through the history of the Icelandic nation from the Settlement to the present day, showcasing over 2,000 objects. You can find it smack bang in the center of Reykjavik. To enter, you’ll need to purchase an annual pass for 2,500 ISK (around $19).

You’ll want to get the most out of your trip to Iceland, especially if your time there is limited. The Golden Circle tours offer the most bang for your buck as you get to see Iceland’s top 3 attractions in half a day: the Geysir Geothermal Area, Gullfoss Waterfall, and the Thingvellir National Park. The geysers were our favorite. We’ve never seen anything like it – a powerful discharge of water penetrating the air above you every 5-10 minutes! And the Gullfoss? Simply stunning – a powerful body of water plummeting 105ft (32m) down into two tiers into a river gorge.