Try saying “Ölstofa Kormákar og Skjaldar” after three beers and I guarantee somewhat of a tongue-twister. This impossible-sounding name literally means ‘Kormákur and Skjöldur’s Beer Lounge’, the latest hip hang-out for the Reykjavík boho crowd. The bar is owned and run by eccentric-looking twosome Kormákur and Skjöldur – the former, a musician and television presenter, and the latter, once famous for his madcap moustache worn twisted into two sharp prongs. Together they used to own an oddball gentleman’s outfitters on central Skólavördustígur. Their latest venture has seen a quiet but steady success and looks set to become a classic on the Reykjavík bar scene.

This is definately the latest lieu to see and be seen, at least if you’re in with the theatre, music and media ranks. The premises are plain, discreet and comfortable, with plenty of tables and a central bar. Music is turned down to minimal volume, perhaps to encourage the intellectual chit-chat, or to cater for a “settled” crowd of customers in their thirties. According to Kormákur, the bar offers solace to those of the old Kaffibarinn, Generation X crowd who’ve had kids and have put their wild days behind them. This said, boring it’s definitely not, but perhaps just a more tranquil refuge for those fed up with partying along with bronzed, bare twenty-year-olds. Even better, the tipple prices are very reasonable, which could quite easily turn Ölstofan into your friendly local. 

Ölstofa Kormákar og Skjaldar, Vegamótastígur, 101 Reykjavík. Weekdays daily until 1 am, weekends until 3 am.