Kíkí Queer Bar
Reykjavíkurborg, Reykjavík
Bar in Reykjavík, Iceland
Book with PearlWhy go
Kíkí Queer Bar on Laugavegur is Reykjavik's go-to for an inclusive, walk-in-friendly night out. It's a drinks-first venue with genuine social atmosphere; eat elsewhere first, then settle in here. Central location makes it easy to combine with a broader evening on the strip.
About Kíkí Queer Bar
Is Kíkí Queer Bar worth visiting in Reykjavik?
Yes; if you want a genuinely welcoming queer bar on Reykjavik's main strip, Kíkí delivers. It sits on Laugavegur 22, right in the middle of the city's most walkable bar corridor, which means you can fold it into a broader night out without planning around it. For a special occasion drink or a date night that doesn't require a reservation, it's the right call.
Reykjavik's bar scene skews casual and egalitarian, Kíkí fits that pattern while carving out a specific identity. It's one of the few venues in the city explicitly positioned as queer space, which matters for the right group. The crowd is mixed in the leading sense: locals, tourists, regulars who know each other by name. That social texture is harder to manufacture than cocktail menus, Kíkí has it.
On the food question; the honest answer with a bar at this address and profile is to treat it as a drinks-first venue. Laugavegur is surrounded by better food options if a full meal is the goal. Check our full Reykjavik restaurants guide for where to eat before you arrive, then use Kíkí for what it does well: atmosphere and drinks in a space where you won't feel out of place regardless of who you're.
Booking is easy, walk-ins are the norm here, the central location means you can assess the room before committing. If you're planning a larger group celebration, earlier in the evening gives you more space and flexibility. Later in the week and on weekends, expect it to fill and get loud, which suits a party but less so a quiet date.
For context on where Kíkí sits in the broader Reykjavik drinking circuit, our full Reykjavik bars guide maps out the options by vibe and format. If you're also planning where to stay, our Reykjavik hotels guide covers the options closest to Laugavegur. Other bars worth knowing in the same neighbourhood include Bodega, 12 Tónar, and BakaBaka. Further afield in Iceland, Kramber and Prýði in Vestmannaeyjabær are worth adding to a longer itinerary.
Walk-in friendly · Laugavegur 22, central Reykjavik · Drinks-first venue · Leading early evening for groups, later for atmosphere.
Planning details
- Location
- Laugavegur 22, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland
- Website
- kiki.is
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Kíkí Queer Bar presents a focused, social room that wears its queer identity with quiet confidence. The bar is unpretentious and deliberately curated: music is part of the room’s energy rather than mere background, and the back bar reflects a selective approach to spirits. Regulars and visitors mix easily here, drawn more by the quality and consistency of programming than by theatricality. On weekend nights Laugavegur’s compressed nightlife amplifies the bar’s atmosphere, creating a lively, convivial scene that feels both approachable and thoughtfully run.
Best For
This is a downtown late‑night hangout built for groups and anyone looking to be part of Reykjavik’s nightlife pulse. Positioned on Laugavegur’s bar strip, Kíkí is especially good for weekend evenings when the street fills and the city’s nightlife concentrates into a few hundred metres. It suits people who want a queer‑forward room without spectacle — a place for social nights out, informal celebrations and meeting other visitors or locals who appreciate a well curated drinks program. The emphasis is on atmosphere and consistency, not novelty.
Ordering Tips
Focus on the bar’s cocktail and spirits program: the back bar is curated rather than stocked with high‑volume brand placement, so ask the team about bottles they enjoy using. Because the cocktail list draws on selective imports, bartenders are a good resource for something off the beaten path or a well‑made classic. If you want to blend into the room’s intent, order a thoughtfully composed cocktail and let the staff recommend a spirit or preparation that reflects the bar’s selective approach.
Venue details
Ambiance
Bright, bold, and colorful with high-spirited energy; playful and music-filled atmosphere that feels genuine and welcoming rather than pretentious.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
Format
At the Bar
- Bar Category
- Lounge
- Late Night
- Open Until 4am
- Music
- Upbeat Dance and Dj Sets
- Live Music
- Yes
Signature Pours
Cosmo
Planning details
Location
Laugavegur 22, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland · Directions
Also consider
Also Consider
- Bodega; Notable alternative
- Bryggjuhúsið; Notable alternative
- Port 9; Notable alternative
- Vínstúkan Tíu Sopar; Notable alternative
- BakaBaka; Notable alternative
Bar context
How Kíkí Compares to Other Reykjavik Bars
For a straightforward, welcoming bar on the main strip, Kíkí is the easier choice over Bodega if queer-friendly space is a priority. Bodega has a longer reputation and a more established local crowd, but it doesn't carry the same specific identity. If you want a room that's explicitly built for inclusivity rather than just tolerant of it, Kíkí is the cleaner answer.
Bryggjuhúsið and BakaBaka both compete on atmosphere and drinks quality, either would be a stronger choice if food alongside drinks matters to your group. Port 9 and Vínstúkan Tíu Sopar skew more toward wine-focused evenings; better picks if your group wants something quieter and more conversation-friendly. Kíkí wins on energy and identity; those other venues win on food and wine depth.
For a date night where the vibe matters as much as the drinks list, Kíkí is solid; but if you want a calmer, more considered experience, Vínstúkan Tíu Sopar or Bryggjuhúsið are worth considering instead. The decision really comes down to what kind of room you want to be in: Kíkí is for nights that gain momentum as they go, not ones you want to control from start to finish.
Explore Reykjavík
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Kíkí Queer Bar guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Kíkí Queer Bar
| Venue | Awards |
|---|---|
| Kíkí Queer Bar | No published awards |
| Bodega | No published awards |
| Bryggjuhúsið | No published awards |
| Port 9 | No published awards |
| Vínstúkan Tíu Sopar | No published awards |
| BakaBaka | No published awards |
Key differences to consider before you reserve.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kíkí Queer Bar good for a date?
Yes, with caveats. Kíkí on Laugavegur 22 works well for a relaxed early-evening drink with someone new; the queer-inclusive atmosphere keeps things easy and pressure-free. Later in the night it gets louder and more crowded, so if you want conversation, arrive before 10pm. For a quieter date, Port 9 is a better call.
Is Kíkí Queer Bar good for groups?
It handles groups reasonably well as a warm-up stop on a night out along Laugavegur. It's not a large venue, so a group of 8+ may find space tight on weekends. Plan to arrive early or treat it as one stop on a crawl rather than a full evening base.
Is the food good at Kíkí Queer Bar?
Kíkí is a bar, not a kitchen; food is not the reason to come here. If you want to eat before or after, Laugavegur 22's central location puts you within easy reach of several options on the same strip. Don't factor food into your decision when booking this one.
What's the signature drink at Kíkí Queer Bar?
No specific signature cocktail is documented for Kíkí. As a queer bar on Reykjavik's main nightlife street, the drink focus is on accessible, crowd-friendly options rather than a craft cocktail program. Go for a beer or a straightforward mixed drink and you'll be fine.
Do I need a reservation at Kíkí Queer Bar?
No reservation needed; Kíkí operates as a walk-in bar. That said, Laugavegur 22 fills up on Friday and Saturday nights, particularly during summer when tourist footfall in Reykjavik peaks. Arriving before 11pm gives you the best chance of a comfortable spot without queuing.
What's the crowd like at Kíkí Queer Bar?
Mixed and welcoming; Kíkí draws a queer-identifying crowd alongside straight allies, tourists, locals. It's not a scene bar with a strict door policy; the vibe skews inclusive rather than exclusive. Expect it to get younger and louder as the night progresses, especially on weekends.
Does Kíkí Queer Bar have outdoor seating?
Outdoor seating is not documented for Kíkí. Given Reykjavik's climate, outdoor bar seating is limited across the city anyway. Laugavegur itself is a walkable street, so the experience of the neighbourhood is partly the draw; but plan to be inside.
