Microbar Reykjavík
Reykjavíkurborg, Reykjavík
Bar in Reykjavík, Iceland
Book with PearlWhy go
Microbar on Laugavegur 86 is Reykjavik's most accessible late-night bar option: central, easy to get into, well-placed for a multi-stop evening on the city's main nightlife strip. It works best as one stop among several rather than a destination in itself. Book easy, go early for conversation, or arrive late if you want the full Reykjavik weekend energy.
About Microbar Reykjavík
Verdict: A Low-Barrier Entry Point Into Reykjavik's Late-Night Bar Scene
Microbar sits on Laugavegur 86, the main artery of Reykjavik's nightlife strip, which tells you exactly what it is: a walk-in-friendly bar positioned for easy access rather than exclusivity. Booking difficulty is rated easy, for a city where weekend nights run long and loud, that accessibility matters more than you might expect. If you are visiting Reykjavik and want a bar you can count on without planning three weeks ahead, Microbar is a sound choice for that role.
The address on Laugavegur places it within walking distance of most central accommodation and alongside a dense cluster of bars and restaurants. That concentration works in your favor: you can treat Microbar as an anchor point in a longer evening, moving between it and neighboring venues as the night develops. For the explorer visiting Reykjavik for the first time, the location alone removes a logistical headache.
Late-Night Viability
Reykjavik's nightlife is genuinely late by European standards. The city's bar scene tends to shift into higher gear well past midnight, particularly on weekends, venues on Laugavegur bear the brunt of that foot traffic. Microbar's positioning on this stretch means it naturally fits into that rhythm. A bar with easy booking and a central address on the main nightlife corridor is, practically speaking, one of the more reliable options for a spontaneous evening stop or a second venue after dinner.
The trade-off is that easy entry and high foot traffic on a busy street rarely coexist with a quiet, contemplative atmosphere late in the evening. If you are after a slower-paced drink with room for conversation, the early evening window is your better move. By midnight on a Friday or Saturday, Laugavegur-adjacent bars typically carry the energy of a city that front-loads its week and then releases it all at once on weekends.
For context on how Reykjavik's bar scene compares internationally, Bar Leather Apron in Honolulu offers a useful point of contrast: a cocktail-focused, reservation-recommended room built for deliberate drinking. Microbar sits at the opposite end of that spectrum, which is neither a criticism nor a compliment; it is a category distinction that should drive your decision.
How It Fits Into a Reykjavik Trip
If you are building out a broader Reykjavik itinerary, use our full Reykjavik bars guide to map your evenings properly. Microbar works well as one stop among several rather than a destination in itself. Pair it with dinner from our Reykjavik restaurants guide and factor in the broader neighborhood from our Reykjavik hotels guide if you are still planning accommodation.
Other nearby reference points worth knowing: 12 Tónar offers a completely different register; more music-focused and lower volume. Kramber in Iceland and Prýði in Vestmannaeyjabær extend the picture if you are traveling beyond Reykjavik itself. And if a wine-forward evening sounds more appealing than a bar crawl, our Reykjavik wineries guide and experiences guide cover that angle.
Know Before You Go
- Address: Laugavegur 86, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland
- Booking difficulty: Easy, walk-ins are a realistic option on most nights
- Ideal time to visit: Early evening for a quieter room; expect higher volume after 11 PM on weekends
- Location context: Central Laugavegur strip, surrounded by bars and restaurants within walking distance
- Price range: Not confirmed in available data, budget for Reykjavik's generally high bar prices
- Hours: Not confirmed, verify directly before visiting
- Phone/website: Not available in current data, check Google Maps for current contact details
How It Compares
See the comparison section below for how Microbar stacks up against Bodega, Bryggjuhúsið, and BakaBaka on value, ambiance, booking ease.
Planning details
- Location
- Laugavegur 86, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Microbar presents a compact, purpose-driven take on Reykjavík nightlife: intentionally small, beer-focused and arranged around the counter. The room announces its character through proximity and density rather than through theatrical design — tap handles are visible from the entrance, there is no dance floor or DJ setup, and the sound level remains low enough for conversation. Located on Laugavegur, it slots into the city’s crawl-friendly rhythm as a place that rewards lingering. The experience privileges close company, careful tasting and a slower pace of drinking amid the bustle of the main strip.
Best For
This is a bar built for short, deliberate stops and solitary or paired drinking rather than large gatherings. It suits people who want to slow the evening down — an opening move on a night out, a midpoint recalibration during a crawl, or a late-night pause to focus on beers rather than volume or spectacle. Because the room is compact and centred on the counter, it’s less appropriate for big groups or loud celebrations; instead it favours conversational evenings and after-work detours along Laugavegur.
Ordering Tips
Treat the visit like a tasting session: take your time at the counter and let the small footprint guide your choices. The bar is explicitly beer-focused and the taps are part of the room’s identity, so scan the handles, ask about what’s pouring and prioritise depth of selection over novelty. Expect limited floor space — aim for a brief stay if you’re with a larger party — and plan this as a focused stop within a broader evening on Laugavegur rather than a long, boisterous event.
Venue details
Ambiance
Cozy and relaxed atmosphere with good music, friendly service, and a focus on craft beer enthusiasts.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
Format
At the Bar
- Bar Category
- Beer Bar
- Music
- Relaxed
Planning details
Location
Laugavegur 86, 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 Microbar Compares to Other Reykjavik Bars
If your priority is ease of access on a spontaneous evening, Microbar has the clearest advantage over most of its Laugavegur-area peers: no complicated booking process, a central address, a format that accommodates walk-ins. Bodega carries more of a local institution feel and tends to draw a more mixed crowd across different times of night, which can make it a warmer room earlier in the evening. If atmosphere and a sense of place matter more to you than pure convenience, Bodega is the stronger call.
Bryggjuhúsið and Port 9 both offer a different register: more deliberate, slightly removed from the Laugavegur foot-traffic corridor, better suited to a slower evening where the drink itself is the point. If you are building a night around a specific cocktail or drinks experience rather than bar-hopping, either of those is worth prioritising over Microbar. Vínstúkan Tíu Sopar is the clear choice if wine is your preference; it operates in a different category entirely and should not be compared to Microbar on ambiance or drinks depth.
BakaBaka is the most relevant direct comparison for late-night ease: also accessible, also centrally located, similarly suited to the explorer who wants flexibility rather than a fixed plan. The practical distinction between the two comes down to whichever you encounter first on the strip. For a fuller picture of where each of these venues sits in the Reykjavik bar scene, our full Reykjavik bars guide maps the options by type, mood, booking requirement.
Explore Reykjavík
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Microbar Reykjavík guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Microbar Reykjavík
| Venue | Location | Awards |
|---|---|---|
| Microbar Reykjavík | Reykjavik | No published awards |
| Bodega | Reykjavik | No published awards |
| Bryggjuhúsið | Reykjavik | No published awards |
| Port 9 | Reykjavik | No published awards |
| Vínstúkan Tíu Sopar | Reykjavik | No published awards |
| BakaBaka | Reykjavik | No published awards |
How Microbar Reykjavík compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Microbar Reykjavík located?
Microbar Reykjavík is located in Reykjavik, at Laugavegur 86, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland.
