Private Reykjavik Beer & Booze Tour

Reykjavik’s beer story is stranger than you might expect. Beer was banned in Iceland for 74 years, and this private evening walk turns that odd fact into a lively introduction to local drinking culture, with stops at three central bars and plenty of Icelandic beer or schnapps along the way.

I like the private format, since your guide can answer questions about Icelandic life instead of giving a fixed speech to a large crowd. I also like the practical route: you try several drinks, hear stories about the old alcohol laws, and finish at Hallgrímskirkja. The main drawback is the price, $172.48 per person, which makes the tour best for people who value personal guiding and included drinks.

Key points to know before you book

• Three central Reykjavik bars: Skúli Craft Bar, Session Craft Bar, and Ölstofa Kormáks og Skjaldar make up the tasting route.
• A private guide for your group: Only your party participates, so you can ask direct questions about Icelandic beer, schnapps, and daily life.
• Four beers at the second stop: Session Craft Bar is the main tasting stop, with four Icelandic beers or a couple of local schnapps.
• A long-forgotten beer ban: The guide explains why beer was illegal in Iceland for 74 years.
• About two to two and a half hours: The tour is long enough for three bars but short enough to fit around other Reykjavik plans.
• A downtown start and finish: Meet at Ingólfur Square and end by Hallgrímskirkja, with no hotel drop-off included.

Why Reykjavik’s beer story is worth hearing

Iceland may now have a lively craft beer scene, but beer was illegal here until 1989. That gives this tour a useful sense of place. You are not simply moving from pub to pub with a glass in hand. You are learning how a country’s laws, traditions, and modern tastes shaped what people drink today.

The guide covers the funny side of Icelandic alcohol history, including the 74-year beer ban. That subject gives the tastings some context and helps explain why local beer culture feels relatively young compared with that of many European countries.

I also like that the tour includes schnapps as an alternative. If beer is not your favorite, you can sample Icelandic spirits instead. The precise schnapps selection is not specified, so you should think of it as an available option rather than a guaranteed tasting menu.

The private setup makes a real difference here. A past guide named Arnar was praised for talking easily about Icelandic drinking customs, answering questions about life in Iceland, and offering ideas for other things to do in the country. That sort of conversation is one of the better reasons to choose this experience instead of simply walking into a bar on your own.

Starting at Ingólfur Square

You meet at Ingólfur Square, at Austurstræti 4, five minutes before the start time. This is a sensible meeting point in central Reykjavik, close to public transportation and within the city center.

The opening stop is listed as Your Friend In Reykjavik. It is a short five-minute meet-and-greet before you head to the first bar. Do not expect a full tasting here. The useful part is meeting your guide, confirming the group, and getting a quick orientation before the drinking begins.

The tour ends at Hallgrímskirkja, at Hallgrímstorg 1. That makes the route handy if you plan to visit the church, walk through the surrounding streets, or continue exploring central Reykjavik afterward.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. Pickup is mentioned among the available features, but the specific meeting information says not to count on hotel transportation. Plan to reach Ingólfur Square yourself and arrange your own way back from Hallgrímskirkja.

First tasting at Skúli Craft Bar

Skúli Craft Bar is where the tour settles into its main rhythm. You begin with a selection of Icelandic craft beers or a schnapps, while the guide explains the unusual story of alcohol in Iceland.

This first stop is important because it gives you a reference point for the rest of the evening. Instead of rushing straight into several samples, you get the basic background first. You can ask what makes the beers local, how Iceland’s alcohol rules affected drinking habits, and how the modern craft scene fits into the country’s past.

The stop lasts about 45 minutes. That is enough time for a relaxed introduction, though the exact number and size of drinks are not stated. The tour promises alcoholic beverages, but the choice of beer styles and schnapps can vary.

Skúli is also a good place to listen closely to the guide’s tone. The experience depends more on conversation and storytelling than on a formal tasting lecture. If you want technical notes about every brewing ingredient, this may feel casual. If you want a friendly introduction with a few laughs, it should be a better fit.

Four Icelandic beers at Session Craft Bar

Session Craft Bar is the longest stop, at about 50 minutes. Here, you sample four different Icelandic beers, or a couple of Icelandic schnapps if you prefer spirits.

This is the strongest part of the tour for anyone who wants variety. Four beers let you compare styles rather than judge a single glass in isolation. You can pay attention to the different flavors, strengths, and brewing choices, while the guide adds stories about the local craft beer and booze scene.

The description says the group is a little tipsy by this point, so the atmosphere is meant to be informal and playful. The guide also shares tips, tricks, and funny stories. This is where the private format becomes especially useful. You can pause to ask about a beer, change the pace of the conversation, or steer the discussion toward food, nightlife, or other places to visit in Iceland.

You should still pace yourself. The tour includes several alcoholic drinks over two hours or more, and Icelandic alcohol prices can make samples feel substantial. Eat beforehand or plan food around the tour, since the experience is centered on drinks and does not include a meal.

The exact beer brands are not provided. That is worth noting if you are hoping to plan around a particular brewery. You are paying for a guided selection of Icelandic drinks, not a fixed brand-by-brand tasting list.

Finishing at Ölstofa Kormáks og Skjaldar

The final bar is Ölstofa Kormáks og Skjaldar, where you sample a unique award-winning Icelandic beer and hear about its background. The stop lasts around 45 minutes.

This is the most distinctive part of the route because the beer is described as something you cannot find anywhere else. The supplied information does not name the beer, so you should not book expecting a guaranteed label. Still, the idea is strong: the tour ends with one unusual local drink rather than simply repeating the same type of tasting.

The guide also returns to the story of Iceland’s beer ban here. After trying several modern beers, learning why beer was restricted for so long gives the final stop a clear theme. You leave with more than a list of bars. You understand why beer became such a recent part of everyday Icelandic culture.

The bar is also close to the finish near Hallgrímskirkja. That keeps the route manageable, especially in poor weather, though you should still dress for Reykjavik conditions. The tour operates in all weather, and the itinerary is mostly a walking route between central venues.

What the $172.48 price includes

At $172.48 per person, this is not a cheap way to have a few drinks in Reykjavik. You can visit bars independently for less, especially if you choose only one or two drinks. The price makes more sense if you would otherwise spend time researching bars, deciding what to order, and learning the local background on your own.

Your fee covers a local professional guide, the private experience, and the alcoholic drinks included along the route. You also get a planned progression through three bars, rather than gambling on which places will have space or which beers are worth ordering.

The value depends heavily on group size. For a couple, the cost is high, but you get a very personal experience. For a small private group, the tour may feel more reasonable because everyone shares the guide’s attention and can ask questions freely. Group discounts are available, although the amount is not specified.

You are not paying for hotel transportation or food. If you need a ride to the start, or want dinner afterward, add those costs to your budget. The tour finishes near a major city sight, which helps reduce the need for a taxi after the last drink.

The private format and guide conversation

A private tour works best when you want more than a standard explanation. You can ask about Icelandic customs, alcohol laws, local nightlife, or what else to do during your stay. The guide can also offer recommendations based on your interests, as Arnar did for one group.

That personal conversation is the most highly praised part of the experience. The guide is described as fun to spend time with and able to make the beer scene easy to understand. This matters because a beer tour can quickly become a simple sequence of samples. Good conversation turns it into a local introduction.

The tradeoff is that the quality of the experience depends on the guide assigned to your date. The named guide feedback is about Arnar, but a specific guide is not guaranteed in the booking details. You should expect a local professional guide, while understanding that personalities and presentation styles can differ.

Because only your group takes part, the tour should suit couples, friends, and families with adult drinkers who prefer a flexible pace. It is less suitable if you dislike alcohol, want a large social group, or prefer a silent, technical tasting led by a brewer.

Timing, weather, and practical planning

The tour takes about two to two and a half hours. The listed stops account for roughly 145 minutes, including the short opening meeting, so you should keep part of your evening free rather than schedule something immediately afterward.

This timing works well as an evening activity or as a compact introduction early in your stay. If you book it near the start of your Iceland trip, the guide’s advice may help you choose other bars, sights, and activities. If you book it later, you may already know Reykjavik but can use the tour to focus on local beer.

Dress for the weather. The tour runs in all conditions, and the route involves moving between bars. Reykjavik weather can change quickly, so a warm waterproof layer and sensible shoes are more useful than dressing only for the indoor stops.

The minimum drinking age is 20. Most travelers can participate, and the route is near public transportation. Confirmation is provided when you book. If the minimum number of participants is not reached, the tour can be canceled with a full refund.

You can cancel without charge up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours ahead are not accepted for a refund, with cut-off times based on local time.

Who will get the most from this beer tour

I would choose this tour if you want a guided introduction to Reykjavik’s craft beer scene and enjoy asking questions as you go. It is especially useful for first-time visitors who want a short, organized night out without spending hours comparing bar menus.

It also suits anyone curious about Iceland beyond the usual sightseeing stops. The beer ban, the rise of local brewing, and the role of schnapps give you a look at social customs that you will not get from a standard city walk.

You may want to skip it if you are watching your budget closely. The price is substantial, and you could sample Icelandic beer independently for less. You should also think twice if you do not drink alcohol, since the main activity is tasting beer and spirits rather than touring the bars as cultural landmarks.

For a private group, the price may be easier to justify. You get three venues, several included drinks, a dedicated guide, and a route that ends at Hallgrímskirkja. For a solo visitor, the private pricing may feel harder to defend unless personal guiding is a top priority.

Should you book the Reykjavik Beer and Booze Tour?

Book it if you want a relaxed, social way to understand Icelandic drinking culture, and if you value a private guide who can answer questions along the way. The three-bar route, four-beer tasting at Session Craft Bar, and unusual story of the 74-year beer ban give the evening a clear shape.

Skip it if you mainly want the cheapest drinks in Reykjavik or a fixed list of famous breweries. The brand selection is not guaranteed, hotel transportation is not included, and the $172.48 price requires you to value the guide and private format.

For most small groups who enjoy beer, local stories, and a little evening wandering, this is a well-focused introduction to Reykjavik’s modern drinking scene.

FAQ

How long does the Reykjavik Beer and Booze Tour last?

The experience lasts approximately two to two and a half hours.

Where does the tour start?

You meet at Ingólfur Square, Austurstræti 4, 101 Reykjavík.

Where does the tour end?

The tour ends at Hallgrímskirkja, Hallgrímstorg 1, 101 Reykjavík.

How many bars are included?

The route includes Skúli Craft Bar, Session Craft Bar, and Ölstofa Kormáks og Skjaldar.

How many beers do you taste?

At Session Craft Bar, the tour includes four different Icelandic beers, or a couple of Icelandic schnapps as an alternative.

Are drinks included in the price?

Yes. Beverages and alcoholic beverages are included.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You should plan to reach the meeting point and leave from the end point independently.

Is the tour private?

Yes. Only your personal group participates in the tour.

What is the minimum drinking age?

The minimum drinking age for the experience is 20.

Can you cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.