If you are looking for cheap booze you should probably skip Iceland: When you come to Iceland you should expect to pay Las Vegas prices for drinks at all Reykjavík bars.
4th most expensive world-wide
In fact, Iceland is one of the most expensive places in the world, when it comes to drinks. According to the cost of living aggregator Numbeo, which keeps track of the prices of various consumer goods in major cities around the world, 0,5 liters, the standard size of a large beer, about equivalent to a pint, will set you back 8,18 EUR (10,00 USD).
Read more: Reykjavík world's 14th most expensive city, slightly more affordable than New York
The only European city with more expensive beer is Oslo, where the average price for a large domestic beer is 8,38 EUR. In the global ranking of beer prices Norway and Iceland come in third and fourth place, respectively, as the top two spots are occupied by Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. A large beer in Qatar costs 8,91 EUR, and 8,83 EUR.
Beer in Reykjavík is actually more expensive
We at Iceland Insider are a bit suspicious of the beer price quoted by Numbeo, as one is hard pressed to find a bar in Reykjavík where you can find a large beer for 10 USD, the equivalent of 1.000 ISK. The usual price for a large beer at bars in Reykjavík is closer to 1.200 ISK. However, as the prices quoted by Numbeo are average prices compiled by user contributed data, we suspect they also include prices paid by people during happy hour.
Read more: Why is alcohol so expensive in Iceland? And what can you do to protect yourself against it?
A savvy traveler who wants to enjoy a drink while in Reykjavík can do one of three things:
1) Stock up on alcohol at the Duty Free store upon arrival. A couple of six packs of regular domestic beer or some craft brews to enjoy during a queit hour with your friends might be sensible. Alternatively you can go to the state monopoly liqour stores: Remember that alcohol is NOT sold in super markets in Iceland.
Read more: Beware: The “Pilsner” at grocery stores is not beer!
2) Seek out the happy hour deals. Icelanders take advantage of happy hour specials, which almost all bars offer. The usual happy hour in Iceland is 16:00-19:00 (4 pm-7 pm), but these vary depending on the bar. If you want real value for your money go to the happy hour at some of the craft bars, where you will get specials on high quality beers. Our favorite is the happy hours at Kaldi Bar.
3) Just accept that you will have to pay top dollar for your drinks! You didn't come to Iceland for the beer, anyway, but the scenery and natural beauty!
If you are looking for cheap booze you should probably skip Iceland: When you come to Iceland you should expect to pay Las Vegas prices for drinks at all Reykjavík bars.
4th most expensive world-wide
In fact, Iceland is one of the most expensive places in the world, when it comes to drinks. According to the cost of living aggregator Numbeo, which keeps track of the prices of various consumer goods in major cities around the world, 0,5 liters, the standard size of a large beer, about equivalent to a pint, will set you back 8,18 EUR (10,00 USD).
Read more: Reykjavík world's 14th most expensive city, slightly more affordable than New York
The only European city with more expensive beer is Oslo, where the average price for a large domestic beer is 8,38 EUR. In the global ranking of beer prices Norway and Iceland come in third and fourth place, respectively, as the top two spots are occupied by Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. A large beer in Qatar costs 8,91 EUR, and 8,83 EUR.
Beer in Reykjavík is actually more expensive
We at Iceland Insider are a bit suspicious of the beer price quoted by Numbeo, as one is hard pressed to find a bar in Reykjavík where you can find a large beer for 10 USD, the equivalent of 1.000 ISK. The usual price for a large beer at bars in Reykjavík is closer to 1.200 ISK. However, as the prices quoted by Numbeo are average prices compiled by user contributed data, we suspect they also include prices paid by people during happy hour.
Read more: Why is alcohol so expensive in Iceland? And what can you do to protect yourself against it?
A savvy traveler who wants to enjoy a drink while in Reykjavík can do one of three things:
1) Stock up on alcohol at the Duty Free store upon arrival. A couple of six packs of regular domestic beer or some craft brews to enjoy during a queit hour with your friends might be sensible. Alternatively you can go to the state monopoly liqour stores: Remember that alcohol is NOT sold in super markets in Iceland.
Read more: Beware: The “Pilsner” at grocery stores is not beer!
2) Seek out the happy hour deals. Icelanders take advantage of happy hour specials, which almost all bars offer. The usual happy hour in Iceland is 16:00-19:00 (4 pm-7 pm), but these vary depending on the bar. If you want real value for your money go to the happy hour at some of the craft bars, where you will get specials on high quality beers. Our favorite is the happy hours at Kaldi Bar.
3) Just accept that you will have to pay top dollar for your drinks! You didn't come to Iceland for the beer, anyway, but the scenery and natural beauty!
