Game on! Does drinking a couple of beers while watching a game sound good to you? Then do read on. In this article, we will tell you where you can find the best sports bars in Reykjavík. In the mood for live sport games? We will also tell you where you can watch local games.
Best sports bars
American Bar
Don’t let the name fool you. While American Bar tries to capture the spirit of a US bar, its heart still lies in Europe – proper football, that is! The Premiere League, as well as local Icelandic matches, can be found on the many TVs around the bar. Don’t fret, Americans! On Sundays, you can find an American football game to watch. Order a beer and something deep fried and cheer on your favourite team!
Reykjavík Sportbar
One of the newest sports bars in Reykjavík replaces an old local favourite sports bar that once stood a few doors down on Hverfisgata. Along with TVs and booze, Reykjavík Sportbar offers something most bars don’t: pool. Rack them up and get behind the 8 ball while the match plays. And of course, order a local beer on draft.
Ölver
Ölver is the oldest sports bar in Reykjavík, as it opened in 1984. It’s located about 4.5 kilometres outside the downtown area, so you are more likely to encounter local sports fans here than in some bars downtown. In total, they have 5 widescreens and 20 TVs. On their website, you can see what games they show daily. They offer a simple but decent menu consisting of burgers, pizza and beer.
The English Pub
The English Pub shows all major sports events, like the English Premier League, on big screens. It has 6 full HD screens and 2 HD TVs. It’s located in the middle of downtown Reykjavík, with outdoor seating facing Austurvöllur square. They offer 10 different beers on draught and a good selection of whiskey. Additionally, there’s live music every night from 22:00.
Lebowski Bar
Lebowski Bar is not a sports bar in the traditional sense of the word, but they do have 4 good tv screens and show the most important games. And what they lack in the number of screens, they make up for in atmosphere… and White Russians. Their drinks menu includes more than 20 different kinds of White Russians!
Rauða Ljónið
Hidden away in the bottom of a shopping centre and library in Seltjarnarnes, the neighbourhood northwest of Reykjavík, sits Rauða Ljónið, or The Red Lion. It feels like stepping back in time to a smoky sports bar, complete with pool tables, darts, and a small collection of gambling machines. They offer burgers and pizza, as well as cold local beer. Football is always on the TV here, and it’s a great place to watch local matches with the regulars.
Keiluhöllin Egilshöll
The biggest sports bar in Reykjavík nowadays is probably Keiluhöllin in Egilshöll, located in Grafarvogur on the outskirts of the city. The place is best known as a bowling alley, the sports bar is an addition from recent years. They offer a variety of beers on tap and cocktails and will have offers on food and drink during live broadcasts. From downtown Reykjavík, you can take bus number 6 or 18 to Egilshöll.
MiniGarðurinn
MiniGarðurinn has a 1900 m2 area where it offers a sports bar, two 9 hole mini golf courses, darts and a restaurant. It is located in Skútuvogur 2, which is 5 km from downtown Reykjavík. You can take bus no. 12 or 14 to go there from the city center.
Sport & Grill in Smáralind
In Smáralind shopping center in Kópavogur, you can find Sport & Grill which has several big screens and a menu of burgers, appetizers, chicken wings and sourdough pizzas baked in a stone oven. From downtown, you can take buses no.1 and 24 to reach Smáralind.
Best spots to watch local games
Laugardalshöll
The best place to watch local games and competitions is Laugardalshöll, a large indoor sporting arena of 20,000 square metres and with a capacity of 11,000 people. It consists of 5 sports halls for all kinds of sports, from weightlifting to ballet to golf. It hosts various major sport events, such as handball games, basketball games, volleyball games and athletics competitions.
Laugardalsvöllur
Close to Laugardalshöll, there is the stadium where the national football team of Iceland plays its matches. The tribune has 9,800 seats, and when an official game is happening, it’s usually sold out quickly.
Egillshöll
Egillshöll is the biggest sports and entertainment centre in Iceland, consisting of 24,000 square metres. It has an ice skating rink, exercise rooms, and halls for karate, tae kwon do, gymnastics, aerobics and ballet. There is a large indoor football field that is 120 metres long, 90 metres wide, and 20 metres high. It has a tribune that seats up to 2000 people, and different national and international football matches are organised there.
Laugardalslaug
Laugardalslaug is an Olympic size swimming pool with swimming lanes of 50 metres long and good public tribunes. Both the inside pool and the outside pool are used for competitions. Contest like the Nordic Championship Swimming and the Nordic Open diving competition are held there.
Tennishöllin
If you want to see local and international tennis talents play, head to Tennishöllin in Kópavogur, where lots of tournaments are organised, like the Wow Air Open joined by 200 people from all over Europe. Tennis enthusiasts are always welcome to come watch.
The Best Reykjavík Tours Before the Game
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