Open, a bit industrial, and a great beer list, Skúli Craft Bar is well worth a visit when you’re in Reykjavik. Here’s what beer lovers need to know.
Skúli Craft Bar
Located just off the Ingólfur Square in Reykjavik, Skúli Craft Bar is a great spot to grab a beer.
We wandered in during the late afternoon and found we had the bar nearly to ourselves. High top tables and a good sized L-shaped bar fill out a bright, industrial-feeling space. Windows line two walls and make the place feel bright and welcoming, waking us from our late-afternoon slowdown.
The bartender was very nice and knowledgeable about the beers. Being so quiet, we had the chance to talk with him quite a bit.
He mentioned that they see mostly tourists during the day, due to the price of alcohol in Iceland. Having the ability to buy booze directly from the distributors at a discount of about 30% less than you’ll pay at the bar leads many to drink at home instead. When they do go out, it’s usually later in the evening, after they’ve pre-gamed at home first.
Grab A Brew
They offer a great beer list, with a number of options we didn’t see elsewhere in town. Founders Kentucky Breakfast Stout was a surprise to see on tap all the way off in Iceland (though they had it incorrectly listed as 2017, which hadn’t been released yet at the time).
In addition to 14 taps, they also had a fine bottle selection with some gems included like Lost Abbey, Brouwerij 3 Fonteinen, Jolly Pumpkin, and others.
Like most places in Iceland, they offer a good discount on drinking during happy hour. While most places seemed to do 1/2 off all beers, Skúli Craft Bar only offered a discount on select taps. With this discount meaning $4-8 off per drink, it can add up to big savings. Most of the taps discounted were the more common beers you’ll find around Iceland, rather than those more appealing to craft beer fans.
Like all Icelandic beer bars, the prices can add up quick. Be sure you do your math before you order, or you might end up with quite a large bar tap when you unexpectedly order a $40 USD 12oz bottle.
I grabbed a delicious glass of Mikkeller and Three Floyds Risgoop Barleywine to start and sipped for a bit.
Beer Travels
If you’re looking for a great place to grab a glass and pass the time with nice beer on tap, check out Skuli Craft Bar when in Reykjavik. It’s a great space, close to many of the other spots you’ll likely look to explore. It’s unlikely to be too busy and the tap and bottle selections give you plenty to choose from.
