Iceland's oldest surviving bar, open since 1952, now famous for hip-hop nights and a loyal mixed crowd of locals and visitors. The upstairs club hosts some of the city's most energetic weekend DJ sets.
Prikið, on Bankastræti in central Reykjavík, is Iceland's oldest surviving bar, operating continuously since 1952, and today serves a diner-style cafe by day before turning into a lively bar and upstairs club by night. The crowd spans a wide age range and mixes local regulars with visitors, with a casual, no-dress-code atmosphere throughout. By day the space functions as a laid-back cafe; after dark the downstairs bar fills with a relaxed drinking crowd while the upstairs club becomes one of Reykjavík's best-known venues for hip-hop, playing a mix of hip-hop, R&B, and popular dance tracks through DJ sets that build through the night. The bar serves standard beer, wine, and cocktails at typical Reykjavík prices, without a specialist beer or cocktail programme. Hours run from early morning through 1 AM on weeknights, stretching to 4:30 AM on Friday and Saturday to match the citywide late-night pattern. There is no cover charge and no reservation system for the ground-floor bar; the upstairs club can draw a line at the door on weekend nights once it fills, particularly after midnight when the hip-hop sets are at their most popular, though there is no bottle-service or guest-list route to skip it.
| Price | $$ |
|---|---|
| Hours | Sun–Thu 8:00 AM – 1:00 AM, Fri–Sat 8:00 AM – 4:30 AM |
| Address | Bankastræti 12, 101 Reykjavík |
Good to know
- Signature
- hip-hop nights, casual bar
Weather through the year in Iceland
Best time Shoulder Worth avoiding
Average daytime temperature in °C. Figures are for Iceland.
Location
Bankastræti 12, 101 Reykjavík
64.1480, -21.9390 View on map
Highlights
- Iceland's oldest continuously operating bar, since 1952
- Upstairs club known for hip-hop DJ nights
- Open from breakfast hours through the early morning
- Loyal mix of local regulars and visitors
Tips for visiting
- The upstairs club gets busiest after midnight on Friday and Saturday
- No reservations — arrive early on weekends to beat the door queue
- Weeknight hours end at 1 AM, considerably earlier than weekends
- Doubles as a daytime cafe, so it's also worth a stop outside nightlife hours
Frequently asked questions
Is Prikið open during the day?
Yes, it operates as a cafe from the morning before shifting into bar and club mode in the evening.
What kind of music plays upstairs?
The upstairs club is best known for hip-hop DJ nights, alongside R&B and dance tracks.
Is there a cover charge?
There is no set cover charge, though the venue can reach capacity on weekend nights.