Nightlife

Some people say that the nightlife of Iceland is almost as wild as the terrain. The nation is host to many indoor and outdoor parties that continue till the entire crowd drops down, out of exhaustion. Not only is Iceland a great place to party but the night also offers a chance to explore the darker side of Iceland's nature through night-time hiking, skiing and golfing activities.

As far is the capital goes, Reykjavik is the best place to party in Iceland or perhaps even in Europe. There is so much energy in the air that everyone will feel compelled to let down his or her hair and boogey through the night. Even the locals are very much in the ‘life-gets-brighter-after-dark' bit and use their free evenings to join the mayhem on the streets or in popular nightclubs and discos. There is large disparity in the musical stylings of each clubs and it is pretty much an assurance that no matter what your preference, there is a place that plays your kind of songs. Clubs remain open well into the twilight hours, at times serving breakfast to the guests before allowing them to be on their way.

This certainly doesn't mean that those who prefer to spend their night quietly with a drink can't be entertained in Iceland. There are plenty of English style pubs, bars, cafés and bistros for this kind of lot as well. Speaking of drinks, Iceland has a large variety to offer such as beers that will tempt even the strictest of abstainers. Varieties such as Viking Beer, Pilsner, Gull and Thule are but a few of all the intoxicants Iceland can offer visitors. But be warned, the Icelandics are very much in favor of mixing different types of alcohol so that the simple-looking cocktail you order can turn out to be a ‘knock-you-unconscious-killer' doosey.

Reykjavik is also pretty up beat when it comes to live music performances and very often the clubs are jamming to live bands ranging from genres like punks and techno to the blues. At times there is a concert happening somewhere in the city each night of the week and sometimes these concerts host international stars from Iceland such as Björk and Sigur Rós.

A good idea when visiting nightclubs in Iceland is to show up early because the later you get, the longer it would take for you to enter the club.

A. Favorite Spots

The following is a brief account of the night spots in the capital Reykjavik.

Kaffi Solon

A place popular with locals and tourists alike, Kaffi Solon has great crowds and rocking DJ music. It is however, closed on Sundays.

Café Viktor

This is a place to visit no matter what you wish to do, enjoy a drink, dance off the night or eat your heart out - this place has it all. There is also a Broadway entertainment hall, which features performances from all over the world.

Gaukur a stong (Life music)

This is perhaps one of the oldest beer bars in the country, given that it has been operating since beer was not legal in the area. It has live music playing every day of the week and is a great lounging place.

Club 22

A great disco floor and location makes this club a great place for a hang out. It has a large dancing area and a great crowd, although entry is denied to people who dress to sleazy or casual. The restaurant menu is simply exquisite, but the real attraction for people is that this perhaps is the only place recognized all over Iceland as an unofficial gay bar.

Sirkus

If you have an affinity for alternative music and atmosphere, visit the Sirkus club and you will definitely find like-minded individuals.

Grand Rokk

This is the place for a quite evening with family where people can spend their time listening to live music and savoring the best collection of malt whiskies in Iceland.

Nasa

It is a huge nightclub where people are advised to go in large groups to make the most of it.

Glaumbar

This is an American Bar that has a large screen television and usually functions as a sports bar. When the screaming supporters and fans are absent, the music of Glaumbar, by itself is loud enough to wake the dead.

Pravda

A very cool, relaxed place to be that has been in operation since the past ten years.

Kaffi Reykjavik

This is a one-for-all and all-for-one sort of deal with a single large space acting as club, disco, pub, lounge and restaurant. It plays live music every day and is located in a historically famous building.

VIII. Culture

The Viking's love for adventure and freedom inspired them to establish permanent settlements in Iceland during the ninth century. Most of the Icelanders trace their roots to the Scandinavians along with some Celtic blood that still runs in some of the Icelanders. The island nation has a democratic system of governance and the present generation of Icelanders still values its freedom and has great respect for fellow countrymen as well as visitors.

The egalitarian structure of society will be revealed to you when you visit the island, which also has a long history of literary accomplishments. Icelanders enjoy their culture and it has been an indissoluble part of an Icelander's character and identity, since the time when the medieval Sagas were written. These Sagas are famous and are ranked amongst the best classics of world literature. The island nation is also actively involved in the pursuit of most other forms of creative and performing arts. The strong cultural influences has inspired many a writers, actors, artists, and composers such as Halldor Laxnes, Leifs, Jóhannson and Björk to produce world-class paintings, music, books, and films.

A. Music

The local music of Iceland is based on Nordic music forms, and includes traditional folk as well as modern pop. Some of the main music groups in the country include the ‘sugarcubes', ‘voces thules', whereas prominient singers include Bjork, Emiliana Torrini, Sigur Rós. There is only one folk band, ‘Islandica' whose recordings are available abroad.

Traditional forms of music in Iceland have religious connotations. Hallgrímur Pétursson wrote a number of Protestant hymns in the seventeenth century and the music was modernized in the nineteenth century by Magnús Stephensen who laid stress on the use of pipe organs. Over the years, many other instruments started being used such as harmoniums, langspil and fiđla. Some of the other forms of music in Iceland include Epic alliterative and rhyming ballads, which are also known as ‘rimur'.

The current form of popular music in iceland is mostly pop and the main group bands include Sálin hans Jóns míns, Írafár, Í Svörtum Fötum, Quarashi and Skítamórall whereas, solo singers include Bubbi Morthens, Björgvin Halldórsson and Páll Rósinkranz.

B. Language

The main language used in Iceland for writing and speaking is Icelandic, which is a Nordic language, similar to that used by the first settlers in Iceland. When a new word is needed for describing something new, the Icelanders coin new words on their own based on either combinations or modifications of old words. The most interesting aspect of Icelandic language is that it is the oldest form of language in Europe that is still being used. Other languages that are mandatory in schools are English and Danish. English is also spoken widely in Iceland.

C. Religious Practices

Around 90 percent of the population in Iceland belongs to Lutheran Christians and although, attendance in churches is low, the religious beliefs and practices are quite widespread. The other main religious group is the Pentecostals whose churches are located in Keflavík, Akureyri, and Reykjavik. The Seventh Day Adventists represent less than 0.3 percent of the population and growth has remained static for almost ten years, supposedly due to the generalized secularism of the nation. The Mormons have a small presence on the island and are supposed to be the only religious group in Iceland that is currently active in trying to proselytize in Iceland. The Jehovah's Witness has approximately 289 followers but recent census indicates that the actual number of followers is twice the number. There are around hundred smaller religious groups that have been registered in Iceland and the smallest one is the First Baptist Church that only has ten members. Although, most of the population follows some form of Christianity, other non-Christian religions also maintain a small presence on the island including Asatru, Muslims, Buddhism, Zen, and Judaism.

D. Major Events

Christmas (December)

Christmas is celebrated widely on the island but as compared to the festival's association with Santa Claus in America and other western nations, Christmas celebrations in Iceland are associated with Gully Gawk, Window Peeper, Bowl Licker, Pot Scraper, Door Slammer and other fictional characters. This is the time of the year when local restaurants in Iceland go into overdrive by offering Christmas Buffets, which include different dishes such as succulent lamb, Hangikjot (smoked lamb), venison, goose and other game birds, fresh seafood, and laufabraud (deep-fried paper-thin bread). Mouth-watering desserts are also offered such as Christmas cookies, kleinur (fried dough), delicate tortes and cream-laden cakes.

Bolludagur or "Buns Day" (February 23, 2004) - I

Celebrations on this day mostly revolve around the consumption of delicious foods without worrying about the number of calories. On this day, children are supposed to get up early and wake up their parents by using Bun Wands that are decorated with strips of paper and gleaming ribbons. The parents oblige by giving one cream puff for every blow received from the wand. On this day, homes, shops, restaurants, and bakeries overflow with cream puffs or Buns that are filled with cream, jam and sometimes drizzled with chocolate.

Easter (April 8-12, 2004) -

Easter celebrations are definitely a treat especially for those who have a sweet tooth, as different types of chocolate Easter eggs are prepared, most of them stuffed with yummy candy. On Easter Sunday, the locals throng the churches, dressed in their best and after the prayers savor the traditional meal of roasted Icelandic lamb served with rhubarb jelly and sugar-browned potatoes. Easter Monday is an official holiday in Iceland and is characterized by family get-togethers and outdoor excursions.

Reykjavik Arts Festival (May 14 - 31, 2004) -

The cultural festival is being hosted every year in capital Reykjavik since 1970 and is famous for bringing together the best in local and international entertainment. The festival is characterized by numerous selected exhibitions, concerts, dance, theater and opera performances featuring many international artists and performers.

Icelandic Independence Day (June 17) -

Iceland was declared independent on June 17, 1944 and the day is celebrated every year all over Iceland and most prominently in the capital Reykjavik, where the celebrations are marked by parades, street theater, sideshows and dancing.

E. Etiquette / Do's And Don'ts

DO'S

- If some local Icelander has invited you on coffee at his home, it will be appreciated if you carry a small gift such as wine or flowers.

- You need to remove your shoes before entering an Icelander's home.

- You are expected to shake hands, both while greeting and leaving, as it is the prevailing custom in Iceland.

Don'ts

- Do not smoke in public buildings as it is prohibited and do not light a cigarette in a guest's house without asking their permission.

- While referring to an Icelander, do not use his or her surname as Icelanders use the first name of an individual.

- While looking for a name in a TeleTel directory, do not search by the surname as all the names are listed by their first names.

IX. More Information / Resources

A. Tourism Offices

Tourist Information Center

Adalstraeti 2 • 101 Reykjavik

Tel.: (+354) 562-3045 • Fax: (+354) 562-3057

Tourist Information Center

V/Bruartorg • 310 Borgarnes

Tel.: (+354) 437-2214 • Fax: (+354) 437-2314

tourinfo@vesturland.is • www.west.is

Tourist Information Center

Adalstraeti 7, • 400 Isafjordur

Tel.: (+354) 456-5121 • Fax: (+354) 456-5185

info@vestfirdir.is • www.vestfirdir.is

Tourist Information Center

Hafnarstraeti 82 • 600 Akureyri

Tel.: (+354) 462-7733 • Fax: (+354) 461-1817

tourinfo@est.is • www.eyjafjordur.is

Tourist Information Center

Kaupvangur 10, P.O. Box 144 • 700 Egilsstadir

Tel.: (+354) 471-2320 • Fax: (+354) 471-1863

east@east.is • www.east.is Tourist Information Center

Hafnarbraut 52 • 780 Hofn (Hornafjordur)

Tel.: (+354) 478-1500 • Fax: (+354) 478-1607

camping@simnet.is • www.east.is

Tourist Information Center

Breidamork 2 • 810 Hveragerdi

Tel.: (+354) 483-4601 • Fax: (+354) 483-4604

tourinfo@hveragerdi.is • www.sudurland.net/info

Tourist Information Center

Keflavik Airport - Leifsstod • 235 Keflavik

Tel.: (+354) 425-0330 • (+354) 421-6723

Fax: (+354) 421-4667

touristinfo@reykjanesbaer.is • www.reykjanes.is

Tourist Information Center

Kjarninn - Hafnargata 57 • 230 Keflavik

Tel.: (+354) 421-5155 • Fax: (+354) 421-3150

reykjanes@reykjanesbaer.is • www.reykjanes.is

B. Iceland Embassies

Canada

360 Albert Street, Suite 710

Ottawa, ON K 1R 7X7

Canada

Tel.: + 1 (613) 482 1944

Fax: + 1 (613) 482 1945

E-mail: icemb.ottawa@utn.stjr.is

Website: www.iceland.org/ca

United States

1156 15th Street N.W., Suite 1200

Washington, D.C. 20005-1704

United States

Tel.: + 1 (202) 265 6653

Fax: + 1 (202) 265 6656

E-mail: icemb.wash@utn.stjr.is

Website: www.iceland.org/us

United Kingdom

2A Hans Street

London SW1X 0JE

United Kingdom

Tel.: + 44 (20) 7259 3999

Fax: + 44 (20) 7245 9649

E-mail: icemb.london@utn.stjr.is

Website: www.iceland.org/uk

C. Foreign Embassies In Iceland

Canada

Tungata 14

101 Reykjavík

Iceland

Open: 09:00-12:00 (Mon-Fri)

Tel.: + 354 575 6500

Fax: + 354 575 6501

E-Mail: rkjvk@dfait-maeci.gc.ca

Website: www.canada.is

United States

Laufasvegur 21

101 Reykjavík

Iceland

Open: 08:00-12:30 and 13:30-17:00

Tel.: + 354 562 9100

Fax: + 354 562 1020

E-mail: consularreykja@state.gov

Website: www.usa.is

United Kingdom

Laufasvegur 31

101 Reykjavík

Iceland

Open: 08:30-12:00 (Mon-Fri)

Tel.: + 354 550 5100

Fax: + 354 550 5105

E-mail: britemb@centrum.is

Website: www.britishembassy.is