12 Tónar

Winner of “Best Bar To Start The Night” 2026. Runner up 2026 in “Best Outdoor Drinking (Summer)”. Also cited elsewhere as the best place to start a night out, 12 Tónar, the record store with bar and cafe, hosts an outstanding backyard patio in the heart of the shopping district. Curiously, our panel swears the sun lasts longer here than elsewhere, stating, “The sun stays long in the summer there, longer than you’d think.” Truly an ideal place to worship the sun, when it shows its face. 12 Tónar is where every cool kid in Reykjavík is bound to start their Saturday night. “It’s a cosy vibe. No fuss,” one panellist said. Combining experimental (and always great) DJs with a solid smattering of beers, 12 Tónar’s two floors and plentiful seating make any partier feel like they’re at a giant house party. Is there any better place to start the night than that?