Jason Wagner
If you're planning on drinking beer in Iceland, there are a few things you should know. Firstly, Iceland has strict rules regarding alcohol sales, and beer can only be purchased from government-owned stores called Vínbúðin or directly from brewers. These stores are typically open from 11 am to 6 pm, but their operating hours vary depending on location, and they are closed on Sundays. Additionally, Iceland has a high drinking age of 20, so make sure you have your ID with you when purchasing alcohol. Beer is also available at bars and restaurants, but it will be significantly more expensive than buying it from a liquor store. If you're looking for the best prices, consider stocking up on duty-free beer at the airport when you arrive.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Beer availability | Beer is available for purchase in Iceland, but it can only be bought from specific shops or directly from brewers. |
| Beer purchase restrictions | Beer cannot be purchased from supermarkets or grocery stores. It can only be bought from government-owned stores called "Vínbúðin" or "Vinbudin." |
| Age restrictions | The legal drinking age in Iceland is 20 years, and a valid photo ID is required to purchase alcohol. |
| Duty-free options | Beer and other alcoholic beverages can be purchased duty-free at Keflavik Airport, with significant savings compared to regular stores. |
| Store locations | Vínbúðin stores are available in most major towns and cities in Iceland, including Reykjavik and the countryside. |
| Store hours | Store hours vary by location. In Reykjavik, stores are typically open from 10:00/11:00 AM to 20:00, while in the countryside, some stores may only open for a few hours in the evening. All stores are closed on Sundays. |
| Store selection | The selection of beer and other alcoholic beverages varies between Vínbúðin stores. Some stores have a wide variety of spirits or craft beers, while others may have a more limited selection. |
| Beer prices | Beer prices vary depending on the brand and location. A can or bottle of beer at Vínbúðin typically costs between 300-600 ISK, while the same beer in a bar can cost 900-1200 ISK or more. |
What You'll Learn
Beer in Iceland is expensive
The duty-free store at Keflavik Airport is an exception to the rule, where you can buy alcohol at significantly lower prices. However, there are limits on how much alcohol you can buy—currently, six units per person. A beer at a bar or restaurant will cost around $10-$15, and a bottle of wine will start from around $50.
The only other place to buy alcohol is directly from brewers, but the prices are often 5 times higher than at Vínbúðin. In addition, some spa centres and establishments serving alcohol have been known to sell alcohol to-go, provided the caps are kept on.
The high cost of alcohol in Iceland has an impact on the drinking culture. Icelanders tend to "pre-drink" or "pre-game" at home before going out, and locals typically don't go out until the early hours of the morning. Bars and clubs don't get busy until 2 or 3 am, and people will happily stay out until 6 am.
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Alcohol is only sold in government-owned stores
Alcohol cannot be purchased in grocery stores in Iceland. Instead, beer, wine, and spirits are sold exclusively in outlets run by the State Alcohol and Tobacco Company of Iceland, referred to by locals as "Ríkið" (The State). These government-owned stores are called Vínbúðin (The Wine Shop) and there are around 51 of them across the country.
Vínbúðin stores are typically open from 11 am to 6 pm, Monday to Saturday, though some have extended their hours until 8 pm. However, in the countryside, some stores only open for two hours a day, from 4 pm to 6 pm. Regardless of their location, all Vínbúðin stores remain closed on Sundays. The selection of alcohol varies between stores, with some offering a wide variety of spirits, while others have a broader selection of Icelandic craft beers.
In addition to the government-owned stores, alcohol can also be purchased directly from brewers and some spa centres. However, the prices at Vínbúðin are far lower than those at bars and restaurants, where a single beer may cost around $10-$15. Due to the high cost of alcohol in bars, many Icelanders choose to "pregame" or "predrink" at home before going out, usually starting their nights around midnight or later.
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Drinking laws are strict
Drinking laws in Iceland are indeed strict. The legal drinking age is 20, and you will need to provide photo ID to buy alcohol in shops, bars, or restaurants. Supermarkets and shops are not allowed to sell alcohol. The only place to buy alcohol is in government-owned stores called Vínbúðin, or directly from brewers. These state-run liquor stores are typically open from 11 am to 6 pm, Monday to Saturday, and are closed on Sundays.
Vínbúðin stores can be found in most towns and villages, and they stock a selection of beers, wines, and spirits. However, the range of products available varies between stores. Some have a wide variety of spirits, while others have a broader selection of craft beers. The opening hours also depend on the size of the town. In the countryside, some stores only open for two hours a day, from 4 pm to 6 pm. In Reykjavík, stores tend to have longer opening hours, from 10 am to 8 pm.
The strict drinking laws in Iceland also apply to driving. The rules around drink-driving are stringent, and the legal limit is very low. You cannot have more than 0.02% alcohol in your blood, which is four times lower than in many US states or England. The minimum fine for drink-driving is around $550.
The high taxes on alcohol in Iceland also contribute to the strict drinking laws. Alcohol is heavily taxed, which makes prices very high. A bottle of spirits can cost more than twice as much as in the US. Due to these high prices, many people in Iceland choose to ""predrink" or "pregame" before going out. This involves drinking at home with friends before heading to bars or clubs, which often don't get busy until the early hours of the morning.
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You can buy beer at the airport
If you're planning a trip to Iceland and want to buy beer, there are a few things you should know. Firstly, Iceland has strict rules regarding alcohol sales, and beer cannot be purchased in grocery stores. The only places to buy beer are government-owned stores called Vínbúðin, directly from brewers, or at the airport.
Vínbúðin, also known as "The Wine Shop" or "The State", are the only outlets legally allowed to sell beer, wine, and hard liquor in Iceland. These stores are typically open from 11 am to 6 pm, Monday to Saturday, and are closed on Sundays. There are around 51 Vínbúðin stores across Iceland, with 37 in the countryside and 17 in the capital area. However, the opening hours outside of Reykjavik can be much shorter, with some stores only open for two hours a day.
Due to the limited opening hours and the high prices of alcohol in Iceland, many people choose to stock up on alcohol at the airport. The duty-free store at Keflavik Airport offers a significantly lower price on alcohol than other liquor stores in the country. For example, a six-pack of beer at the airport's duty-free store can cost around 9€, compared to 12-15€ for a single beer at a bar or restaurant in Iceland.
When buying alcohol at the airport, it's important to be mindful of the duty-free allowance, which is currently six units per person. This could include a 6-pack of 0.33l beer, along with other alcoholic beverages, like wine or spirits.
In addition to the high prices of alcohol in Iceland, it's worth noting that the drinking age is 20, so make sure to have your ID with you if you plan to purchase alcohol.
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Bars are expensive
If you're looking to enjoy a beer or two while holidaying in Iceland, you might want to consider your options for where to get your drink. While you'll have no problem locating a local bar in downtown Reykjavik, be warned that alcohol in bars and restaurants is very expensive. The average price for a beer at a bar or restaurant is around $10–$15, depending on the brand, and the cheapest bottle of wine at a restaurant usually starts from around $50.
The high prices are due to the very high taxes on alcoholic beverages. In fact, more than 80% of the price of a bottle of vodka is just tax! Because of this, Iceland is known even among its Scandinavian neighbours for its high alcohol duties.
If you don't want to spend all your money on drinks, it's a good idea to buy your alcohol elsewhere. The government-owned alcohol stores, Vínbúðin, are one option. Here, a can or bottle of beer will cost between 300–600 ISK, which is far lower than the price of a beer at a bar. However, Vínbúðin stores have limited opening hours, and in the countryside, some stores only open between 4 pm and 6 pm. Every store is closed on Sundays.
Another option is to buy duty-free at the airport, where you can get alcohol at a significantly lower price than in other liquor stores around Iceland. For example, a six-pack of 0.33-litre beers can be purchased for around $6–$9.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can buy beer in Iceland. However, there are strict rules about buying alcohol in the country. Beer can only be purchased in state-run liquor stores called Vínbúðin, directly from brewers, or at duty-free shops at the airport.
Vínbúðin stores are typically found in most major towns and villages across Iceland. In Reykjavik, the most accessible store is located on Austurstræti 10a.
The opening hours vary depending on the location. In Reykjavik, stores are typically open from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on weekdays, with some extending their hours until 8:00 p.m. In the countryside, some stores may only open between 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. All stores are closed on Sundays.
The average price for a beer at a bar or restaurant is around $10 to $15, depending on the brand. Beer is significantly cheaper at duty-free shops at the airport and Vínbúðin stores than at bars or restaurants.
