Beer Buying In Iceland: Late-Night Restrictions And Rules

Iceland has strict rules and limited purchasing options for alcohol. Alcohol is not sold in grocery stores and can only be purchased at state-run liquor stores called Vínbúðin or directly from brewers. These stores are typically open from 11 am to 6 pm, Monday through Saturday, and are closed on Sundays. With high taxes on alcoholic beverages, alcohol in Iceland is infamously expensive, and a beer at a bar or restaurant can cost around $10-$15.

Buying beer at the airport

If you're looking to buy beer at the airport in Iceland, you'll be pleased to know that it's possible to do so duty-free. At Keflavik Airport, you can purchase liquor at a reduced price in the duty-free shop. It's worth noting that there is a limit of six units of alcohol per person. This could be, for example, a 6-pack of 0.33L beers, or a combination of 1 litre of red wine and 1 litre of gin.

Buying alcohol at the airport is a good way to save money, as alcohol in Iceland is generally considered expensive compared to other countries. A beer at a bar or restaurant will typically cost around $12-15, and a bottle of wine is around $50.

If you don't want to purchase alcohol at the airport, there are a few other options. Firstly, you can buy alcohol at a local bar or restaurant in Iceland, although this will be costly. Secondly, you can visit a local liquor store. According to Icelandic law, supermarkets and shops cannot sell alcohol. Instead, the government operates specific liquor stores called Vínbúðin, which are located across the country. These stores are usually open between 11:00 and 18:00, Monday to Saturday, and are closed on Sundays.

It's important to note that the legal drinking age in Iceland is 20 years old, and proof of age with photo ID is required to purchase alcohol.

Buying beer in bars and restaurants

In Iceland, alcohol is heavily taxed, and the sale is highly regulated. The only place to buy alcohol outside of bars and restaurants is the government-owned liquor store chain, Vínbúðin. These stores are typically open from 11 am to 6 pm, Monday to Saturday, and are closed on Sundays. The stores are located in most towns and large villages, with shorter opening hours outside of the capital, Reykjavik.

When it comes to buying beer in bars and restaurants, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, the legal drinking age in Iceland is 20, so you will need to provide proof of age with a photo ID. Secondly, alcohol is expensive in Iceland due to the high taxes, with an average beer costing around $10-15 in most bars and restaurants. If you are looking to save money, it is advisable to take advantage of happy hour deals or to buy alcohol at the airport duty-free upon arrival, as prices in bars and restaurants can be very high.

The nightlife in Reykjavik is renowned, with bars, pubs, and clubs open until 5 or 6 am on weekends. It is common for locals to "predrink" at home before heading out to clubs in the early hours of the morning, often not arriving until 1 or 2 am. During the week, people tend to go home earlier, usually around 1 am.

When visiting bars and restaurants in Iceland, it is important to note that you cannot purchase alcohol to take away. Alcohol purchased on the premises must be consumed on-site. Additionally, some bars have specific age restrictions, with some venues having a minimum age of 25. It is also important to be mindful of the strict drink-driving rules in Iceland, with a minimum blood alcohol limit of 0.02%.

Buying beer in Vinbudin stores

In Iceland, beer can only be purchased from state-run liquor stores called Vinbudin or directly from brewers. These stores are typically open from 11 am to 6 pm, with extended hours until 7 pm on Fridays. However, it's important to note that they remain closed on Sundays. The opening hours may vary slightly depending on the location, with stores in larger cities or towns having longer operating hours than those in smaller towns.

The prices for beer at Vinbudin stores range from 300 to 600 ISK (approximately 2.5 to 5 USD) per 330 ml. The selection of beers available will depend on the size of the store, with larger stores offering a greater variety. The Vinbudin stores in Reykjavik, for instance, will have a wider range of beers compared to those in villages outside the capital.

When purchasing beer or any other alcoholic beverage in Iceland, it's important to keep in mind that the country has strict rules and heavy taxes, resulting in relatively high prices. The legal drinking age in Iceland is 20 years old, and a valid photo ID, such as a driver's license or passport, is required to purchase alcohol.

If you're looking to save money on alcohol, it's advisable to buy duty-free at the airport when arriving in Iceland. The prices at the duty-free shops are significantly lower than those at Vinbudin stores. However, there are limits on how much alcohol each person can purchase duty-free, and it's important to be mindful of those restrictions.

Buying non-alcoholic beer

In Iceland, alcoholic drinks are not sold in grocery stores or supermarkets. Instead, the government operates specific liquor stores called Vínbúðin, where alcohol is sold. These stores are typically open from 11 am to 6 pm, Monday to Saturday, and are closed on Sundays. However, this does not apply to non-alcoholic beer.

Non-alcoholic beer can be purchased at supermarkets and grocery stores in Iceland. Some of the non-alcoholic beer brands available in Iceland include Brío Nr 75, Helga Nr 96, Egil's Pilsner, and Gull NA. These beers can be found at supermarket chains such as Bónus and Krónan. Additionally, some pubs and bars outside the capital area also serve non-alcoholic beers.

It is worth noting that some beers in supermarkets might have a low alcohol content of around 2.5% ABV, so it is important to check the labels if you are looking for completely non-alcoholic options.

If you are travelling to Iceland and want to purchase non-alcoholic beer, it is recommended to buy it at the airport duty-free shops, as it tends to be cheaper there.

Drinking laws in Iceland

Iceland has a complicated relationship with alcohol. In the early 20th century, it was one of the only Western nations to institute total prohibition. While prohibition ended in 1989, Iceland's drinking laws remain strict compared to other countries.

Prohibition in Iceland

Iceland's prohibition on alcohol began on 1 January 1915, after Icelanders voted in a 1908 referendum to outlaw all alcoholic drinks. Wine was legalised in 1919 following a trade dispute with Spain, and spirits were legalised in 1935. However, beer remained banned until 1 March 1989.

During the prohibition era, alcohol was widely smuggled into the country, and home-brewing was common. Doctors also prescribed alcohol as medicine for various ailments. Despite the ban, alcohol flowed freely in Iceland, with one historian noting that "alcohol was flowing in from all directions".

Beer Ban

Beer was banned in Iceland for political reasons. At the time, Iceland was fighting for independence from Denmark, and Icelanders strongly associated beer with Danish lifestyles. As historian Stefan Palsson notes, "beer was not the patriotic drink of choice".

Even after prohibition ended in 1989, beer remained difficult to access. It could only be purchased at the duty-free shop at Keflavik airport or by those with special connections. "If you knew a fisherman, he may have had a few cases stashed in his garage," Palsson says. It wasn't until 1988 that Iceland's parliament voted to fully legalise beer.

Drinking Laws Today

Today, alcoholic beverages (except for low-alcohol "near beer") can only be purchased at state-run liquor stores called Vínbúðin. There are only 49 of these stores in the entire country, and they typically have limited selections and irregular hours. Alcohol is also taxed based on its percentage of alcohol content, making liquor expensive.

The legal drinking age in Iceland is 20 years old. Proof of age with a photo ID is required to purchase alcohol.

Frequently asked questions