Reykjavik: Magic Ice Bar Entrance and Welcome Drink

Ice, Vikings, and a drink in a frozen glass. Reykjavik’s Magic Ice Bar turns a simple drink stop into a playful art visit, with more than 60 tons of ice carved into Viking scenes and sculptures. I like the included signature drink and the chance to take unusual photos inside a room made almost entirely of ice. The main drawback is size: several people found the bar smaller than expected for the $34 admission.

The welcome is friendly and hands-on. You receive a poncho and gloves before entering, and staff members often help with photos, drinks, and the best spots for a picture. Roman, Juliana, and Asteris were each singled out for warm service, while one less cheerful bartender shows that the quality of the personal welcome can vary.

This is best treated as a distinctive add-on to a day in Reykjavik, not a major half-day attraction. You can stop in before dinner, after sightseeing, or during a break from the cold. If you enjoy unusual settings, Viking-themed ice art, and a bit of good-natured silliness, the admission can be worthwhile. If you expect a large complex with several rooms, you may feel the price is high.

Five things to know before you go

• The entire gallery is kept cold: Ponchos and gloves are supplied, but wear warm layers underneath.
• Your first drink comes in an ice glass: The welcome drink is included, and extra drinks can be purchased.
• The Viking carvings tell a story: Ice walls depict Norwegian sailors, myths, and the Atlantic journey toward Iceland.
• The venue is below the Álafoss store: Enter the shop first, then go downstairs to reach the bar.
• Photo help is part of the fun: Staff members often take creative pictures with your phone, so bring a camera or charged smartphone.
• The experience is compact: It works well as a mid-day pause or evening stop, though the small size may disappoint some visitors.

Finding the entrance below Álafoss

The Magic Ice Bar is located below the Álafoss store in Reykjavik. You enter through the shop and head downstairs, so do not expect a separate street-level ice palace entrance.

That detail matters on a busy sightseeing day. The bar is easy to add to your city plans, but you need to allow a little time to find the shop and make your way down. The meeting point is not a transport pickup point, and transportation is not listed as part of the admission. You make your own way there.

English is the stated language for the host or greeter. The venue is wheelchair accessible, which is useful for visitors who need step-free access. If you have specific mobility needs, it is still sensible to confirm the current route when booking, since the entrance passes through the store and downstairs area.

Getting dressed for a room made of ice

At the entrance, staff give you a poncho and gloves. These are returned at the end, and they make the first few minutes much easier. Still, do not arrive in light indoor clothing and expect the outer layer to do all the work.

Bring warm clothing, as the activity instructions recommend. A sweater, long trousers, and covered shoes are sensible choices. The supplied gloves are especially useful when you lean against an ice surface or hold the cold glass.

The temperature is part of the entertainment. One person described it as freezing but manageable with the jacket-style layer and gloves. Another found the bar a welcome warm-feeling stop during winter sightseeing, which tells you something about Icelandic weather: after time outdoors, a controlled cold room can feel less dramatic than you expect.

The room is cold enough to shape your visit. You will probably spend more time looking, photographing, and enjoying the drink than sitting for a long stretch. Bring your camera or phone, but keep it protected from damp hands and cold conditions. Staff are often happy to take pictures for you, which is helpful when the best shots require both hands.

Viking stories carved into the walls

The central idea is not simply that the bar is cold. Its ice carvings connect the room to Icelandic Viking history, with scenes based on Norwegian sailors who crossed the rough Atlantic and began new lives in Iceland.

That theme gives the room more purpose than a collection of random frozen decorations. As you move through the gallery, look for the carved figures and story scenes in the walls. The artwork turns the visit into a small visual introduction to the seafaring myths and migration stories tied to Iceland.

More than 60 tons of ice are used in the gallery, and the sculptures are made by international ice artists. The amount of material sounds enormous, but do not picture a giant museum. The bar has been described as smaller than expected, with some people hoping for more rooms. The better way to judge it is as a compact gallery with a strong central idea.

The craftsmanship is the reason to come. Ice catches light differently from stone or wood, and the cold setting makes every carved edge feel temporary. The sculptures are not just background decoration for a drink. They are the main attraction, while the bar and welcome beverage give you a reason to linger.

The signature drink in an actual ice glass

One welcome drink is included with admission. It is served in a glass made of ice, which is the detail most likely to make this feel different from an ordinary bar visit.

The drink itself has received plenty of praise, with descriptions ranging from lovely to delicious. The exact beverage can vary, so you should not book this expecting one fixed cocktail recipe. What you can count on is the presentation: a locally sourced signature drink served in a frozen vessel.

The ice glass is not just a photo prop. Holding it reinforces the theme, and the drink becomes part of the setting rather than a separate refreshment. You may need to drink it at a comfortable pace, since a glass made of ice is naturally not the most permanent piece of barware.

Extra drinks are available for purchase if you want to stay longer or try more than the included serving. That can improve the value for people who enjoy the bar atmosphere, but it also raises the final cost. At $34 per person before extras, I would think of the included drink as part of the admission rather than a reason to order several more.

A few people paid a small upgrade fee for another drink and felt it was worthwhile. That decision depends on your priorities. If you want the full social bar experience, an extra serving may make sense. If your main goal is seeing the sculptures, the included drink is likely enough.

The staff make a small venue feel lively

The personal service is one of the strongest parts of this activity. Staff are frequently praised for being friendly, funny, attentive, and willing to help with photos.

Roman receives special credit for taking pictures and making the visit fun. Juliana is remembered for being kind and accommodating, while Asteris was praised for welcoming service, drinks, and helping with photo opportunities. Those details matter because the room itself is compact. A warm host can turn a quick look around into a more memorable stop.

You may be asked to pose beside an ice throne, sculpture, or another carved feature. One person enjoyed sitting on an ice throne, while several others appreciated the staff’s creative phone photography. This is a good place to hand over your phone for a moment if you want a picture that includes your whole group.

Service is not guaranteed to feel identical every time. One person found the bartender distant and unhelpful, while the larger pattern of comments describes upbeat staff. I would set your expectations sensibly: the hosts often add a lot to the visit, but the quality of the interaction can depend on who is working.

The music and atmosphere also help. The room is not only a quiet art display. It can feel playful, with drinks, photo poses, sculptures, and a social bar mood. That makes it a good choice for couples, friends, families, and solo visitors who do not mind asking someone to take a picture.

How the visit fits into a Reykjavik day

The booking is valid for one day, with starting times based on availability. The exact length of a visit is not provided, so I would not plan a tight connection immediately afterward. Still, the experience is generally described as a small stop, a mid-day break, or an evening activity before dinner.

That makes the timing flexible. You might visit after walking around central Reykjavik, then continue to a restaurant. One person specifically enjoyed doing the ice bar and then heading downtown for dinner. It can also break up a day of museums and city streets with something tactile and lighthearted.

The activity suits winter especially well, since the Viking theme and frozen setting match the season. Summer visitors can enjoy it too, and the air-conditioned cold offers a sharp change from a warmer day. The attraction is open as an indoor experience, so it gives you a dependable plan when outdoor weather is unpleasant.

Do not mistake the phrase valid one day for a full-day tour. It refers to the booking validity, not a daylong itinerary. You are buying entry to the bar and gallery, plus the included drink.

Is $34 good value?

At $34 per person, this is not a cheap drink. You are paying for the ice construction, carved artwork, themed setting, warm layers at the entrance, staff service, and one signature beverage.

I think the price works best for people who place a high value on unusual experiences and photos. The ice glass alone would not justify the admission for me, but the combination of more than 60 tons of ice, Viking carvings, sculptures, and a welcome drink creates a clear reason to visit.

The value is less convincing if you expect a large venue or a long visit. Several people enjoyed the experience but still felt it was pricey or smaller than expected. That is the key tradeoff. You are paying for a memorable concept, not a full evening of entertainment.

The best comparison is not with a normal bar. Compare it with a short cultural attraction or themed gallery. If you already plan to spend time in central Reykjavik, the bar can add a distinctive hour or so to your day. If your budget is tight and you have many paid attractions planned, this is one to choose for its novelty rather than its practical sightseeing value.

Who will enjoy the Magic Ice Bar most?

I would recommend it to:

• Couples who want unusual holiday photos
• Friends looking for a playful evening stop
• Families with older children who enjoy sculptures and Viking stories
• Solo visitors who are comfortable taking self-portraits or asking staff for help
• Anyone who has already covered Reykjavik’s main streets and wants a change of pace
• Visitors who enjoy themed drinks and unusual interiors

It may suit you less if you dislike cold rooms, do not drink, or prefer large museums with lots of exhibits. The drink is included even if you choose not to consume alcohol, but the experience is built around the bar setting. You should also be realistic about space. The room is impressive in detail, not in size.

The venue is wheelchair accessible, and the English-speaking staff make the visit easy to follow. Bring warm clothing and a camera, then let the sculptures do most of the work.

Booking flexibility and practical details

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately, which is useful when Iceland weather or your daily plans may change.

Check availability for the start times that suit you. Since the bar is easy to combine with city sightseeing, booking a slot around lunch, late afternoon, or before dinner can help you avoid an awkward gap in your day.

The package includes entry, one welcome drink, a poncho, and gloves. Extra drinks cost more. No additional transport, meal, or broader Reykjavik sightseeing is listed as part of the experience, so plan it as a standalone visit.

Should you book the Reykjavik Magic Ice Bar?

Book it if you want something unusual, photo-friendly, and easy to fit into a city day. The ice glass, Viking carvings, and helpful photo-taking staff give this small venue real personality.

Skip it if $34 feels too high for a compact attraction or if you expect several large rooms. My practical advice is to book when you have already planned your main Reykjavik sights and still want one memorable novelty stop. Wear layers, bring your phone or camera, and judge the value by the experience of being inside a working ice gallery, not by the number of rooms.

FAQ

Where is the Magic Ice Bar in Reykjavik?

The bar is located below the Álafoss store. Enter through the store and head downstairs.

What is included with admission?

Admission includes entry to the Magic Ice Bar, one welcome drink, a poncho, and gloves.

Is the welcome drink served in an ice glass?

Yes. The signature welcome drink is served in a glass made of ice.

Can I buy additional drinks?

Yes. Additional drinks are available to purchase at the bar.

What should I bring?

Bring warm clothing and a camera. The room is very cold, even though a poncho and gloves are provided.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option is also available, subject to the booking conditions.