Eat and Drink | Iceland Monitor | Thu 5 Apr 2018 | 16.00 GMT

Best places for a cocktail in Reykjavik

Cocktail hour doesn't get more glamorous than at Út í bláinn, the restaurant beneath the glass dome at The Pearl. Photo/ Laufey Jónsdóttir

Fancy going out to somewhere a bit more special, away from the cheery, beery happy hours around town? Here are a few venues that combine a magical atmosphere with a great cocktail menu.

Út í bláinn

This is a new, bright and airy restaurant in The Pearl, a famous landmark in Reykjavik on top of the hot water tanks that supply the city with geothermal heat. They serve wonderful brunches, lunches and dinner beneath a magnificent glass dome with stunning 360 degree view of the city. They also have a fantastic bar and pride themselves in great cocktails. At 9 pm every night the dome actually starts spinning, and serve cocktails at happy hour prices.

Út í bláinn, 6th floor of The Pearl, 105 Reykjavik.

Slippbarinn

This trendy, spacious bar is situated at the Marina Hotel overlooking Reykjavik harbour. The interiors are colourful and airy and it's a popular spot for yuppies, media and obviously, hotel guests. After cocktails we thoroughly recommend a walk around the charming harbour area.

Slippbarinn, Mýrargata 2, 101 Reykjavik

Kolabrautin bar at Harpa

Undoubtedly the most beautiful bar in Reykjavik, located on the fourth floor of the astounding Harpa concert hall and conference centre. The bar offers a wonderfully relaxed and sophisticated atmosphere for pre-concert drinks or simply just to enjoy the fabulous surroundings.

Harpa concert hall and Conference Centre, Austurbakki 2, 101 Reykjavik

Hverfisgata 12

This super hip venue, also known as the pizza place with no name offers moody Lynch-esque interiors. It's a refurbished home so guests can scatter around various small rooms for intimate dining. The small central bar serves some of the most original, and best cocktails in town, with an old-world flair. An added bonus is that now some of Iceland's finest DJ's spin atmospheric music on weekends.

Hverfisgata 12, 101 Reykjavik.

Petersen suite at Gamla bíó

Gamla bíó as the name suggests means "the old cinema," which was the first role of this beautiful building which later became the Icelandic Opera. It has been recently transformed into an extremely cool concert venue and features a top floor bar with fantastic views and an outdoor terrace (a godsend for smokers). If you're on the lookout for a glamorous night, this is your best bet.

Ingólfsstræti 2a, 101 Reykjavik.

Loftið

A bar popular with yuppies between the age of 30- 50, Loftið is a beautiful bar with high ceilings and decor that is reminiscent of Parisian cafés. There's even a dresscode at the door, so we'd recommend your smarter attire. The cocktail menu is extensive and excellent but pretty pricy. Some of the city's most popular DJ's play on weekends, turning the venue into more of a club.

Austurstræti 9, 101 Reykjavik.