If you are looking for the colourful epicentre of queer life in Reykjavík, look no further than Kíkí Queer Bar. Located at Laugavegur 22 – the city’s most famous shopping street – this venue is impossible to miss thanks to its iconic rainbow-painted exterior. For years, this spot has been a sanctuary and a celebration for the LGBTQ+ community and its allies.
Kíkí is renowned for its high-energy atmosphere and "no-pretence" attitude. Whether you are a local or just visiting the northernmost capital in the world, the bar offers a welcoming space across two floors. The music policy is unashamedly pop: expect to hear everything from Eurovision classics and Lady Gaga to timeless disco anthems that keep the dance floor packed until the early hours.
The bar’s weekly schedule is a highlight of the Icelandic queer scene. Thursdays are famously dedicated to karaoke, where the brave and the fabulous take to the stage. Fridays and Saturdays are the main club nights, often featuring spectacular drag performances by local legends and sets from top DJs. While the party really kicks off after midnight, arriving early is recommended if you want to snag a spot before the venue reaches capacity. Friendly, inclusive, and always vibrant, Kíkí Queer Bar is the definitive place to experience the joy of Icelandic queer culture.
Address:
Kiki queer bar
Laugavegur 22
101 Reykjavik
Iceland
Email:
kiki@kiki.is
Website:
https://www.kiki.is
I went to the drag show. My face hurt from laughing. It was a really friendly host and crowd. I went alone and had a great time. I was so happy to find this place!
Had a great Saturday night here on my recent weekend in Reykjavik. They had 5 queens from House of Heart Drag. Cover was 2900 and drinks around 2500-3300 but worth it.
Average bar, bare minimum, good to socialize
We were really looking forward to visiting Kiki Bar during our trip to Reykjavík, but were turned away at the door because it was “girls night only.” This came as a surprise — especially for a queer space that’s normally known for being welcoming and inclusive.
It felt disappointing to be excluded solely based on gender. Unless the bar is privately rented out for an event, turning away guests because they’re men seems out of line with Iceland’s own gender-equality laws. A “girls-night only” admission policy at a public nightclub is very likely considered unlawful gender discrimination here. And as visitors, it definitely wasn’t a great feeling.
Imagine if a gym, café, or any other public space held gender-only nights — it wouldn’t be acceptable, and it wouldn’t be legal. It just didn’t align with what we expected from a queer venue that’s supposed to be inclusive for everyone.
I hope Kiki reconsiders this approach. Reykjavík has such a warm and welcoming LGBTQ+ scene, and it would be great to see that same spirit reflected in the door policy.
I wanted to love this place. It was mediocre at best. Cons: there is terrible ventilation so it gets hot & steamy quick on a busy night. If people are smoking downstairs outside, you bet you’re going to smell it. Bathrooms were way too dark, you could barely see anything and they smell. Lastly, the space is small so they run out of seats fast on drag nights. I can appreciate what it’s supposed to represent, a safe space for the queers—but it needs work.
