Reykjavik: Magic Ice Bar Entrance and Welcome Drink

Cold, strange, and surprisingly fun. Reykjavik’s Magic Ice Bar gives you a short, playful break from ordinary sightseeing, with more than 60 tons of carved ice, Viking scenes, and a welcome drink served in a real ice glass. I like the imaginative Viking theme and the way the friendly bar staff help turn the visit into a photo opportunity, especially guides such as Roman, Roma, Asteris, and Juliana, who have earned repeated praise for their good humor and help with phones.

I also like how easy it is to fit into a day in central Reykjavik. You receive a poncho and gloves at the door, then explore at your own pace with a signature drink in hand. The main caution is size: several people expected more rooms or a larger venue, so $34 can feel high if you judge the visit by its length alone. Think of it as a distinctive short activity, not a full evening out.

Key points to know before you go

• More than 60 tons of ice: International ice artists create the sculptures, Viking carvings, seating, decor, and drinking glasses.
• A drink you can hold, then watch disappear: Your included signature drink arrives in an actual glass made of ice.
• Below the Álafoss store: Enter the store first, then head downstairs to find the bar.
• Poncho and gloves are supplied: You still need warm clothing, since the room is intentionally very cold.
• Excellent photo help: Staff often take creative pictures using your phone, making this a strong choice for couples, families, and solo visitors.
• A small but flexible stop: It can break up a city day, work as a pre-dinner activity, or fill a chilly-weather afternoon.

Finding the bar below Álafoss

Magic Ice Bar is located below the Álafoss store in Reykjavik’s Capital Region. You enter through the store and go downstairs, so do not expect a prominent street-level entrance that looks like a separate attraction.

That location makes the bar simple to add to a day in the city. You can stop in during sightseeing, warm up afterward in a regular café, or pair the visit with dinner downtown. The activity is valid for one day, with starting times based on availability, so check the schedule that suits your plans.

The supplied information does not give a fixed visit length. In practice, the setup is built for a compact visit rather than a long guided tour. That is useful when your day is full, but it also explains why some people feel the price is a little steep. You are paying for the unusual setting, the artwork, the drink, and the staff attention, not hours of entertainment.

Getting dressed for an arctic room

Friendly staff greet you at the entrance and provide a complimentary poncho and gloves. These help, but you should still wear warm clothing. A number of people specifically point out how cold the room is, while also saying the extra layers make the visit manageable.

Bring a camera or phone. The room is designed for photographs, and the ice sculptures give you plenty of unusual backgrounds. Staff may help take pictures, and this is one of the most consistently praised parts of the visit. Roman, Roma, Asteris, and Juliana are among the staff members singled out for being helpful, cheerful, and good at creating photo moments.

The poncho and gloves are returned at the end. If you are sensitive to cold, wear layers rather than relying on the loaned gear alone. This is not a place to dress as if you are walking into a normal Reykjavik bar.

Inside the Viking ice gallery

Once you cross the entrance, the mood changes quickly. The walls and furnishings are made of ice, and the carvings tell stories connected with Norwegian Viking sailors who crossed the rough Atlantic and made new lives in Iceland.

The Viking theme gives the room more purpose than a simple frozen cocktail lounge. You are not only looking at decorative ice blocks. You are also following carved scenes linked to seafaring, myths, and the early story of Iceland. The artwork changes the visit from a quick drink into a small visual exhibition.

More than 60 tons of ice make up the gallery, with intricate sculptures created by international ice artists. The artwork includes Viking carvings and other ice sculptures, along with frozen seating and decorative features. You may find an ice throne, an ice hockey table, and other playful spots that invite you to stop and pose.

The craftsmanship is the main reason to come. In the low temperatures, the ice has a crisp, theatrical quality. Details catch the light, and the sculptures feel more impressive when you remember that the room itself is part of the display.

Still, keep your expectations realistic. The bar is smaller than some people imagine, and there is not a large series of rooms to explore. Several otherwise positive comments describe it as a small experience. I see that as a strength if you want a quick unusual stop, but a weakness if you are expecting a major attraction with a long route through galleries.

The included drink in an ice glass

Your admission includes one Magic Ice Bar signature drink. It is served in a glass made of ice, which is the detail that makes the drink feel special rather than ordinary.

The drink itself receives plenty of praise for its taste, and some people choose to pay for an extra drink after finishing the included one. Additional drinks are available for purchase, but they are not part of the $34 admission.

Holding an ice glass while surrounded by ice is a simple idea, yet it works. It gives you something to do as you look around and provides a clear beginning and end to the visit. The locally sourced beverage also fits the Icelandic setting.

You should not judge the value only by the amount of alcohol in the glass. The appeal is the presentation and the setting. If you want several drinks in a comfortable, warm bar, this is not the right place. If you want one memorable drink served in a frozen glass, it makes more sense.

The quality of the welcome drink can depend on the person preparing it, though the overall impression is strongly positive. Staff such as Roman have been praised for making good drinks and keeping the mood lively. One less enthusiastic account describes a bartender as distant, so the service may not be identical at every visit. Even so, warm and attentive staff are a major part of the attraction.

Why the staff matter so much

The sculptures could carry the visit on their own, but the staff help you get more from the room. They explain the basic setup, prepare the drink, and often take photographs with your phone.

That last service matters. The ice room is full of unusual chairs, sculptures, and frozen details, but taking a good picture of two people together can be awkward. A helpful bartender can frame the shot, suggest a pose, and make the whole stop feel more social.

Roman receives repeated praise for his enthusiasm and photography help. Roma is also singled out for friendly service, while Asteris is remembered as a welcoming bartender who made special photo opportunities part of the visit. Juliana is described as friendly and accommodating.

These details also explain why two people can pay the same price and leave with slightly different impressions. The room is fixed, but the human welcome shapes the experience. If the staff are engaged, the bar feels like a fun little event. If service is flat, the visit can feel more like a quick tourist stop.

What the $34 price really buys

At $34 per person, Magic Ice Bar is not a bargain attraction in the usual sense. You receive entry, one welcome drink, poncho, and gloves. You do not receive additional drinks, and the venue is not large.

The value improves if you care about the unusual setting. You are paying to step into a room made from more than 60 tons of ice, see carved Viking stories, sit on frozen furniture, and drink from an ice glass. That combination is hard to recreate during an ordinary Reykjavik day.

The price may feel less convincing if you mainly want a drink. Reykjavik has other places to enjoy a beverage without bundling up for an arctic room. Likewise, if you expect a long museum visit, the small size may disappoint.

I would compare it with the cost of a short, memorable activity rather than with the price of a bar drink. For a couple wanting photographs, a family looking for something different, or a solo visitor wanting an unusual break, the fee can be fair. If your budget is tight and you already have a packed itinerary, it is an easy activity to skip.

The best time to fit it into your day

Magic Ice Bar works well at several points in a Reykjavik itinerary. A midday visit can give you a change of pace from walking around the city. One person visited early with an 81-year-old father and still found the stop enjoyable, helped by the friendly staff and manageable format.

It can also work before dinner. The venue is close enough to pair with an evening in the downtown area, and the compact visit will not take over your schedule. You can enjoy the drink, take photographs, look through the sculptures, and continue on to a meal.

Winter has an obvious appeal because the Viking and arctic setting matches the season. Yet the bar operates as an indoor activity in any season. A summer visit still gives you the contrast of stepping into a deliberately frozen room. One person even liked the cool air as a break from the conditions outside.

Check available starting times before you plan around it. The booking is valid for one day, not an open-ended pass for repeated visits, and the schedule can affect where it fits in your route.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend Magic Ice Bar to you if you like unusual settings, playful photographs, and short activities that do not require a full day. Couples will find plenty of photo opportunities, but solo visitors can enjoy it too, especially with staff willing to take pictures.

Families may also like the ice throne, sculptures, and unusual furniture. The supplied information confirms that the venue is wheelchair accessible, which is useful if accessibility affects your planning.

It suits adults who enjoy a drink with a bit of theater. The venue is not presented as a serious museum or a detailed Viking history lesson. Its stories and carvings add atmosphere, while the main goal is to enjoy the room and the novelty of drinking in it.

You may want to skip it if you dislike cold rooms, want a large gallery, or feel $34 is too much for a short stop. The attraction is at its best when you value the memory and photographs as much as the drink.

Practical tips for a smoother visit

• Wear warm layers, even though a poncho and gloves are provided.
• Bring your camera or phone, and make room for photos in your schedule.
• Enter through the Álafoss store and go downstairs.
• Check available starting times before booking.
• Treat the included drink as part of the attraction, not simply as a bar purchase.
• Ask staff for help with photos. Their willingness to take pictures is one of the strongest features of the visit.
• If you are considering another drink, remember that extras cost more.
• Use the flexible cancellation option if your Iceland plans may change. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
• Reserve now and pay later if you want to hold a place without paying on the day of booking.

Should you book Reykjavik Magic Ice Bar?

Book it if you want a memorable, compact activity with real ice sculptures, a Viking theme, and a drink served in an ice glass. The friendly staff and photo help add real value, and the venue is easy to fit between city sights or before dinner.

Skip it if you expect a large complex, several rooms, or a long cultural tour. The bar is smaller than some people anticipate, and the $34 price asks you to pay for novelty and presentation.

For most people, I would call it a good one-time Reykjavik experience, especially if you enjoy unusual photographs and do not mind the cold. Go in expecting a short frozen gallery with a drink, not a major museum, and you are more likely to leave smiling.

FAQ

Where is Magic Ice Bar in Reykjavik?

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

What is included in the admission price?

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

Is the welcome drink served in a real ice glass?

Yes. The included Magic Ice Bar signature drink is served in a glass made of ice.

Are extra drinks included?

No. Additional drinks are available to purchase separately.

How cold is Magic Ice Bar?

The room is intentionally very cold. Warm clothing is recommended, and the venue provides a poncho and gloves.

What should I bring?

Bring warm clothing and a camera. A phone is also useful for taking photographs among the ice sculptures.

Is the venue wheelchair accessible?

Yes. Magic Ice Bar is listed as wheelchair accessible.

Can I cancel my booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later to keep your plans flexible.