Language/Icelandic/Culture/Dress-Code-and-Age-Limit-for-Partying
Most places don’t have a dress code, but you need to be over 20 years old to gain entry. 20 is the legal drinking limit in Iceland.
If you look younger than 20, then you'll be asked for ID. Be sure to bring an ID with you that shows your birth date and a photograph (e.g., a Passport or Driver's License).
Since there is no dress code, it doesn't matter what you wear, although people tend to dress up for a night out.
In the wintertime, warmth is more important than fashion. Remember to bring plenty of warm layers with you, including a jacket, gloves, and a hat.
As for safety, the capital is an incredibly warm and friendly city. Just like anywhere that sells alcohol, there will always be an element of debaucherous behavior.
Any threatening or aggressive behavior is usually quickly dealt with by Iceland’s police, who will often fine the culprits heavily.
Most people, however, are harmless and welcoming, and you should feel perfectly safe out on the streets of Reykjavík, even late at night on your lonesome.
From Sundays to Thursdays, all the bars will close at 01:00. At the very least, that’s when the bars stop serving drinks. Chances are, most Reykjavik clubs won't kick you out until close to 02:00.
Recently, both Thursday and Sunday nights have become known as ‘little Saturdays,’ with more people frequenting the bars. This increase has massively helped to fuel Iceland's reputation as a place that enjoys partying.
But, as in most countries, it’s Friday and Saturday when the nightlife really kicks in.
Although most of the bars are open from the early afternoon, they won't be getting anywhere near busy until after midnight, or around 02:00.
Most of these bars close around 05:00. Although, if you're lucky, you might find an after-party going on until much later than that. It’s best to wait for an invitation, though; no one likes a gate-crasher.
Consider exploring these related pages after completing this lesson: People, Dialects & Djammið How to Party in Reykjavík.
Sources[edit | edit source]
Book: Learn to Speak Icelandic: without even trying, Stephen Hernandez
Other Lessons[edit | edit source]
- Djammið How to Party in Reykjavík
- Names
- Literature and Arts
- Iceland Timeline
- People
- Religion
- Geography
- Economy
- Government
- The best nightlife spots in Reykjavík
- Dialects
- History
- Climate