Reykjavik: Magic Ice Bar Entrance and Welcome Drink

Reykjavik’s Magic Ice Bar turns a simple drink into a short Arctic adventure. Below the Álafoss store, you’ll enter a chilly gallery packed with Viking carvings, ice furniture, and more than 60 tons of sculpted ice. Your welcome drink arrives in a real ice glass, which is the sort of small detail that makes the visit memorable.

I like the Viking stories carved into the walls, and I like the friendly staff who often help with creative phone photos. The main caution is size: the bar is smaller than some people expect, and $34 can feel high if you are looking only for a drink.

Key details before you book

• More than 60 tons of ice: International ice artists create the sculptures, furniture, carvings, and bar setting.
• A Viking-themed gallery: The artwork follows stories and myths linked to Norwegian sailors who crossed the Atlantic to begin new lives in Iceland.
• One drink included: Your signature drink comes in a glass made of ice, with extra drinks available to buy.
• Warm gear supplied: You receive a poncho and gloves, but warm clothing remains important.
• Below the Álafoss store: Enter the store, then head downstairs to find the bar.
• Good for a short city break: It fits neatly between sightseeing, shopping, and dinner in central Reykjavik.

Entering the ice room below Álafoss

Finding the venue is simple once you know the trick. The Magic Ice Bar is below the Álafoss store, so walk into the store and head downstairs. It is not presented as a separate street-level building, which can cause a little head scratching if you are looking for a large bar entrance.

Staff greet you before you enter the cold room. You receive a poncho and gloves, then cross into an interior kept cold enough to protect the sculptures. You should still wear warm clothes, especially layers, because the supplied gear helps but does not turn the room into a comfortable indoor temperature.

The cold is part of the point. You feel it immediately, and that gives the experience a playful edge rather than making it feel like an ordinary bar with ice decorations. Some people enjoy the contrast with Reykjavik’s weather, while others may find the chill limits how long they want to stay.

The attraction is wheelchair accessible, which is useful to know when planning a city day. English is the operating language, and an English-speaking host or greeter is provided.

Viking carvings tell the main story

The ice art is not just scattered decoration. The walls carry carvings linked to Viking sailors, their Atlantic journeys, and the myths tied to Iceland’s early story. You can pause in front of each piece, look for details, and use the setting for photographs.

I like this theme because it gives the room a clear identity. You are not simply looking at frozen blocks under colored lights. The carvings connect the experience to Iceland, even though the artwork is made by international ice artists rather than being an archaeological display.

Keep your expectations realistic. The venue is a single ice gallery and bar, not a large museum with several rooms. Some visitors expect more space, more sculptures, or a longer visit. The strongest reason to book is the unusual setting and the chance to interact with it, not a full afternoon of cultural sightseeing.

The sculptures change the feel of the room. You might find carved figures, seats, decorative pieces, and a throne-like chair that makes an excellent photo spot. One visitor specifically enjoyed sitting on an ice throne, and the room also includes an ice hockey table. These details make the stop more playful for families and groups.

The welcome drink comes in an ice glass

The included drink is the central practical feature. You receive one Magic Ice Bar signature drink, served in a glass made of ice. You can sip it while walking around the artwork, though you will probably want to take a photo first.

The presentation is more memorable than a standard cocktail in a regular glass. The cold glass reinforces the theme, and the drink gives you something to do while you inspect the carvings. Several drinks are available for purchase if you want to stay longer or try an extra option.

The menu details are not specified, so do not book this as a tasting experience with a long list of Icelandic beverages. Think of the drink as part of the admission package. Some people find the included cocktail tasty and well made, while others feel the overall price is high for one drink and a compact gallery.

That makes the value depend on your priorities. If you enjoy unusual settings, photo opportunities, and one-off attractions, $34 is easier to justify. If you want a generous night out with several drinks, seating, and lots of space, you may come away less satisfied.

Friendly hosts can shape the whole visit

The staff receive the strongest praise attached to this experience. Hosts and bartenders often do more than hand over the drink. They help with photos, suggest poses, explain the setting, and keep the mood light.

Names mentioned in recent feedback include Roman, Roma, Juliana, Kris, and Asteris. Staff members can change, so you should not book on the promise of meeting one particular person. Still, the pattern is useful: the human welcome often makes the short visit feel more personal.

Photo help is especially valuable because the room is built for pictures, yet cold hands and dim conditions can make phone photography awkward. A staff member can frame a shot, include the ice bar in the background, and help a couple, family, or solo visitor get a better image than a quick selfie.

I would ask politely if you want a photo, then have your phone ready. The supplied information does not promise professional photography, edited images, or a dedicated photo session. The help is informal, but it can turn the stop from a quick look into a more engaging experience.

One piece of feedback describes a bartender as less warm and less responsive than expected. That is worth noting because service can vary from one shift to another. Most of the available comments praise the staff, but no attraction delivers the same mood every time.

How long the visit feels

The booking is valid for one day, and you select an available starting time. The supplied details do not give a fixed number of minutes, so you should treat this as a compact activity rather than a scheduled full-day tour.

That makes it easy to place into a Reykjavik plan. You can stop in before dinner, use it as a break from city walking, or visit during a gap in your schedule. One practical arrangement is to combine it with an evening meal downtown. The bar provides a change of pace, but it is not intended to replace a full city tour.

Going earlier may give you a quieter setting. A visitor who went early with an 81-year-old father found the experience manageable and enjoyable, although the attraction was not busy at that time. A quieter visit may make it easier to inspect the sculptures and take photographs without waiting for space.

The venue can also suit a solo visit. The playful setting might feel especially geared toward couples, but solo visitors can still enjoy the drink, carvings, and photo help. You do not need to arrive with a large group to make the stop worthwhile.

Warm clothing matters, even with a poncho

Bring warm clothing and a camera. Layers are the best approach, since you can adjust them before entering and after leaving. Gloves are supplied, but your own warm clothes still matter, especially if you are sensitive to cold.

The poncho is useful for blocking some chill, and the gloves make it easier to handle your drink and phone. The room remains cold by design. Do not assume the supplied clothing means you can arrive in light indoor clothes.

Your camera or phone is worth bringing because the ice glass and sculptures are the main souvenirs. Keep your phone accessible enough to use, but protect it from being dropped on the ice. The venue’s staff may help with photos, though that is a friendly service rather than a formal part of the package.

The cold also affects comfort for older people and anyone who dislikes low temperatures. The attraction is wheelchair accessible, but personal comfort can still vary. If cold rooms are a problem for you, this may be better as a brief stop than a relaxed drink lasting a long time.

Is $34 a fair price in Reykjavik?

At $34 per person, the cost is not cheap for a single included drink. Reykjavik is an expensive city, but price alone does not make this a good deal. You are paying for the frozen setting, the artwork, the protective clothing, the themed design, and the novelty of drinking from ice.

I see it as fair value for a special occasion or a first visit to Reykjavik when you want something different. The drink is pleasant, the sculptures provide a proper visual focus, and the photo opportunities add value for couples and families.

The calculation changes if you are mainly interested in the cocktail. You can find drinks elsewhere in the city, and the bar is smaller than some people expect. If you want a large lounge, several rooms, or a long evening, the admission may feel expensive.

You can improve the value by treating it as one part of a city evening. Have the ice drink, take photographs, examine the carvings, then continue to dinner or another central attraction. That way, the visit works as a memorable stop rather than a complete night out.

The high satisfaction level attached to the experience suggests that the concept works for many people, but the comments also show a clear split on price and size. That is exactly the kind of attraction where your expectations matter more than the admission fee alone.

Who will enjoy Magic Ice Bar most?

I would recommend it most strongly to:

• Couples who want unusual holiday photos
• Families with older children who enjoy hands-on, themed settings
• Solo visitors looking for a short activity with a social welcome
• People who have already seen Reykjavik’s main sights and want something different
• Anyone interested in ice sculpture, Viking themes, or unusual bars

It is less suitable if you dislike cold rooms, want a long guided tour, or expect a large museum. It may also disappoint you if you measure value only by the amount of food or drink included.

The experience is not a substitute for Icelandic history museums, archaeological sites, or a broader city tour. Its Viking story is told through decorative ice carvings, not through a detailed lecture or collection of historic objects.

Still, the format has an advantage. You do not need specialist knowledge to enjoy it. You can look, take pictures, sip your drink, and leave with a clear memory of doing something unusual in Reykjavik.

Booking, cancellation, and practical details

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is available, which helps if your Reykjavik plans depend on weather or changing sightseeing times.

Check availability for starting times because the activity is valid for one day rather than being an open-ended admission across your whole trip. The meeting point is the Magic Ice Bar below the Álafoss store, accessed through the store downstairs.

The entry fee includes the bar admission, one welcome drink, a poncho, and gloves. Additional drinks cost extra. English is the stated language, and the experience is wheelchair accessible.

I would arrive with warm layers already on, rather than treating the poncho as your only protection. Have your camera or phone charged, and leave room in your schedule for staff-assisted photographs.

Should you book the Magic Ice Bar?

Book it if you want a compact, highly unusual Reykjavik stop with strong photo potential, friendly service, and a drink served in an actual ice glass. The Viking carvings and more than 60 tons of ice give the visit enough substance to feel like more than a gimmick.

Skip it if $34 feels too much for one drink, if you expect several rooms, or if cold environments make you uncomfortable. The bar is smaller than some people imagine, and the experience works best when you see it as a short themed attraction rather than a full evening.

My practical call: add it to a day when you are already near the Álafoss store, especially in poor weather or between sightseeing plans. For many people, the unusual setting and helpful photo-taking staff will be worth the price. Just arrive prepared for the cold and keep your expectations focused on one memorable room, not a huge ice palace.

FAQ

Where is the Magic Ice Bar in Reykjavik?

The Magic Ice 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 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 more drinks?

Yes. Additional drinks are available to purchase after the included drink.

How much does the experience cost?

The listed price is $34 per person.

How cold is the Magic Ice Bar?

The room is kept cold to protect the ice sculptures. Warm clothing is recommended even though a poncho and gloves are supplied.

What should I bring?

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

Is the Magic Ice Bar wheelchair accessible?

Yes. The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible.

What language is used?

The host or greeter speaks English, and English is the listed language for the activity.

Can I cancel my booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.