Reykjavik: Magic Ice Bar Entrance and Welcome Drink

Reykjavik’s Magic Ice Bar is a compact, chilly gallery where Viking myths and Atlantic adventures are carved into more than 60 tons of ice. You enter below the Álafoss store, put on the supplied poncho and gloves, and step into a room where the walls, seats, bar, and drinking glass all belong to the same frozen theme.

I like the ice glass and included signature drink, which give the visit a clear sense of occasion. I also like the staff’s hands-on approach, especially when they help with creative photos. The main catch is size: you may expect several rooms or a larger bar, but this is a small experience, and some visitors find the $34 price high for the time spent inside.

Key points to know before you go

• More than 60 tons of ice: International ice artists create the wall carvings, furniture, Viking scenes, and decorative sculptures.
• A drink served in ice: Your welcome drink comes in an actual ice glass, with extra drinks available to buy.
• Below the Álafoss store: Enter the store first, then head downstairs to reach the bar.
• Very cold inside: The poncho and gloves help, but warm clothing and layers still matter.
• Helpful photo hosts: Staff members such as Roman have been praised for taking lively photos with visitors’ phones.
• Easy to fit into a city day: You can use it as a short break between sightseeing, shopping, or dinner in central Reykjavik.

Finding the bar below Álafoss

The meeting point is easy to describe but worth noting: Magic Ice Bar is located below the Álafoss store, so you enter through the store and go downstairs. Do not wait outside for a separate street entrance or transport pickup.

The experience is designed as a self-contained visit rather than a city tour. There is no bus ride, walking route, or countryside stop attached to it. That makes it useful on a day when you want something different without leaving Reykjavik.

You will be greeted by staff in English and given a poncho and gloves before entering the ice room. The clothing is returned at the end. You should still wear warm clothes, since the supplied gear is helpful but does not turn the room into a comfortable indoor temperature.

Crossing into the frozen gallery

The first moment is the main hook. You pass from an ordinary shop into an arctic room, with cold air, ice walls, and carved surfaces replacing the usual bar décor. The change is quick and theatrical, which is part of the fun.

The ice is not just used for a counter or a few decorative blocks. The room includes carved walls, seating, sculptures, and a glass for your drink. That shared material gives the place a strong visual idea, even if the room is smaller than some people expect.

The art connects the setting to Icelandic Viking history. Carvings tell stories of Norwegian Viking sailors crossing rough Atlantic seas and starting a new life in Iceland. You can take time to look at the scenes, but this is not presented as a long museum tour with detailed interpretation at every sculpture.

I find the room works best when you treat it as a visual experience rather than a full historical attraction. The Viking theme gives the ice more purpose, while the sculptures provide the main reason to keep your camera ready.

The Viking carvings and ice sculptures

The carvings are the heart of the visit. International ice artists shape the material into detailed figures and scenes, including Viking subjects and decorative sculptures. The scale of the collection is impressive in a practical sense: 60 tons of ice is a lot of material to keep cold, shape, light, and maintain.

Look closely at the surfaces rather than rushing straight to the bar. Ice can make familiar shapes feel unusual, since light passes through some sections and catches on carved edges. You might find an ice throne or other seats that turn a simple drink stop into a photo session.

The room is not huge, and that affects the value. If you want a large attraction with multiple themed areas, you may leave wanting more. If you enjoy unusual design, quick photo stops, and places you cannot easily duplicate at home, the smaller scale is less of a problem.

The art also changes the pace of a Reykjavik day. After walking outdoors in wind or rain, you might expect the warmest possible indoor break. Here, you choose another kind of contrast: a short stop that is deliberately colder, stranger, and more playful.

Your drink in an ice glass

Your admission includes one Magic Ice Bar signature drink. It is served in a glass made of ice, so the presentation is just as important as the beverage itself.

That detail gives the $34 ticket more substance than simple entry to a cold room. You are not only looking at the bar, you are using part of it. The drink also makes a natural starting point for photos, especially when the ice glass is held against the carved walls.

The exact drink is not specified in the booking details, and the available beverage may vary. Extra drinks can be purchased if you want to stay with the theme for longer, but the included serving is enough to understand the concept.

I would not book this mainly as a cocktail stop. Reykjavik has other places for a longer evening of drinking, conversation, and warmth. Book it for the combination of sculpture, setting, and presentation, with the drink as a welcome bonus.

Staff, photos, and the human touch

The staff can make a noticeable difference here. Several hosts have been singled out by name, including Roman, Roma, Kris, Juliana, and Asteris. Names may change with the shift, but the useful point is that the bar team often does more than hand over a drink.

Staff members have helped visitors use their own phones for photos, suggesting poses and taking pictures among the sculptures. This matters because the room is designed for photographs, but getting a good image of a whole group can be awkward when everyone is taking turns with a phone.

Roman has been praised for keeping the visit fun and helping with photo opportunities. Other comments highlight friendly, attentive service and well-made drinks. That personal welcome helps the experience feel less like a quick ticketed attraction.

Service may not be identical at every visit. One person found the bartender less responsive than expected, so I would keep your expectations sensible. The setting is the main attraction, while the staff interaction is an added benefit that can make the stop far more memorable.

How long the visit feels

The activity is listed as valid for one day, with starting times available when you check the booking calendar. That refers to the booking validity, not a stated number of hours inside the bar. The supplied details do not give a fixed visit length.

In practical terms, plan it as a short city activity, not a half-day outing. You can place it between other Reykjavik plans, use it as a mid-day change of pace, or stop in before dinner. One visitor used it as a break during city exploring, while another paired it with dinner downtown afterward.

The small size supports this approach. You can see the sculptures, enjoy the drink, take photos, and leave without giving up most of your day. If you prefer attractions that occupy several hours, this may feel brief for the price.

Booking ahead makes sense if the experience is important to your schedule. The activity offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before the visit, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms are useful when Icelandic weather or changing plans make a rigid itinerary risky.

Is $34 a fair price?

At $34 per person, this is not a cheap drink. You are paying for entry, the ice installation, protective clothing, and one signature drink in an ice glass.

The value depends on what you compare it with. As a normal bar visit, it is expensive. As a themed art stop with a distinctive setting and a drink included, the price is easier to justify, especially if you enjoy taking photos and trying unusual attractions.

I would be cautious if you are looking for a large, elaborate venue. The room is smaller than some people expect, and a few visitors felt the price was high for the size. On the other hand, the craftsmanship, the unusual materials, the Viking theme, and the staff’s photo help give the visit more character than a basic decorative bar.

For two people, the cost adds up quickly. For a couple who wants a playful Reykjavik memory, it can work well. For a family or larger group watching every Icelandic króna, decide first if the ice setting is more appealing than another museum, café, or city activity.

Staying warm in the ice room

Bring warm clothing even though the venue supplies a poncho and gloves. The room is meant to feel cold, and the poncho is part of the presentation as well as a practical layer.

Layers are the safest choice. You can adjust clothing before entering, and warm sleeves and trousers make it easier to spend time looking at the carvings instead of rushing through them. Take your camera or phone, since photography is one of the strongest parts of the visit.

The cold can be especially noticeable if you arrive expecting an ordinary indoor bar. One visitor joked that the bar was warmer than outside during winter, but that should not be taken as a promise of comfort. Icelandic weather changes, and the indoor ice room remains an ice room.

Wheelchair accessibility is listed for the activity. If accessibility is important to your plans, confirm the exact route through the store and downstairs area when booking, since the meeting point is below street level.

Who will enjoy Magic Ice Bar most?

I think this suits you if you want something unusual, compact, and easy to add to a Reykjavik itinerary. It works well for couples, solo visitors, friends, and families who enjoy a strong photo setting and do not mind a cold room.

It is also a good choice for a rainy or windy day when you want to stay in the city. You do not need to arrange transport outside Reykjavik, and the stop can fit before or after dinner.

Solo visitors should not feel out of place. The activity has a social, playful design, but you can still enjoy the sculptures and drink on your own. Staff may also help with photos, which removes one of the usual problems with solo sightseeing.

I would think twice if you dislike themed attractions, rarely take photos, or want a long educational account of Viking history. The Viking carvings add context, but the visit remains a short, visual entertainment experience rather than a full museum lesson.

A practical visit plan

Arrive at the Álafoss store and head downstairs. Once staff provide your poncho and gloves, take a moment to adjust them before entering the cold room.

Start with a slow look around the walls and main sculptures. Notice the Viking carvings first, then explore the furniture and smaller details. This gives you a better sense of the workmanship before the drink and photographs take over.

Collect your signature drink in its ice glass, then use the bar area and sculptures as photo backgrounds. If a staff member offers to take pictures with your phone, accept the help if you want group shots or more creative angles.

Extra drinks are available for purchase, but you do not need to buy them to get the central experience. When you have finished looking around and taking photos, return the poncho and gloves as you leave.

Should you book Magic Ice Bar Reykjavik?

Book it if you want a short, memorable oddity in the middle of Reykjavik. The ice glass, Viking carvings, 60 tons of sculpted ice, and friendly photo help give the stop plenty of personality.

Skip it if $34 feels too high for a compact attraction, or if you expect several rooms and a full evening at the bar. For the best chance of feeling good about the price, treat it as one part of a city day, not the main event.

My call: yes, for first-time visitors who enjoy unusual experiences and photography. Wear layers, keep your expectations about size realistic, and allow the sculptures and staff interaction to carry the visit.

FAQ

Where is Magic Ice Bar Reykjavik located?

The ice bar is below the Álafoss store in Reykjavik. Enter through the store and head downstairs.

What does the $34 ticket include?

The ticket 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.

Can I buy more drinks inside?

Yes. Additional drinks are available to purchase after your included welcome drink.

How cold is the ice bar?

The room is deliberately kept cold, so you should bring warm clothing. A poncho and gloves are provided, but layers are still recommended.

What should I bring?

Bring warm clothing and a camera or phone for photographs.

Is the activity wheelchair accessible?

Yes. The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible.

What language is spoken by the host or greeter?

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. You can also reserve now and pay later.