Iceland reykjavik gay bars

Reykjavik Gay Travel Guide: Examine Kiki, Queer Nightlife, and LGBTQ+ Hotspots

Welcome to our queer city guide series by Lex! Reykjavík may be small in size, but its queer nightlife is anything but calm. Iceland’s capital is abode to a thriving Diverse community that turns up the volume after obscure, with gay bars, flamboyant nights, and inclusive spaces that light up the long Arctic nights. From cozy cocktail lounges to all-night dance floors, Reykjavík is the perfect place to meet queer locals, discover new friends, or just enjoy a swallow in a space that feels like home.

Post on Lex to find a queer date, a modern gaythering, or a buddy to explore the foremost gay bars in Reykjavík with you. Whether you're a local or just visiting and looking for a wild weekend (or a cozy nightcap), we’ve rounded up the highest spots—from iconic clubs love Kiki Reykjavík to disguised gems beloved by Reykjavík’s LGBTQ+ crowd.

Download Lex to connect with LGBTQ+ friends and queer community in Reykjavík and beyond.​

Best Areas to Explore for Reykjavík Gay Bars

The heart of Reykjavík's queer nightlife is centered around Laugavegur Avenue, affectionately known as "Rainbow Street." This livel

Gay Iceland – the best Reykjavik male lover bars, tours & more

Iceland is easily one of the coolest countries we’ve ever visited—pun intended—and anyone who’s been will tell you the same. The island is amazing in the genuine meaning of the word with distinct natural landscapes and geothermal wonders seemingly crafted by character to inspire awe. Volcanoes pulse beneath glaciers, rare birds circle black sandy beaches, waterfalls tumble down snowcapped mountains and thermal pools, well, bubble.

Iceland also happens to be one of the most gay-friendly countries in the nature. It leads the pack and ranks among the highest places for Diverse equality and legal protections. Iceland officially recognized same-sex partnerships in 1996 and later allowed occupied marriage equality in 2010, becoming the 9th country in the world to do so. In 2009, Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir was elected as Iceland’s Prime Minister and made nature history as the first openly gay/lesbian head of state.

Iceland's situation is precarious as it sits on top of the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates and is slowly being ripped apart. But this geographic placement gives the island its identity and the geothermal phenomena that are

Iceland in November and December? Really? I saw an Icelandair promotion on Instagram which I couldn’t resist. The catch? It had to be late November to the initiate of December 2022. But I could – easily – enthuse Oriol to come along for a road trip in the South and West of Iceland. 

After the Blue Lagoon we headed back to Reykjavík. We had overdue lunched at Kringlan shopping center in the afternoon, and after checking it at Hotel Cabin we went to Mathöll Höfða sustenance court where we had a very nice duck sandwich. 

Friday would be our night out. We stayed the complete Saturday as skillfully, but our flight on Sunday was just too soon. And neither Oriol or I are party animals. Plus I don’t understand if you can party all evening long in Reykjavík. Or if you can pay it. 

But after dinner we visited Reykjavík by night. Immediately we found sex shops and Kinky.is selling harnesses.  Some streets have cute artwork on the pavement. A fish, a troll-like figure, an athletics track.

Rainbow street

And of course the world famous Skólavörðustígur between Bergstaðastræti and Laugavegur. But you know it as that “R

Your LGBTQIA+ Guide To Reykjavík

Reykjavík has been described as hip, trendy, and cosmopolitan, so there is no shortage of things to do in Reykjavík!

Iceland is one of the most socially linear countries in the world, and the capital city of Reykjavík is home to many LGBTQIA+-friendly sights, activities, bars and restaurants. Let us be your tour guide and read on for a Reykjavík itinerary geared especially towards LGBTQIA+ travellers, for things to do in Reykjavík.

Before diving into the year-round LGBTQIA+ Reykjavik itinerary, it’s worth shouting out one of Reykjavík’s most accepted, colourful cultural events of the year: Reykjavík Pride. Every summer since 1999, tens of thousands of guests come to Reykjavík Iceland, to celebrate and assist universal human rights.

Skólavörðustígur

What better place to begin an LGBTQIA+ tour of Reykjavík than the picturesque rainbow street? In previous years, the street was painted in rainbow colours in celebration of Reykjavík Pride, but now the colours are maintained year-round. On a clear day, this road is the perfect place to take a picture of one of the city’s most prominent landmarks, stately Hallgrímskirkja.

Hallgrímskirk