Iceland (Lonely Planet, 7th Edition) - Fran Parnell [70]
NASA (Map; 511 1313; nasa@nasa.is; Austurvöllur; admission Ikr1500-3500) The biggest nightclub in Reykjavík, NASA is a stripped-pine affair filled with Prada-clad crowds. It plays chart music and club anthems, and is the city’s main live-music venue – email for upcoming gigs.
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ENTERTAINMENT
For nightclubs, see above.
Cinemas
Cinemas in Reykjavík are mostly American-style multiplexes showing American blockbusters. Movies are screened in their original language with Icelandic subtitles. Cinemas charge around Ikr1000/550 per adult/child under eight years, and films are usually shown at 5.45pm, 8pm and 10pm. The newspaper Morgunblaðið lists shows and times, or click on the ‘Bíó’ tab at www.kvikmyndir.is.
Háskólabíó (Map; 525 5400; Hagatorg) At the university; sometimes shows arts films.
Laugarásbíó (Map; 553 2075; Laugarás) Near the City Hostel.
Regnboginn (Map; 551 9000; Hverfisgata 54) Central cinema, sometimes showing arts films, with the cheapest tickets.
Sambíóin (Map; 575 8900; Kringlunni 4-6) In Kringlan shopping centre.
Smárabíó (off Map; 564 0000; Kópavogur) Iceland’s biggest cinema, in Smáralind shopping centre.
Cultural Activities
Reykjavík has several theatre groups, an opera house and a symphony orchestra. Information on current events can be found in What’s On in Reykjavík, Grapevine or the daily papers.
Íslenska Óperan (Map; box office 511 4200; www.opera.is; Ingólfstræti; box office 2-6pm) The Icelandic Opera has a busy program of international operas, with tickets ranging from Ikr3100 to Ikr7500.
Iceland Symphony Orchestra (Map; 545 2500; www.sinfonia.is; Háskólabíó, Hagatorg; tickets Ikr3300-3700; box office 9am-5pm Mon-Fri, to 7.30pm on concert eves) The orchestra will eventually move to flashy new premises by the harbour, currently half built. The economic crisis has put a temporary halt to the construction work and planned relocation, so for now the orchestra will remain at Reykjavík University cinema. There are around 60 classical performances per season, normally on Thursday at 7.30pm.
National Theatre (Map; 551 1200; www.leikhusid.is; Lindargata 7; tickets adult/under 16yr Ikr3400/2800; box office 12.30-6pm, to 8pm on performance eves, theatre closed Jul & Aug) The most important of several venues in the city, the National Theatre has three separate stages and puts on around 12 plays, musicals and operas per year, from modern Icelandic works to Shakespeare.
Reykjavík City Theatre (Map; 568 8000; www.borgarleikhus.is; Kringlan, Listabraut 3; adult/under 12yr from Ikr3950/free; box office 10am-6pm Mon & Tue, 10am-8pm Wed-Fri, noon-8pm Sat & Sun, theatre closed Jul & Aug) The country’s second-largest theatre, behind Kringlan shopping centre, stages at least six plays and musicals per year, showing at around 8pm from Thursday to Sunday. The Icelandic Dance Company (www.id.is) is in residence there.
Iðnó Theatre (Map; 551 9181; www.lightnights.com; Vonarstræti 3; tickets adult/7-16yr Ikr3500/2000; 8.30pm Mon & Tue mid-Jul & Aug) In summer there are tourist performances at this lakeside venue: ‘Light Nights’ is a mixed bag of Icelandic history, dance, folk tales and ghost stories and a slide show.
Live Music
The Reykjavík live-music scene is chaotic, ever-changing and strangely organic, with exotic new venues mushrooming up over the stumps of the old. To catch up with the current state of Icelandic music, consult the free English-language paper Grapevine (widely available), or pop into one of the city’s two independent music shops (Click here). There are frequent live performances at various bars, pubs and clubs, including NASA (opposite) and (currently) the two following venues:
Batteríið (Map; 861 4521; Hafnarstræti 1-3) For a few years now, this place on the wrong side of Lækjargata has been one of Reykjavík’s main live-music venues. When you know it holds just 300 people, you understand how cute and teeny the city’s bar scene really is