Note: This article is part of our budget travel guide to Iceland.

Supermarkets

The Icelandic supermarket will be your best friend if you really want to keep your food costs down. Bonus is a discount chain that can feed you for just a few dollars a day, and there is one right in the heart of the city at Laugavegur 59 Kjörgarður.

If your hotel or hostel has kitchen facilities, consider at least a few meals that you can cook yourself, and then you’ll have a little extra left over for the nights you do want to go out. Shopping at the supermarket lets you taste local Icelandic specialties like fish and lamb without shelling out a small fortune. And don’t leave the market without picking up a few types of licorice candy, the local sweet treat that everyone loves!

Reykjavik cheap eats

The prices at restaurants and bars in Reykjavik can add up quickly, but here are some budget options:

• For a delicious local delicacy at a good price, try a bowl of lobster soup at Saegreifinn
  
• For a hearty and healthy lunch along the main drag in Reykjavik, Sandholt, a bakery that has been making homemade bread for over 100 years,  serves up sandwiches and salads in their cafe space.
• Food halls offer a fun, affordable way to eat out in Reykjavik. You’ll find everything from fish and chips to lamb burgers at Grandi Matholl and Hlemmer Matholl (a renovated bus station).
• Pop into Brauð & co for delicious (and affordable) organic pastries that are so good they usually sell out before the end of the day.
• The student cafe, Háma, at the University of Iceland is a good spot for lunch with daily specials for under $10.
• Coffee shops we like include Reykjavik Roasters and the classic Mokka that’s been serving espresso since 1958.
• For a hot dog, try Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur, a very popular stand in the center of town that has been open for decades.

Pastries from Brauð & Co and coffee from Reykjavik Roasters. Photo: Craig Nelson

Happy Hours

Iceland is famous for consuming large quantities of beer — and the even larger price tags that come with those pints. Taxes on alcohol are off the charts, and a beer can easily set you back $10. However, there are several excellent happy hour deals around town. If you love good beer, check out Skúli Craft Bar during happy hour where you can sip local brews at the outdoor picnic tables or head to Kex Hostel for one of the cheapest beers in town (800 kr). There’s also an app, Appy Hour Reykjavik, that you can download to find the nearest (and cheapest) cocktail, although during COVID they have not been updating the information on a regular basis.

Kaffibarinn is a popular bar in Reykjavik. Photo: halighalie

Nightlife

Even though Iceland is tiny (about 350,000 population), the music scene has produced an impressive number of world-famous acts from Björk to Sigur Rós and GDRN. The nightlife scene is hopping with dance clubs with DJs, bars that get packed on the weekend (like Kaffibarinn), and plenty of live music venues as well as numerous festivals throughout the year like Iceland Airwaves that draw fans from around the world.

The Reykjavik Grapevine offers detailed listings for movies, music, performing arts, and much more. You can pick up a copy around town or check their website before you hit the town.

Our guide to budget travel in Iceland

Read more in our guide to saving in Iceland:

• Airfare: Finding cheap flights from the US
• When to go to Iceland
• Budget hotels in Reykjavik
• Renting a car in Iceland
• Bus tours from Reykjavik
• Budget tips for visiting Reykjavik

The post Reykjavik cheap eats: Save on restaurants, cafes and bars appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

It’s perhaps unsurprising that these are also great places to let your hair down and have a good time. With prices far cheaper than the average London bar tab, these venues are definitely worth celebrating.

Is it happy hour yet?

Related: Saving on nightlife, culture and bars in London

1. Simmons

Several locations around London

Not a happy hour but a happy FIVE hours is the norm in this chain of bars. You can find them in locations around London including Soho, Kings Cross, Fitzrovia and Camden. All the bars benefit from the eclectic decor, mixing kitsch toys, neon signs, and granny-style light shades. That style is reflected in the drinks too, and they even serve cocktails in teapots (for £15 during happy hour).

The times for the Happy Hours vary between venue – check their website for details – but offers include spirit and mixer or a glass of wine for £2.50 (perfect for those who prefer more a conventional drinking receptacle!).

2. Be at One

Several locations around London

Another chain of bars that prides itself on its happy hour, Be At One has locations in central London including Camden and Covent Garden. Again, the time of their happy hours varies between venues, but usually spans a couple of hours every night, including the weekend.

You’ll find a two-for-one on their extensive cocktail menu, which includes all the classics as well as some more unusual numbers such as the “Swedish Death Nettle”. The bars share a fun, party atmosphere, while some — including the Covent Garden Russell Street branch — have a late license.

3. London Cocktail Club

Several locations around London

Describing themselves as “a serious drinkers party bar”, this is another cocktail chain. There are branches in Goodge Street, Shaftesbury Avenue, Oxford Circus, Islington, and Bethnal Green.

LCC serves up some truly imaginative cocktails, served in equally inventive ways — fancy a bacon and egg martini, served with a garnish of real bacon? It’ll taste even better when bought as part of the 2 for £12 happy hour deal. Times vary between venues so check their site for details.

4. Cafe Kick & Bar Kick

Leave behind the cocktails for just for a bit (although they do serve them too), and step into one of the two branches of these Soccer-themed bars. It takes its cue from European bars, rather than British pubs, offering bottles of European beers, wine, and the opportunity to play your own game of foosball (known as ‘table football’ across the pond).

Their happy hour runs from 4 pm to  7 pm every day, when you can buy a bottle of house beer for £2. At Bar Kick, you can also pick up a bottle of the house wine for only £12.

5. Barrio

Four locations in London: Angel, Soho, Shoreditch & Brixton

Also on a global theme are the Barrio bars that can be found in Angel, Soho, Shoreditch, and Brixton, offering a colorful and kitsch take on South American style.

Their “Amigo Hours” are the time to really become friendly with their drinks menu. Running all day Sunday and Monday, and until 8 pm (9 pm in Brixton) from Tuesday to Saturday, they offer £5.50 select cocktails, while you can pick up a selection of beers for £3.50 a bottle.

6. Slim Jims

112 Upper Street, Islington
Tube: Angel

Okay, it might not be why you wanted to visit Europe, but Slim Jims aims to offer a taste of the States in the heart of London. They have a big love of whiskey, liquor, and rock n roll.

There’s regular live music, but one of the attractions has to be their happy hour, running from 4 pm to 8 pm on Tuesday to Friday, and until 10 pm on Sundays and Mondays. The deal? 2-for-1 cocktails!

7. Joe’s Southern Kitchen

34 King St, Covent Garden
Tube: Leicester Square or Covent Garden Station

Another British take on the States, Joe’s serves up generous portions of fried chicken, pulled pork, mac n’ cheese and the like. They’re also generous with their happy hours at their bar — running all day Sunday and from 4 pm until 6.30 pm on Monday to Friday — where selected cocktails are just £4.

It’s also well worth checking if their downstairs “Cocktail Baby” space is open. Not only does it play a great mix of disco, soul, and house music, it’s £5 for cocktails from Thursday to Saturday.

8. The Drunken Monkey

222 Shoreditch High St, Shoreditch
Tube: Liverpool Street

Head to The Drunken Monkey (just down the road from Bar Kick) for dim sum and cocktails. It’s a cool space, decorated in rich red with kitsch touches and a DJ playing funk, house and soul, with even cooler happy hour offers.

Running from 5 pm to 7 pm Monday to Friday, and from 12 pm until 7 pm and all day Sunday, you can buy four beers for £10. There’s a selection of cocktails available for £5 each too, from classics such as the Shanghai Sling and Mojito to their own inventions such as Monkey’s Strawberry Lemonade, a refreshing but potent mix of vodka, crème de fraise, strawberries, and citrus juice.

9. The Roxy

3-5 Rathbone Pl, Fitzrovia
Tube: Tottenham Court Road Station

This basement bar and club just near Tottenham Court Road is a popular spot for an evening out, open until late every night except Sunday and playing a wide range of music, from indie through to chart pop.

There are plenty of promotions that will make you want to stay out late — each weekday the happy runs from 5 pm until 8.30 pm, and on Saturday it’s between 6.30 pm and 10.30 pm. There’s a wide range of drinks included, including half price cocktail pitchers and bottles of house wine. In addition, Monday to Wednesday brings a 2-for-1 on cocktails.

10. The Old School Yard

111 Long Lane, London Bridge
Tube: Borough

This charmingly scruffy around the edges bar is inspired by your school days — they’ve even got lockers! However, it’s probably a lot more fun than your school days ever were, with video games, a karaoke booth, and plenty of cocktails.

Open Tuesday through Saturday, the happy hour runs from 5:30 pm until 8 pm. Enjoy two beers for £5 or cocktails for £4.50 each, to a soundtrack of suitably retro hits.

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Happy hours galore

The Marais, French for “swamp,” is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Paris, located primarily between the St-Paul and Hotel de Ville Métro stations. Studded with free cultural attractions (Musée Carnavalet, Pavillon d’Arsenal, Victor Hugo House, etc.) it is also the historic Jewish, gay, and more recently Chinese neighborhood.

A walk down rue du Temple, rue des Archives, or rue du Vieille du Temple will take you into the heart of the gay district. The three streets run parallel and streets perpendicular to them are filled with endless watering holes, cafés, and nightspots catering to a largely male clientele.

A night on the town can easily start at the Open Café on rue des Archives. Happy hour pints of beer are a great way to get things going (€3.70, 6-10PM). (17 Rue des Archives, 75004)

After Open’s happy hour ends, hop around a bit, maybe to Banana Café. The Josephine-Baker inspired bar on the edge of the Marais, in the adjacent Châtelet neighborhood, serves up happy hour until 11 p.m. (€3 pints, 6-11 p.m.). If you’re in the bar before 11 p.m., you’ll be able to skip the cover to go dancing downstairs where the party continues. (13 Rue de la Ferronnerie, 75001)

If you’re not ready to dance, head back into the heart of the Marais where happy hour starts up again at Le Feeling, with €3 brews available until midnight (€3 pints, happy hour 7-9 p.m., then 11 p.m.-12 a.m.). Beware of – or marvel at – the Turkish toilet. (43 rue Sainte-Croix la Bretonnerie, 75004)

Dancing and Mingling

If you’ve had enough to drink and want to experience more gay nightlife, the streets branching off rue des Archives are your best bet for mingling and dancing.

FreeDJ, located between Open Café and Le Feeling, has no cover and two floors of dancing. Upstairs most people are simply waiting for the coat check while downstairs the cave bar plays all of the Lady Gaga and Rhianna that you could want. These are tiny Medieval Parisian buildings, so be prepared to get cozy on the dance floor. (35 rue Ste-Croix de la Bretonnerie, 75004)

Across the rue des Archives from the Open, Spyce, one of the newest additions to the Marais, offers €2 half-pints if you’re in by happy hour (€2 half pints, 6-10 p.m.). If not, it still has all the people watching you’ll need. (23 rue Sainte-Croix de la Bretonnerie, 75004)

Across the street, terraces fill up (even on colder nights) at the aptly named Cox on rue des Archives with a mixed set. (15 Rue des Archives, 75004)

A younger set can be found at Raidd Bar on rue du Temple, featuring a live shower performance by some of the healthier-looking locals. All three of these choices are free to enter, however, trying to enter these dance bars with large groups of girls can be a problem, and bouncers might refuse the ladies. You’ve been warned. (23 Rue du Temple, 75004)

To finish the night, Duplex is a laidback hangout to mix with locals over a beer or two (only €2.80 for a half pint). (25 rue Michel-Comte, 75003)

Dancing and mingling can also continue until the wee hours of the morning downstairs at nearby Cud, though drinks tend to be pricier. (12 rue des Haudriettes, 75003)

By 5 a.m. you’ll be wondering why anyone ever told you to go to Queen on the Champs-Elysées…

Your favorite gay bars in Paris?

Do you have a favorite bar to add to our list? Have any comments about the bars mentioned? Share with us in our comments section.

Also in our guide: If you’re heading to Paris soon and are looking for affordable accommodation, check out our hotel reviews posted in our Paris guide, with many listings in the Marais. Read more in our Paris hotel guide.

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