If you’re looking to experience the Reykjavik nightlife and find a place to dance, sing, and celebrate, few spots capture the city’s spirit quite like the rainbow-painted Kiki Club.
This colorful, queer-friendly nightclub on Laugavegur Street has long been considered one of the top bars in Reykjavik and is a cornerstone of Iceland's LGBTQ+ scene.
Why You Can Trust Our Content
Guide to Iceland is the most trusted travel platform in Iceland, helping millions of visitors each year. All our content is written and reviewed by local experts who are deeply familiar with Iceland. You can count on us for accurate, up-to-date, and trustworthy travel advice.
Along with the lively dance floor, Kiki hosts themed nights and special events, including drag shows on Fridays and karaoke on Thursdays, which is exactly what we were there for.
Our night had already been off to a good start with cocktails and tacos at Ellý Bar, just a minute away, followed by more drinks at 22 Bar, conveniently located right beneath Kiki.
After that warmup, we made our way upstairs, ready to end the evening on a high note. It was time for a “kiki” at Kiki.
Kiki Club Travel Tips:
-
Location: Kiki is right on Laugavegur 22, Reykjavik’s main nightlife street, making it easy to combine with nearby bars and restaurants. It's painted like a rainbow, making it hard to miss.
-
Best nights to visit: Thursdays for karaoke, Fridays for drag shows, or Fridays and Saturdays if you’re just in the mood to dance.
-
When to go: Arrive before 9:30 PM if you want a table; things get busier closer to midnight. For dancing, arrive after 11 PM.
-
Entry: Usually free. Bring ID to get in later in the evening.
-
Opening hours: Thursdays: 9 PM - 1 AM; Friday - Saturday: 9 PM - 4:30 AM.
"Let's Have a Kiki" at Kiki
The Thursday night event was “Kikioke,” the club’s signature karaoke night that kicks off around 9 PM and quickly draws a lively, open-minded crowd.
Having danced here countless times during my early twenties, usually around some unclear hour past midnight, it was refreshing to see Kiki earlier in the evening.
With brighter lights and a bit more breathing room, I finally noticed the playful details I’d always missed: the LED lights, cheeky wall art, and the overall sense of joyful chaos that makes the place so inviting.
The room was already buzzing with a diverse mix of people, some clearly there to perform, others just ready to cheer and sing along.
Speaking of drinks, the bar’s menu is just as cheeky as its atmosphere, filled with cocktail names perfectly suited to a queer club. There are also local favourite Icelandic beers, ciders, and other fun options available.
I chose the most popular drink, the elegant "Pussy Juice" cocktail, which I totally did not feel awkward ordering out loud, while my friend went for a "Kiki Fizz".
My cocktail had a vodka base (my poison of choice), along with grenadine, elderflower, and cherry blossom tonic. It was a pretty pink color, and with my first sip, my reaction was "wow, that's a party".
My friend’s drink, reminiscent of a gin fizz with a sweet twist, came highly recommended and didn’t disappoint.
Voices Up, Inhibitions Down
With drinks now in hand, we managed to snag a small table near the back, offering a perfect view of both the stage and, crucially, the lyrics screen.
As the host kicked things off with a quick number, the first singers, clearly seasoned regulars, took to the stage. Throughout the evening, more brave souls signed up at the bar, and while we weren’t quite ready to perform ourselves, that didn’t stop us from belting out the choruses from our seats.
I guess, as it was a karaoke, I was expecting more cheesy songs to dominate the stage, but it was a curious mix of both classics, musical theatre, and some surprising nostalgia.
A glamorous rendition of Skullcrusher Mountain by Jonathan Coulton set the tone, followed by a heartfelt Cabaret performance and an unexpectedly impressive take on Edith Piaf’s Non, je ne regrette rien.
My inner former emo heart took over as I'm with You by scene-queen Avril Lavigne came on, and I will neither confirm nor deny that this lead to a nostalgic play through of her discography over the following few days.
It was followed by crowd-pleasers like Céline Dion’s I’m Alive and Taylor Swift’s You Belong with Me, which had everyone singing along at the top of their lungs.
The diversity and fun mood at Kiki Club seems to be a standard during these karaoke nights, as you can see in the video above. It's from a "kikioke" night in 2022, and shows how it has remained incredibly popular for a great night out in Reykjavik.
Ending on a High Note
By the end of the night, the whole room felt connected, a mix of locals, travelers, and regulars all singing along, laughing, and cheering each other on.
The atmosphere was relaxed, inclusive, and full of good energy, making it easy to feel at home even as this was our first visit. Maybe next time, we’ll sign up to perform after a few more rounds of liquid courage!
Conclusion: Kiki Club is a cornerstone of Reykjavik nightlife and easily one of the best bars in Reykjavik for anyone looking for a fun, inclusive night out. Whether you’re there for karaoke, drag shows, or dancing until closing time, it delivers the right mix of chaos and charm. It feels genuine, lively, and the kind of place that makes you want to come back.
