Review of Lemmy: Beer, Grub, and Rock & Roll

You can't miss the nostalgic windows of Lemmy Bar on Austurstraeti Street in downtown Reykjavik.

It was Friday at last, so we decided to get a group together and have a late lunch at Lemmy, a rock-themed bar & beer garden in downtown Reykjavik. Named after the late frontman of Motörhead, Lemmy pays tribute to the genre through their music selection, live concerts, and memorabilia collection.

Craving comfort food and craft beer to jumpstart the weekend, Lemmy seemed like the perfect choice for us. Spoiler alert: It was!

When entering, keep your eyes on the ceiling at Lemmy! The decor is incredible!

Before walking in, we noticed the pop culture collectibles in the windows, already setting the tone for what awaited inside.

As soon as we entered, we were impressed by the quirky interior, which includes tufted ceilings, a huge beer bottle collection, velvet seats, and vintage wallpapers mixed with exposed concrete.

The space also has a small corner stage for live concerts, a big fish tank, stained glass windows, topped off with string lights!

Say hello to the fishy residents at Lemmy and grab a bowl of cereal with free refills.

Lemmy is divided into three parts. There is the inside front bar area, which includes the stage, booths, and table set-ups. In the back is a large courtyard where Reykjavik's only open-air beer garden is located. Lastly, on the second floor, there is a small, open loft surrounded by wooden beams, providing a more intimate and cozy setting.

Eat the Rich

The menu items at Lemmy are both sweet and savory.

Lemmy’s food menu is filled with goodies rich in flavor, such as bratwursts, waffles, and sandwiches. After much debate, we decided on Lemmy’s Open Steak Sandwich, the vegan version of the Spaniard Dog, Fish & Chips and the Frickin Chicken Waffle.

The first thing we noticed when receiving the food- besides how delicious it looked- was that their portions were very generous! That's a big plus in my book, especially if you’re as hungry as we were.

The Frickin Chicken Waffle was a perfectly balanced mix of crispy, sweet and savory. It was like a main dish and a dessert all in one! The Vegan Spandiard Dog was moist with a nice crisp on the outside, the ideal choice for a flavorful, light meal. Crispy on the outside, flaky on the inside, and served with seasoned fries, Lemmy’s Fish & Chips was both a classic and tasty choice.

You won't walk away hungry from Lemmy!

I’m usually hesitant to order steak sandwiches at restaurants because the meat tends to be chewy more often than not. But I took a chance and was highly impressed by Lemmy's tender and soft steak! Topped with cheese, fresh vegetables, and BBQ sauce on a fluffy bun, the steak sandwich was juicy and flavor-packed.

Lemmy’s menu includes excellent choices for a lazy brunch, such as Steak & Eggs, Hangover Shake, French Toast Waffle, and a variety of breakfast cereals you can buy a bowl of- with free refills! If you’re visiting with children, note that any meal on the menu can be changed to a children’s meal for 50% off!

Beer In the Jar

There are so many drink options to choose from.

Lemmy offers a variety of drink options, including a selection of timeless cocktails (or Rocktails), such as Espresso Martini, Negroni, and Whiskey Sour. Lemmy, being the only real beer garden in Reykjavik, truly proves itself as one of the most prominent representations of Icelandic breweries.

They have 50 beers in a self-service tap system where you can browse and try the local breweries’ different options.

For health reasons, we recommend spreading your 50 beer tasting over a few visits...

What makes Icelandic beer stand out is its high-quality standards and the pure Icelandic water that’s used, giving every brew a crisp and refreshing taste.

If you would rather drink something a bit more familiar, Lemmy also offers options such as Tuborg, Carlsberg, and Kronenbourg Blanc. Though international, they are made with Icelandic water!

Lemmy has a special cocktail corner for something different.

Feeling fruity? Why not try Sommersby Apple Cider, Mango Pale Ale, or Piña Colada Sour? The self-service tap system only includes alcoholic beers and ciders, but Lemmy has non-alcoholic options at the main bar.

I’ll admit I spent a while choosing from their massive collection, but I’m an IPA gal, which narrowed it down a bit. I picked Úlfrún, made by Borg Brewery, which paired perfectly with my steak sandwich.

Friday, I'm in Love

The story behind this incredible sofa set is one of life's unanswered mysteries.

After we ate, it was time for a food coma in the comfortable (and stylish) couches in the garden, where we cozied up with a blanket while finishing our beers. Next up was some nostalgic fun: arcade games! Visiting Ms. Pacman was a true blast from the past, literally putting the cherry on top of this visit.

Being a big fan of classic rock myself, I was very pleased to hear Lemmy’s incredible choice of tunes. Enjoying a craft beer on a leopard-patterned sofa under a blanket while listening to The Doors, Janis Joplin, and Pink Floyd is definitely a Friday activity I could get used to.

Lemmy is the go-to place for live concerts in Reykjavik.

Lemmy hosts live rock concerts that are free of charge, making it one of the best places in Reykjavik to experience the local music scene- especially for fans of rock, punk, and grunge.

Lemmy is also one of the few places in Reykjavik where you can play vintage arcade games, such as NBA Jam, Galaga, and, of course, Ms. Packman! The games are free to use, making Lemmy an excellent choice for a fun, affordable time.

Take the time to try the arcade game collection at Lemmy!

Conclusion: Lemmy stands out from other bars in Reykjavik due to its quirky interior, retro vibes, and massive beer selection. This place is perfect for comfort food in a laid-back environment during the day, sipping Icelandic beer over a board game, or rocking out to a local band at night because, let’s face it, there is a little rockstar in all of us!