It’s hard to miss The English Pub when exploring downtown Reykjavik. Located at Austurstraeti 12, it’s one of the city’s most popular bar hangouts.
With a spacious interior, a lively atmosphere, and plenty of entertainment, it’s the kind of pub that fits almost any night out. For us, it was the final stop on our self-titled "European bar tour of Reykjavik", following visits to the Irishman Pub and to Den Danske Kro.
We were ready to end the night in style, with a trip to “England” right here in Reykjavik.
Local Favorites in a Cozy Setting
The English Pub is very cozy earlier in the evening, but later becomes a go-to party place!
The English Pub has plenty of room inside, with an outdoor terrace opening onto Austurvollur Square. When the Icelandic weather is kind, the patio is always packed with locals fighting to catch what they can of those rare sunrays.
As this wasn’t one of those days, we ordered two Gull beers and an Úlfur IPA, which are all local favorites, and tucked ourselves into a cozy corner indoors.
There are so many fun details decorating the English Pub.
The décor leans into the English theme with a mix of dark wood, leather seating, and traditional pub styling that feels both cozy and familiar. The bar itself is long and well-stocked, framed by mirrors and lit to keep the space warm and inviting.
Little details stand out, like a vintage bike hanging on the wall, classic beer signs, flags, and the subway-themed bathrooms, which add a playful twist to the otherwise classic design.
Trying Our Luck
I wouldn't call playing the Wheel of Fortune a wise financial decision, but it's fun nonetheless!
We chatted away for a bit, enjoying our drinks, but once it was time for another round, we tried our luck with the wheel of fortune, where you can win drinks with a lucky spin. After two tries, we did end up winning two beers, announced by the ringing of the pub bell, a small but fun moment that added to the atmosphere.
The pub also has a nice darts setup, which we put to the test, along with a large projector screen showing rugby and football (soccer), making it a popular gathering place for sports fans. If you’re in Reykjavik during a big match, this is one of the best spots in town to join the crowd.
It's pretty much illegal not to play darts in an English Pub.
Earlier in the evening, the English Pub is relaxed, ideal for starting the night over a pint or two. But as the hours pass, the atmosphere changes.
At 10 PM every night, live music fills the room, the dancefloor opens up, and the pub shifts gears into a full party. This has made it a staple of the Reykjavik nightlife scene for many years.
Hot Dogs and a Night to Remember
It had been quite a few drinks at this point... but a hot dog is really the best hangover-preventer!
We had a bit of time until the live music started, so we jumped out for the best late-night snack in Reykjavik, a classic Icelandic hot dog.
We popped over to the 10/11 across the street for our break, instead of braving the lines at the famous Bæjarins Beztu hot dog stand on the nearby Tryggvagata Street. They serve the same Bæjarins Beztu hot dogs at 10/11, but there's usually a much shorter line!
By the time we returned, the English Pub was filling up, the music had started, and the atmosphere was electric. The troubadour had the crowd singing along to familiar hits, and it was clear everyone was in good spirits.
The English Pub has live performances every evening at 10 PM.
It felt like the perfect way to cap off the evening, and not long after, we decided to call it a night. With a hot dog in our stomachs and three pubs under our belts, our European bar tour of Reykjavik was complete.
For travelers, these three locations, Irishman Pub, Den Danske Kro, and the English Pub, are a great way to experience the local side of the city’s nightlife at its best. They offer good drinks, live music, and an atmosphere that’s both welcoming and full of energy. I encourage you to recreate our European bar tour during your time in Reykjavik!
Conclusion: The English Pub was a perfect final stop on our night out. The mix of spacious seating, lively entertainment, and a welcoming crowd made it a great place to end the evening. I’d gladly come back for a quiet pint in the afternoon, a spin on the wheel of fortune, or a late-night dance after the live music kicks in.
