A small comfortable bar located on the main shopping street, this restaurant regularly has local acts and while it has changed names a few times, it is one of the most popular bars in Reykjavik. Playing funky electronic music often, this bar has an energizing vibe and people often squeeze in, even if it is already crowded.

A small bar with a huge outdoor courtyard, Den Danske Kro isn’t shy about advertising its Danish roots with Dannebrogs (Danish flags) hanging off just about every available surface. Hugely friendly and with excellent beer on tap, it’s a particularly good spot for a relaxed, convivial night out.

Announced by a huge red and white sign inspired by the London Underground, this bohemian café is popular with the city's media and fashion sets. Arty, cosy and often candlelit, it’s the perfect place to meet and talk about the latest electronica bands or your new web project.

New in Reykjavik, this themed bar with tropic décor will make you feel like you’ve won an all-expenses-paid trip to Columbia. On the third floor of a building, below it sits its restaurant compadre Burro. Offering cocktails at a good price, Pablo Discobar is a popular destination for Happy Hour.

A two-floor bistro that sits in an enviable spot in the city centre, during the day Vegemot is a respectable restaurant famous for good fish but transforms into a hipster bar come nightfall. Popular with the city's cool crowds, it is famous for attracting top DJs from around the globe and stays open until 0500 on Fridays and Saturdays.

One of Reykjavik’s hottest party spots, the mosaic-walled Austur attracts a young and glamorous crowd – and just about every visiting VIP. The party starts around 2200 and continues well into the small hours with the dance floor becoming increasingly packed as the pop cranks up and the alcohol takes effect.

One of the oldest bars in Iceland, Prikid is low-key and relaxed during the day but turns into a heaving temple to boozing and dance come evening. The décor is American-lite and the dancefloor is edged with diner-style booths. Popular with a younger crowd, it gets seriously rammed at weekends.

A smaller alternative to Austur, Solon is a bar during the day but turns into a nightclub at the weekend. Named after the owner (a real character who claims to be the greatest man in Iceland), it draws a respectable roster of DJs, and a relaxed crowd. Like most clubs, it’s not the cheapest, and most people drink at home then arrive late.

The royal blue walls and moody neon lighting might give Café Rosenberg the feel of a boudoir, but an evening spent here is anything but relaxing thanks to the high-octane acts that occupy the tiny stage. Expect jazz, blues, rock and just about anything else that takes the owners' fancy.

One of Reykjavik’s most iconic buildings, Harpa sits on the harbour front and is the place to go for top-end concerts from visiting bands and musicians, as well as local talent. Seriously slick inside, it boasts incredible ocean views from the in-house bars and also hosts events – among them Sonar Reykjavik and the Reykjavik Jazz Festival.

The first, purpose-built concert hall in Iceland, Salurinn opened in 1999 and has since established itself as the top place to go in Reykjavik for cutting-edge theatre, dance performances and music concerts. Designed with acoustics in mind, it comes into its own when orchestras are in town.