Reykjavik Gay Travel Guide: Explore Kiki, Queer Nightlife, and LGBTQ+ Hotspots

Welcome to our queer city guide series by Lex! Reykjavík may be small in size, but its queer nightlife is anything but quiet. Iceland’s capital is home to a thriving LGBTQ+ community that turns up the volume after dark, with gay bars, drag nights, and inclusive spaces that light up the long Arctic nights. From cozy cocktail lounges to all-night dance floors, Reykjavík is the perfect place to meet queer locals, discover new friends, or just enjoy a drink in a space that feels like home.

Post on Lex to find a queer date, a new gaythering, or a buddy to explore the best gay bars in Reykjavík with you. Whether you're a local or just visiting and looking for a wild weekend (or a cozy nightcap), we’ve rounded up the top spots—from iconic clubs like Kiki Reykjavík to hidden gems beloved by Reykjavík’s LGBTQ+ crowd.

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Best Areas to Explore for Reykjavík Gay Bars

The heart of Reykjavík's queer nightlife is centered around Laugavegur Street, affectionately known as "Rainbow Street." This lively thoroughfare is adorned with a permanent rainbow-painted section, symbolizing the city's commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusivity. Here, and in the surrounding downtown area, you'll find several of the city's most popular gay-friendly venues.

Top 3 Queer-Friendly Venues in Reykjavík

1. Kiki Queer Bar

Address: Laugavegur 22, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland

As Reykjavík's primary gay bar, Kiki Queer Bar is the heartbeat of the city’s LGBTQ nightlife scene. Known for its high-energy dance floor and colorful, eclectic décor, Kiki draws a diverse crowd of locals and gay travelers every weekend. It’s the go-to spot for drag shows that feature both rising local stars and seasoned queens, often blending Icelandic flair with international camp.

Themed nights keep things fresh—expect everything from 2000s throwbacks to Eurovision dance parties. Their happy hour is a favorite warm-up ritual for Reykjavík's queer crowd, offering drink specials that set the tone for a wild night ahead. Whether you're looking to catch a fierce drag show, flirt with cute gay Icelanders, or just vibe to a killer DJ set, Kiki is where Reykjavík turns up. Don’t be surprised if you end up staying ‘til close—and walking out into the midnight sun.

2. Gaukurinn

Address: Tryggvagata 22, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland

Gaukurinn is more than just a club—it’s a cornerstone of Reykjavik's alternative and LGBTQ-inclusive culture. This iconic gay-friendly venue is beloved by the queer community for its bold, boundary-pushing events that mix live music, comedy, drag, open mics, and wild karaoke nights. It’s one of the few places in the city where you can watch a punk band, catch a drag king performance, and flirt with a cute stranger all in the same evening.

As the first Icelandic venue to install gender-neutral bathrooms, Gaukurinn has long been ahead of the curve when it comes to LGBTQ rights and creating safe, sex-positive spaces. It’s not your typical gay club—there’s an underground energy here that celebrates queerness in all its forms, from radical art to unapologetic expression of identity and sex-positive freedom. Whether you're into indie shows or offbeat queer cabaret, Gaukurinn is where Reykjavik gets raw, real, and relentlessly fun.

3. Loft Hostel

Address: Bankastræti 7, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland

Don’t let the “hostel” label fool you—Loft is one of Reykjavik’s best-kept queer secrets. Located right in the heart of downtown Reykjavik, Loft’s vibrant bar and rooftop terrace are a magnet for the LGBTQ community. With stunning views of the city and a laid-back, inclusive vibe, it’s the perfect spot to kick off your night with a cocktail and watch the sun barely set in summer.

Loft regularly hosts LGBTQ events ranging from poetry nights and queer mixers to live music and sex-positive workshops, all wrapped in a warm, welcoming Icelandic atmosphere. Their happy hour is a downtown favorite, especially among gay locals and travelers looking for a casual way to meet new people. It’s not unusual to bump into artists, activists, or fellow gay adventurers here—all brought together by the bar’s charm and its commitment to building community.

Whether you're here for the cheap drinks, the chill vibe, or the chance to spark a little sex-positive conversation, Loft proves that queer nightlife in Reykjavik isn’t just about clubs—it’s also about connection.

Queer Events That Light Up the Reykjavík Scene

While the gay bars in Reykjavík like Kiki Queer Bar and others on Laugavegur are always buzzing, it’s the city’s queer events that really show off the soul of the LGBTQ community in Iceland. Whether you’re a local or a gay traveler exploring Iceland for the first time, these events are your chance to connect, celebrate, and be part of something uniquely queer and Icelandic.

• Reykjavík Pride
  Reykjavík Pride is the biggest celebration of queerness in Iceland, taking place each year in the first or second week of August. The festivities span a full week and truly take over the city—with pop-ups, workshops, parties, performances, and activist programming happening all over Reykjavík. The highlight? A massive Pride Parade on Saturday that brings out tens of thousands of locals and tourists, decked out in rainbows and joy, cheering along the streets of Laugavegur. For many gay travelers and Icelanders alike, it’s the most colorful and empowering week of the year.

• Rainbow Reykjavík Winter Pride
  One pride just isn’t enough! That’s why Pink Iceland launched Rainbow Reykjavík Winter Pride—an off-season queer festival that takes place every February and spices up Iceland’s coldest, darkest days. With drag shows, hot spring tours, Northern Lights excursions, dance parties, and intimate community events, it’s a dreamy mix of Icelandic nature and LGBTQ celebration. For gay travel in Iceland during winter, this is a can't-miss highlight.

• The Hump Day Social
  Hosted monthly, The Hump Day Social is a relaxed meetup created by and for gay men in Iceland. The venue changes with each event, but the vibe is always welcoming and easy-going—a space to sip drinks, make friends, and enjoy real community. It’s a low-pressure way for gay Icelanders and queer visitors to connect beyond the dance floor. There’s even a private group for updates, so you never miss the next get-together.

• RVK Bear
  Reykjavík Bear is a men-only event that’s all about inclusion, warmth, and (yes) bearded cuddles. It launched in 2021 after the original Bears on Ice festival ended its 15-year run, and now continues the tradition of bringing together bears, cubs, chasers, and allies. Hosted every September, the weekend includes dance parties, bar crawls through places like Kiki and Gaukurinn, spa nights, and sightseeing adventures around Reykjavík and beyond. It’s become a beloved annual gathering for both gay Icelanders and international gay travelers looking for connection and fun in the land of fire and ice.

Come for the Icelandic Scenery, Stay for the Queer Magic

Whether you're drawn by the Northern Lights or the thumping bass at a gay club on Laugavegur, Reykjavík delivers more than just a pretty postcard—it offers a thriving, fearless, and welcoming LGBTQ scene unlike anywhere else. From the iconic Kiki Queer Bar to underground performances at Gaukurinn, this city is a haven for queer joy, self-expression, and connection.

For LGBTQ locals and gay travelers alike, Reykjavík is the kind of place where a casual drink can turn into a dance party, and a drag show might end with a snowball fight under the midnight sun. Events like Reykjavík Pride, RVK Bear, and Rainbow Reykjavík Winter Pride keep the queer calendar exciting all year long—and give every reason to plan your next gay travel adventure to Iceland. Whether you're hitting a gay club for the first time, looking for community, or just want to flirt with a sexy local at Loft’s rooftop bar, there’s a place for you here.

Don’t be surprised if a night out turns into lifelong friendships, new flings, or the best drag number you’ve ever seen. Icelandic queer nightlife is bold, inclusive, and alive with the spirit of pride. So download Lex, find your people, and let Reykjavík show you just how electric LGBTQ life can be—one drink, one dance, and one unforgettable night at a time.

Find Your Perfect Iceland Plans on Lex

There’s always something queer happening on Lex. Download Lex and filter your feed by Events to see everything happening in your area. Nothing speaking to you? Take charge and make your own! Create an Event and get friends (read some tips on finding new queer friends here) together to check out a queer bar in your city. Queer cuties in your neighborhood are right at your fingertips - go meet them!

Looking for something a little less nightlife-related? We’ve got tips for sober activities, too. And check out our other city guides here.

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