Reykjavik, Iceland: Nightlife

If New York City is known as the city that never sleeps, then Reykjavik should be known as the city that comes alive. The week was so quiet, relaxed, cool. We never seemed to need a reservation, and I was beginning to think that we were staying in one of the quietest, hippest cities; I was beginning to think that Iceland might truly be the most low-key, mellow place on Earth.

Suddenly it was Friday, our last night before heading home, and we assumed an experience that was more of the same. A few drinks, some dinner, a quiet walk around the near-empty city, and eventually bed. Plot twist: not even close! It was like a totally different city! Restaurants and bars quickly filled up with more people than I could imagine. It felt as if the entire city turned into one massive dance club, and everyone was invited. The skirts became shorter, the lines forming in front of once quiet establishments grew long and wild, and cups were scattered throughout the streets and sidewalks. Reykjavik was busting at the seams.

Food trucks, a new spectacle we’d seen very little of at that point, seemed to spring up everywhere. Belgian waffles, hot dogs (of course), and my personal favorite, donuts. As a few of us were perusing our options, a man holds up a cardboard clamshell of a dozen hot and sweet mini donuts. Bingo. Do you prefer chocolate or vanilla frosting? Are you more of a caramel sauce fan? They’ve got you covered. I went with the classic vanilla frosting and rainbow sprinkles, and they immediately joined my list of favorite donuts around the world.

Walking down the street, deciding where we would go next, I couldn’t help but notice that

We popped in to The Lebowski Bar, where we found a total rager going on in the back. People were busting out their best dance moves, drinks in hand, DJ spinning mixes. It was pointed out to me that much of the music would be considered a "throwback" by our standards... I didn't mind that; I thought it added to the atmosphere.

After meeting up with a local ex-pat who was friendly enough to show us around, we hit up a couple more great dance spots and kept shaking our butts until about 3 am. Just because we called it quits, though, doesn't mean the rest of the city did!