It must be an Iceland thing.
This hilarious, empathy inspiring post from the Iceland Weather Report on Alda’s last concert experience inspired a “yeah, been there,” feeling from moi.
As clockwork as the festival is itself, as in bands start on the hour, every hour, everywhere, and NEVER go past their alloted 45 (or so) minutes, the beverage buying experience leaves a lot of to be desired.
- Inconsistency is the new consistency. At least there.
- Prices though, are consistent. You should know that already. And prepare properly, hello Duty Free!
- Warm is the new cold. I know I know, no ice in Iceland? Very little actually, at least in your drinks. Whiny American? No. Just gimme some ice dammit.
Best: NASA and Lido. Selection, service and ice. Sounds like….an actual bar.
What you’d expect: Grand Rokk, Gaukurinn. Also bars. They can get wall to wall crowded fast. Don’t expect much.
Worst: The Art Gallery. Great venue, but nothing but warm beer. Enjoy.
Don’t recall: Lido. But Lido wins the “best venue to get away from it all” award. Separate chatting/drinking rooms and an actual outdoor patio where you can get some fresh air. Cozy and good acoustics. Hooray..
It’s not like the cocktail and beer buying experience is PARAMOUNT to having a good time out, or at Airwaves. So the alternative is “drinking like an Icelander,” which means at home, or in this case, your hotel. Fine, but you’ll miss the 8p, 9p and 10p bands. Maybe even the 11p. So what does a budget conscious music fan do? (Not go to Iceland Airwaves because it is so damn expensive this year? That is an option. Not a good one but an option.)
Go back to your teen years-sneak it in. Be resourceful, and by all means after you smuggle your stash into the bar, be cool. Don’t give the bouncers a reason to do their job.
