Comics: Lóa & Smjörfluga
Here are the latest from Grapevine’s resident comic geniuses.
The National Gallery Of Iceland: A Burnt Down Nightclub And Two Artist Ateliers
The National Gallery is located in an old ice house turned nightclub that burnt down in the 1970s. Well, it didn’t completely burn down. It was repaired and used as […]
Meme Magic: The Icelandic Alt Reality
You may have seen these memes on your social media. They populate newsfeeds now and then when people from other countries are disgruntled about their governments, about austerity,
Hour Of The Wolf: The Dandiest Stakhanovite Of Reykjavík Nightlife
If multitasking were a sport, night owl Ólafur Sverrir Traustason would be the undisputed champion. There are few people who can juggle four jobs and still maintain a state of [&h
Music Festival On Top Of Esjan In The Midnight Sun
“I don’t know if I can do this,” Jóhanna the intern said as we boarded a small helicopter by the roots of Esjan—the mountain people of Reykjavík claim as their […]
Time Capsule: National Theatre Cellar
Built and opened in 1950, the National Theatre of Iceland stores a page of Reykjavík’s decadent history in the fiery heart of its cellar. As I step under its low […]
A Defining Moment: Húrra’s Open Mic Night Fosters Fresh Talent
In a city saturated with culture, where do the young guns go? The comedians who want to see if they’ re actually funny, or the songwriters fresh from signing in […]
Readers Write: Dear Nuclear Weapon Scientists
Dear Nuclear Weapon Scientists, I have some doubts that need to be addressed for the sake of science. In my view “I have nuclear weapons” is a wrong sentence to […]
Go Native: The Secret Icelandic Acts At The Solstice Festival
Secret Solstice, the biggest music festival in Iceland, returns this weekend. If you’re dropping in from abroad, you’ll know Foo Fighters and The Prodigy already, but maybe not
Independence Day Outside Of Reykjavík
The news that there will be police officers with loaded guns overseeing Independence Day celebrations in Reykjavík has a lot of Icelanders decidedly angry, especially as research
Modern Day Viking: Meet The Man Bringing The Past To Life
I never thought I’d get the chance to meet a king. Although he may not reign, Gunnar “Viking” Ólafsson does have royal blood. Gunnar is a living, breathing Viking based [&he
The Waiting Room: Good And Bad Surprises At Von Mathús
It is hard to decry the ills of tourism when one can today find great cafés and restaurants even in municipalities outside of Reykjavík—something that was unheard of even just
Buy Shit: Stamps, Schnapps, Gourmet Chocolate & Sheepskin Rugs
Back away from the stuffed puffin. These Icelandic products are where it’s at. Stamps Remember in the good old days, when you’d go on holiday and pick up a mighty […
Get Your Read On: Zombie Iceland & Tómas Jónsson, Bestseller
Remember: nobody on their deathbed ever said: “I wish I’d spent more time online.” Guðberger Bergsson – Tómas Jónsson, Bestseller Originally published in
Against Perfection: Poet Fríða Ísberg Raises Her Hand
Fríða Ísberg has just received the much-coveted Grassroots Grant from Icelandic Literature Center, an award intended to support new authors in publishing their first book. She a
Alexander Jean’s Perfect Day In Reykjavík
This issue’s Perfect Day is by DJ, aesthete, student of the arts and man-about-town Alexander Jean de Fontenay. “I like listening/dancing to, learning about and collecting musi
Track by Track: Lady Boy Records – Compilation #18
Featuring a diverse group of artists united only by their, uh, ties to Lady Boy Records, the label’s new cassette compilation is the perfect pick-me-up to end any music slump
Summer In Mývatn And How I Found Out I Enjoy Bird-Watching
“Great weather today,” exclaims Jakob. “It’s a perfect day for bird-watching!” It’s barely ten on a Saturday morning, and he’s already excited by the prospect of watc
Locals Disgusted: Tourists Excrete On Kindergarten
Yesterday, kindergarten teacher Fanney Ósk Ríkharðsdóttir from Egilsstaðir came to work, only to find tourists doing their business by the playground. “It’s a lot of fun t
9th Century Viking Sword Found In North Iceland
A sword dating back to the 9th or 10th century has been discovered in Dysnes by Eyjafjörður in northern Iceland, reports Mbl. Found in an ancient boat at the banks […]
New In Town: A. M. Concept Space
A. M. Concept Space is a boutique and gallery run by fashion designers Aníta Hirlekar and Magnea Einarsdóttir. Tucked away just off Vesturgata at Garðastræti 2, it’s a white