Vínbúðin — Local services in Reykjavik

Aside from the obvious (snow, mountains, etc), the state-run liquor stores, widely distanced from each other, where beers are bought individually and hard alcohol is absurdly expensive, is where Iceland begins to resemble Utah. Two upsides: the wine is priced normally by American standards, and there are no open container restrictions (or much of a police presence in the streets, for that matter) so you could theoretically buy a beer for far less than it would cost at a nearby bar, and then stroll around downtown Reykjavik enjoying it. Two downsides: the above plan is hindered in enjoyment by none of the beer being refrigerated, and their highly restricted hours mean you could only pull it off in mid afternoon or early evening anyway, hardly prime drinking-and-strolling hours. Still, the only game in town is the only game in town, if you're tired of barroom prices and forgot to hit up the Duty Free on your way in, and the staff is...

I went in there with my fiance for some red wine and beer, because both of us use alckahol as a coping mechanism to stave of our crippling depression and spite for humanity. Halfway into our foray a wino lunged at me with a dirty hypodermic needle and a deranged look to his eyes, there I stood waiting for the quick end to the miserable existance gifted to me. Praying in silence I held out my arms welcoming the painless void. Unfortunately the lunatic only jabbed my hand, and not my empty hopeless heart. I am writing this from a hospital bed, AIDS infected and abandoned for my succubus fiance left me for a stronger man she found in that deranged maniac. Life could not be better, I will finally find peace, in the five years the doctor's gave me. Five stars, would come again if I had...

They gotta lotta booze but they ain’t open late/ so you gotta getitogedder cuz it’s owned by the state/ If you don’t like the bars, you can come here and pay less/ I got a great deal on some Sangiovessss/ A little red wine is the best kind of medicine/ but don’t forget to try some stuff called brennevin. I took it for a twirl now it’s somethin I’m liking/ the natives say it was like water for the...