I visited Iceland from the US and went to an American-themed bar. I've never felt more like a tourist.

Talia LakritzAug 7, 2023, 22:23 IST

I visited an American-themed bar and restaurant in Iceland.Talia Lakritz/Insider

On a trip to Iceland, I visited American Bar, a US-themed bar and restaurant in downtown Reykjavík.
There was themed decor like an Uncle Sam statue, photos of American celebrities, and neon signs.

American tourists don't always have the best reputation abroad, but it can be amusing to see how other countries view US culture.

Doing some research ahead of a trip to Iceland in June, I came across a US-themed bar and restaurant — aptly named American Bar — in downtown Reykjavík. According to its official website, American Bar "captures the American spirit; land of the free, home of the brave."

Like the UK's American Food Store and American grocery-store sections in countries like Thailand, the establishment pays tribute to US-style cuisine, and its central location likely aims to give American tourists like me a taste of home.

Naturally, I had to check it out. Here's what I found.

While I was doing some research for things to do in Iceland, I came across American Bar. In the heart of downtown Reykjavík, the bar is about a six-minute walk away from the famous Rainbow Street.

The exterior of American Bar in Iceland.Talia Lakritz/Insider

While I was doing some research for things to do in Iceland, I came across American Bar. In the heart of downtown Reykjavík, the bar is about a six-minute walk away from the famous Rainbow Street.

I knew I was in the right place when I spotted a giant Uncle Sam statue outside the door. The American flags were also a giveaway.

An Uncle Sam statue outside American Bar.Talia Lakritz/Insider

Inside, the spacious bar had over 100 seats, a combination of old-school diner booths, tables, and barstools. The layout reminded me of diners I've been to in New York City.

Seating inside the bar.Talia Lakritz/Insider

Inside, the spacious bar had over 100 seats, a combination of old-school diner booths, tables, and barstools. The layout reminded me of diners I've been to in New York City.

True to its theme, American-themed decor, such as this Statue of Liberty replica, was everywhere. To me, it looked like restaurants in NYC's Times Square.

A Statue of Liberty replica in Iceland's American Bar.Talia Lakritz/Insider

The sports and hunting paraphernalia that decorated the space — combined with dim lighting and country-rock music — made me feel like I was in a sports bar in the US.

Sports-themed decor at American Bar in Iceland.Talia Lakritz/Insider

The sports and hunting paraphernalia that decorated the space — combined with dim lighting and country-rock music — made me feel like I was in a sports bar in the US.

On one wall, a mural depicted a collage of Mount Rushmore, a bald eagle, a baseball, a football, and a hot dog.

An American-themed mural.American Bar in Iceland.

On another, a neon sign read "Life is short, drink early" above black-and-white portraits of American celebrities like Dolly Parton and Jake Gyllenhaal.

Decor inside the bar.American Bar in Iceland.

I wasn't drinking because I was driving that day, but I was impressed by American Bar's beer selection. The bar offers over 50 different kinds, according to the restaurant's website.

American Bar in Iceland.Talia Lakritz/Insider

I wasn't drinking because I was driving that day, but I was impressed by American Bar's beer selection. The bar offers over 50 different kinds, according to the restaurant's website.

Looking at the menu, it was heavy on meat, featuring cheeseburgers, BBQ ribs, and wings. Cheeseburgers started at 2,650 ISK, or about $20, which is comparable to New York prices.

The American Bar menu.Talia Lakritz/Insider

Looking at the menu, it was heavy on meat, featuring cheeseburgers, BBQ ribs, and wings. Cheeseburgers started at 2,650 ISK, or about $20, which is comparable to New York prices.

I didn't have time to eat on my visit to the bar — which earned a Tripadvisor Travelers' Choice award in 2022 — but many seem to be fans of the food. One Tripadvisor reviewer said the bar had "great burgers," and another recommended the ribs, calling them "deliciously tender and flavorful."

A sign inside American Bar in Iceland.Talia Lakritz/Insider

I didn't have time to eat on my visit to the bar — which earned a Tripadvisor Travelers' Choice award in 2022 — but many seem to be fans of the food. One Tripadvisor reviewer said the bar had "great burgers," and another recommended the ribs, calling them "deliciously tender and flavorful."

On the way to the bathroom, I noticed this "Wonder Woman" mural in the hallway. I thought it helped balance out the bar's bro-y theme.

A mural of Wonder Woman.American Bar in Iceland.

The American theme carried through to the bathroom, where the walls were covered in US license plates from different states.

American Bar in Iceland.American Bar in Iceland.

As an American visiting Iceland for the first time, I enjoyed the novelty of visiting a US-themed spot abroad. While the bar's portrayal of the US was a touch exaggerated, it still managed to make me a bit homesick.

At Reykjavík's famous Rainbow Street.Talia Lakritz/Insider

As an American visiting Iceland for the first time, I enjoyed the novelty of visiting a US-themed spot abroad. While the bar's portrayal of the US was a touch exaggerated, it still managed to make me a bit homesick.

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I visited Iceland from the US and went to an American-themed bar. I've never felt more like a tourist.

While I was doing some research for things to do in Iceland, I came across American Bar. In the heart of downtown Reykjavík, the bar is about a six-minute walk away from the famous Rainbow Street.

I knew I was in the right place when I spotted a giant Uncle Sam statue outside the door. The American flags were also a giveaway.

Inside, the spacious bar had over 100 seats, a combination of old-school diner booths, tables, and barstools. The layout reminded me of diners I've been to in New York City.

True to its theme, American-themed decor, such as this Statue of Liberty replica, was everywhere. To me, it looked like restaurants in NYC's Times Square.

The sports and hunting paraphernalia that decorated the space — combined with dim lighting and country-rock music — made me feel like I was in a sports bar in the US.

On one wall, a mural depicted a collage of Mount Rushmore, a bald eagle, a baseball, a football, and a hot dog.

On another, a neon sign read "Life is short, drink early" above black-and-white portraits of American celebrities like Dolly Parton and Jake Gyllenhaal.

I wasn't drinking because I was driving that day, but I was impressed by American Bar's beer selection. The bar offers over 50 different kinds, according to the restaurant's website.

Looking at the menu, it was heavy on meat, featuring cheeseburgers, BBQ ribs, and wings. Cheeseburgers started at 2,650 ISK, or about $20, which is comparable to New York prices.

I didn't have time to eat on my visit to the bar — which earned a Tripadvisor Travelers' Choice award in 2022 — but many seem to be fans of the food. One Tripadvisor reviewer said the bar had "great burgers," and another recommended the ribs, calling them "deliciously tender and flavorful."

On the way to the bathroom, I noticed this "Wonder Woman" mural in the hallway. I thought it helped balance out the bar's bro-y theme.

The American theme carried through to the bathroom, where the walls were covered in US license plates from different states.

As an American visiting Iceland for the first time, I enjoyed the novelty of visiting a US-themed spot abroad. While the bar's portrayal of the US was a touch exaggerated, it still managed to make me a bit homesick.