Tales of the Table · Tales of the Table
Café Amsterdam (1991–2014) – Lost Tables
Café Amsterdam opened in the spring of 1991 on the corner of Hafnarstræti and Tryggvagata, two years after beer was legalised, and the weekly Pressan welcomed it as the newest addition to the city's bar culture – adding, helpfully, that it had nothing to do with Amsterdam despite the name. The start
Café Amsterdam opened in the spring of 1991 on the corner of Hafnarstræti and Tryggvagata, two years after beer was legalised, and the weekly Pressan welcomed it as the newest addition to the city's bar culture – adding, helpfully, that it had nothing to do with Amsterdam despite the name. The start was bumpy: by the end of May the pub had already changed hands for the third time. It found its feet with troubadours at the weekends and, over the years, turned into one of downtown's best-loved dives – slot machines at the back, a basement backstage and a stage that gave young rock bands a chance. During Iceland Airwaves it came alive, packed with off-venue and festival shows. In 2014 the old dive was renovated into Frederiksen Ale House.
Gone – the space became Frederiksen Ale House in 2014, then Bird (closed 2025)
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