Tales of the Table · Tales of the Table
Þórscafé (1945–1991) – Lost Tables
Þórscafé was founded by the couple Ragnar V. Jónsson and Júlíana Erlendsdóttir, first mentioned as a restaurant in autumn 1945 on the upper floor of a building near Hlemmur with entrances on both Laugavegur and Hverfisgata; in 1958 it moved into a two-storey hall Ragnar built at Brautarholt 20.
Þórscafé was founded by the couple Ragnar V. Jónsson and Júlíana Erlendsdóttir, first mentioned as a restaurant in autumn 1945 on the upper floor of a building near Hlemmur with entrances on both Laugavegur and Hverfisgata; in 1958 it moved into a two-storey hall Ragnar built at Brautarholt 20. From 1954 the KK-sextett played five nights a week, with singers like Sigrún Jónsdóttir and Ellý Vilhjálms, and Lúdó og Stefán were just as popular after them; Galdrakarlar were later the long-time house band until they broke up in 1983. With only hotels allowed to serve alcohol it had no bar until 1976, when it got a licence, a downstairs disco and room for about 1,200, and launched Þórskabarett – a revue with Halli and Laddi followed by dancing. The family ran it for decades, with Ragnar's son Jón Ragnarsson and son-in-law Björgvin Árnason taking over in 1971. Its appeal faded around 1990, it briefly traded as Amadeus, Vetrarbrautin and Danshöllin, and closed for good in summer 1991; the building later housed Hitt húsið and Baðhús Lindu and has since been converted to apartments.
The Brautarholt 20 building was converted to apartments (approved 2020)
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