Midnight struck again in Reykjavík, when the sun seemed to be setting and rising at the same time. At the very top of the hotel is The Roof, a panoramic bar that feels purpose-built for the occasion. From here, the city stretched out below like a map: the formidable silhouette of Hallgrímskirkja rising above the streets, Harpa Concert Hall shimmering on the harbour’s edge, and the looming majesty of Mt. Esja across the water. Cocktails are inspired by Icelandic themes, from Basalt — a vodka, raspberry, and vanilla skyr creation — to Aurora, made with blue gin, cucumber, basil, and citrus. Over a supposed nightcap, I immersed myself in the quiet energy of Reykjavík and its understated beauty. Few places in the world, let alone Europe, offer such serenity at the height of summer; in Iceland, that stillness arrives in abundance.
