The Icelandic Punk Museum

About The Icelandic Punk Museum

The Icelandic Punk Museum is a small exhibition in central Reykjavík devoted to the country's punk scene between 1978 and 1992. The story runs from the formation of the band Fræbbblarnir to the break-up of The Sugarcubes. It was created by a group of mostly anonymous Icelandic punk musicians and fans, and John Lydon of the Sex Pistols opened it on 11 November 2016.

The setting is part of the appeal. The museum sits underground at Bankastræti 0, in a former men's public toilet that was in use from 1930 to 2000 and then stood empty for 16 years. Locals know it as Núllið, 'the Zero', after its street number.

Inside, a one-way route takes you through the period in order, with a scrapbook look of newspaper clippings, posters, polaroids, clothing, instruments and video screens. Headphones hang from the ceiling so you can listen to the bands as you read, and visitors can try on leather jackets and play some of the instruments. Because the space is tiny, most people spend 30 minutes to an hour.

The museum is in the heart of the city centre, a few hundred metres from Austurvöllur square, the Reykjavík Cathedral and the Kolaportið flea market, so it fits easily into a walk around town. Published opening hours and ticket prices differ between sources; admission has been reported at around 2,000 ISK for adults, so check the current hours and price before you go. It is an indoor visit, which makes it a good option on a wet or dark winter day.