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

• On a trip to Iceland, I visited American Bar, a US-themed bar and restaurant in downtown Reykjavík.
• There was decor such as an Uncle Sam statue, photos of American celebrities, and neon signs.
• The menu mainly consisted of meat, including cheeseburgers, ribs, and wings.

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. Its website says 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 such as 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.

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'd 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 such as 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 kinds, according to the restaurant's website.

Source: American Bar

The menu was heavy on meat, featuring cheeseburgers, BBQ ribs, and wings. Cheeseburgers started at 2,650 Icelandic krónor, 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."

Source: Tripadvisor

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-ey 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.

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