Gamli Baukur

Tel.: (+354) 464 2442
Gamlibaukur(at)gamlibaukur.is
Local Homepage

The buildings Old Baukur, Little Baukur and the Ship building station, built between 1997-1999, house a restuarant and North Sailing´s head offices. The location of these buildings is unique – restaurant guests can keep an eye on local fishermen landing a catch of fish which may well turn up on the evening´s menu. Apart from fresh seafood, the menu includes a variety of meat and small dishes. The Shipbuilding station is particularly suitable for live music and many of Iceland´s best known musicians have performed here to popular acclaim. The buildings themselves are built almost exclusively from driftwood collected from the the nearby beaches of Flateyjardal and Melrakka Plains. The timber has been treated nature´s way, producing a beautiful, environmentally friendly building material without having to fell a single tree. Indoors, marine memorabilia and pictures of sea heros and boats provide the decor. Ships´ lights and copper lanterns create a special atmosphere, their rays warmly reflected on the building´s wooden panels.

The History

The original "Olde Tankard" was built in 1843 as the residence of Sigfús Schulesen, the local sherrif. Between 1885-1904 a popular eating place was run by Sveinn Magnusson and his wife Kristjana Sigurðardóttir. Benedikt Sveinssin the local sherrif, and his son, poet and entrepreneur Einar Ben, were regular customers. The name was drawn from the tankards, Little Hákon, Big Hákon and Pína, the last one refferring to the tiny size of the glass ("pína" means pain) Early in the 20th century the house was used as a domestic residence and later for storing fishing tackle. It was destroyed by fire in 1960.