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All Iceland Rif The Freezer

The Freezer

A world-class theater sits hidden in this remote town in West Iceland.

Rif, Iceland

Added By
Erin Culley
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A cultural gem in the otherwise empty town of Ríf in West Iceland.   erinculley / Atlas Obscura User
A cultural gem in the otherwise empty town of Ríf in West Iceland.   erinculley / Atlas Obscura User
  erinculley / Atlas Obscura User
  erinculley / Atlas Obscura User
  erinculley / Atlas Obscura User
Cozy bar and hang at The Freezer   erinculley / Atlas Obscura User
  erinculley / Atlas Obscura User
  rudimarnitz / Atlas Obscura User
  rudimarnitz / Atlas Obscura User
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About

Just three hours from Reykjavik in the tiny Icelandic town of Rif, sits a world-class theater known simply as The Freezer. So named because it is housed in an old fish factory freezer, this cultural gem is the brainchild of Kári Viðarsson. 

Launched in 2010, The Freezer is a cozy bar, hangout spot, theater, performance space, and a hostel. When it comes to programming the entertainment, Viðarsson is no slouch. During the summer months, there is an event taking place every single evening.  

The Freezer, which shows performances in English, runs shows three to four nights a week. A fan favorite is the 'Journey to the Center of the Earth' musical, which takes places in the shadow of the Snæfellsjökull glacier (where the Jules Verne novel’s protagonists began their journey inward). 

On other nights, the Freezer hosts movie nights, and music nights, often playing host to some of Iceland's biggest artists. While wintertime is quieter for this remote theater, The Freezer still features music on Friday nights, movie night on Sundays, and happy hour from 6 to 8 pm, daily.

Viðarsson is also the mastermind/artist-curator behind the murals that adorn The Freezer's facade, and the old fish factory in the tiny town of Hellissandur just a few miles down the highway from Ríf.  His dream is to someday host a street festival that will feature theater, music, and art. 

 “Growing up here, I would have liked to be exposed to so much more creativity,” Viðarsson says, “this will hopefully inspire local kids to become artists themselves.”

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Theater Iceland

Know Before You Go

The Freezer is located in Ríf, which is about a 3 hour drive from Reykjavík.

Atlas Obscura Adventures

Iceland in Summer: Journey through the South Coast & the Westman Islands

Explore Iceland's Myths, Wonders, & Landscapes.

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Added By

erinculley

Edited By

rudimarnitz

  • rudimarnitz

Published

October 24, 2018

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The Freezer
Hafnargata 16
Rif
Iceland
64.922592, -23.818985
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Nearby Places

Murals of Hellissandur

Hellissandur, Iceland

miles away

Snæfellsjökull

Iceland

miles away

Svörtuloft Lighthouse

Iceland

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Iceland

Iceland

Europe

Places 148
Stories 41

Nearby Places

Murals of Hellissandur

Hellissandur, Iceland

miles away

Snæfellsjökull

Iceland

miles away

Svörtuloft Lighthouse

Iceland

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Iceland

Iceland

Europe

Places 148
Stories 41

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