NationStates Jolt Archive

Wow, I didn't know this happened here in the west. Is it true that there is only one address in the entire country where one can buy alcohol?

Vínbúð (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V%EDnb%FA%F0)

Surely a prime example of modern authoritarian socialism not working.

Wow, I didn't know this happened here in the west. Is it true that there is only one address in the entire country where one can buy alcohol?

Vínbúð (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V%EDnb%FA%F0)

Surely a prime example of modern authoritarian socialism not working.
That doesn't stop them from drinking though. They make their own alcohol at home. It's easy. Put water, sugar and yiest in a bottle.

I hope they know how to prevent acetyl and methanol forming.

A 0,7l bottle of Absolut Vodka costs 2990 krónur (34,39€). :eek:

Wow, I didn't know this happened here in the west. Is it true that there is only one address in the entire country where one can buy alcohol?

Vínbúð (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V%EDnb%FA%F0)

Surely a prime example of modern authoritarian socialism not working.

Heh, the Icelanders wrote "the only address", when they meant "the only chain of stores". The same system is in used in other Nordic countries: there is only one chain of liquor store, owned by the government. No one else but the government is allowed to sell alcohol. It's one of the worst Social Democrat moronities.

...we have the same thing in ontario. There's only one store that sells alcohol, the Lcbo, well, actually, there's the beer store too, but that's owned by the government too.

edit: I forgot about the little wine racks in grocery stores. And of course restaurants and bars can sell booze, just not by the bottle... Well, except for beer, coolers and wine i guess...

Heh, the Icelanders wrote "the only address", when they meant "the only chain of stores". The same system is in used in other Nordic countries: there is only one chain of liquor store, owned by the government. No one else but the government is allowed to sell alcohol. It's one of the worst Social Democrat moronities.
No it's THE worst moronitie.

In Washington State you can only buy hard stuff at the goverment stores, but wine and beer can be sold wherever food is sold.

They do it to prevent underage drinking.

In Washington State you can only buy hard stuff at the goverment stores, but wine and beer can be sold whereever food is sold.
Not trying to be facetious, but does that include supermarkets, or do you just mean prepared/cooked food?

I think up in BC, that its only at the Gov't owned stores aside from resturants. But you can home-brew, if you wanted too. I don't see why you think its that bad only having one store that sells booze.

Wow, I didn't know this happened here in the west. Is it true that there is only one address in the entire country where one can buy alcohol?

Vínbúð (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V%EDnb%FA%F0)

Surely a prime example of modern authoritarian socialism not working.

No, we have 46 stores in the country.

What's so strange about a common state-owned liquor monopoly?

A 0,7l bottle of Absolut Vodka costs 2990 krónur (34,39€). :eek:


Absolut Vodka
1.000 ml
4.550 kr. (ISK)

I just came from the government store and got a six pack for 2000 kr (ISK). At a bar a large beer or a pint as some call it costs 600 ISK. I spent about 4000 ISK on 5 drinks for me and my girl friend yeasterday. My buddy spent about 6000 ISK and another friend of mine about 4500 ISK.
We went to Spain two years ago and went to the store and saw the prices, each of us took a cart and took as much beer and other alc. we could put in it. It's so cheap in Europe, for us anyway.

Heh, the Icelanders wrote "the only address", when they meant "the only chain of stores". The same system is in used in other Nordic countries: there is only one chain of liquor store, owned by the government. No one else but the government is allowed to sell alcohol. It's one of the worst Social Democrat moronities.

It's the head office address you are talking about. All the stores have their address. It's on the site.

What's so strange about a common state-owned liquor monopoly?

The Americans seem to hate the idea. I think it's normal and should be owned by the government.

Swimmingpool,

I was in Dublin last august and what is the deal with all the bars and clubs closeing at 2:00? We Icelanders start to go downtown at that time and the places do not close until 5-8 in the morning.
P.S. The Irish seem to like Icelanders, the bouncers allways said "They are Icelandic. Let them in!" were as people from other countries had a harder time and the people really wanted to know all there is to know about us (not really something we wanted to talk about that much drunk out of our minds). Friendly people. really.
Oh, and love the no smoking in pubs etc. thing. :)

What's so strange about a common state-owned liquor monopoly?
It's strange to me. In New Jersey one can buy beer, wine, or liquor in privately owned stores that are licensed by the state, but owned by individual citizens.

It's so the state can get you drunk and control your mind!

The Americans seem to hate the idea. I think it's normal and should be owned by the government.

Well it makes it a hell of a lot more expensive (but I envy your opening times).


P.S. The Irish seem to like Icelanders, the bouncers allways said "They are Icelandic. Let them in!" were as people from other countries had a harder time and the people really wanted to know all there is to know about us (not really something we wanted to talk about that much drunk out of our minds). Friendly people. really.


Maybe they are all related to my great uncle, who would have drowned after his ship sunk if Iceland wasn't so close by.

It's so the state can get you drunk and control your mind!

Judging by the price I think it is the opposite (the first part anyway).

Heh, the Icelanders wrote "the only address", when they meant "the only chain of stores". The same system is in used in other Nordic countries
Ah, ok. I didn't realise that. I knew Sweden had Systembolaget but at least that is a large chain.

But the price-fixing is pretty nasty.

It's so the state can get you drunk and control your mind!
Actually, the problem is that the state is stamping out your right to consume alcohol.

Absolut Vodka
1.000 ml
4.550 kr. (ISK)

We went to Spain two years ago and went to the store and saw the prices, each of us took a cart and took as much beer and other alc. we could put in it. It's so cheap in Europe, for us anyway.
I was shocked by the extreme prices. A 0.7 litre bottle of Vodka here costs ~20 euro.

Actually, the problem is that the state is stamping out your right to consume alcohol.
No it is to keep younger people from buing it. It doesnt allways work but it keeps it to a minimum.
The legal age is 20 and that is the age to enter clubs and bars also, some places have an age limit of 21.
The govornment is not stamping our rght to drink it, you may do so but it is illegal for any other company government or not to sell any kind of alcohol, beer included.

I was shocked by the extreme prices. A 0.7 litre bottle of Vodka here costs ~20 euro.

I know, I was just giving you another egsample.

I was shocked by the extreme prices. A 0.7 litre bottle of Vodka here costs ~20 euro.
Does it really?! Damn! And here I thought booze is expensive in Finland. It's 20 euros here too. And I was thinking of moving to Ireland... phew... no need now. :)

In Washington State you can only buy hard stuff at the goverment stores, but wine and beer can be sold wherever food is sold.

They do it to prevent underage drinking.

And I'm sure it prevents undeage drinking. :D

Didn't you know? Drinking alcohol makes you become a terrorist. That's why it should be prohibited.

I don't see why you think its that bad only having one store that sells booze.

Because if they are the only ones who can sell it, they can control the price. If they have competition, the market controls the price to some degree.

The Americans seem to hate the idea. I think it's normal and should be owned by the government.

Why you think the government should own them?

Look at how much you pay compared to how much we pay. Wouldn't privately owned liquor stores cause the price to come down some if there were no government price controls? The government would still make money on the tax.

Having an alcohol monopoly maybe isn't highest on the list of things to be remedied in Nordic societies. Don't worry about it folks, we still get drunk way too often.

I was shocked by the extreme prices. A 0.7 litre bottle of Vodka here costs ~20 euro.
.75 liters of Absolut in New Jersey only costs $17-$20 American depending on where you buy it. We get drunk cheap.

.75 liters of Absolut in New Jersey only costs $17-$20 American depending on where you buy it. We get drunk cheap.
Yes, but! It feels better if you have to pay more. Believe me.

Why you think the government should own them?

Look at how much you pay compared to how much we pay. Wouldn't privately owned liquor stores cause the price to come down some if there were no government price controls? The government would still make money on the tax.

Well to understand it you really must be an Icelander. We are not like the other Nordic countries in many respects and we do not resemble the U.S., U.K., Germany etc. ... in the way we live our lives, how the government is run and how our society opperates, It is very Icelandic if you will.
You do think that our alcohol prices are high and in many ways it is if you compare it to other western nations and perhaps the world in general but the fact is that we do not think it is at all high, it is normal if you will.
A high school student that works in his or hers summer vacation can earn about 150.000 ISK or more a month depending on the job and not lower then 120.000 ISK.
An educated man or woman can make anything between 150.000 ISK to 1.500.000 ISK depending on the job, education and status so if you look at it from this viewpoint and not your own you will see that the prices are not really that high.

Oppressive Icelandic prohibition!

Don't like title.

Oppressive Icelandic prohibition!

Don't like title.

Just remember that the USA had full prohibition. No legal alcohol sales whatsoever. This explains the title somewhat.

No, we have 46 stores in the country.
Did you visit them all? ;)

Just remember that the USA had full prohibition. No legal alcohol sales whatsoever. This explains the title somewhat.

Yes, but Oppressive prohibition.
My government is not oppressive and all kinds of alcohol is legal and sold in all 46 stores in the nation.
All who are 20 and older can buy it.
The title has no standing.

Did you visit them all? ;)

I'm Icelandic, what do you think. ;)

I'm Icelandic, what do you think. ;)
I think... NO.

Just remember that the USA had full prohibition. No legal alcohol sales whatsoever. This explains the title somewhat.Ahh, full prohibition. Finland had that too for a spell in the twenties. Consumption grew during that time. My guess it did in USa too.

We have the same system in sweden with Systembolaget, having a government-monopoly on alcohol. I think it's a good idea. Substances that are known to make you lose your judgement and lose control of your actions effectively not only make you a danger to yourself but a danger to others, and in my opinion should be regulated to some degree.

The problem Sweden is having now is with the European Union. Because most southern european countries don't have government monopolies on alcohol (i'm not sure but i don't think any of them do) the laws concering "Import of alcohol for personal use" are modelled after their standards. Today, it is legal for a person to bring 10 liters of liquor, 20 liters of strong wine, 90 liters of wine and 110 liters of beer across the border EACH TIME THEY CROSS IT for personal use.

People then commit crimes by SELLING the alcohol. It isn't smuggling because the import itself is legal. The swedish police estimates that 200 000 liters of beer, 50 000 liters of wine and 10 000 liters of liquor are brought in across the border EVERY DAY and sold illegaly.

Excuse the caps, but this all pisses me off. As you all probably already gathered, i don't drink.

It's just sensationalism. The only prohibition there is for companies to make money.

Honestly, not that big a deal. The US government allows plenty of monopolies, and THOSE monopolies don't actually benefit the citizens in any way aside from the owners of the companies. At least if the government IS the monopoly there's a half chance that the money will go towards useful things.

Personally, I more prefer just putting a massive tax on it and requiring liquor-purchasing liscences that have to be updated every year, since alcohol is a drug like anything else you get in the pharmacy.

I think... NO.

http://www.vinbud.is/index.jsp?ib_page=8&idega_session_id=9063A3A845FAFEDC6ED2D41777B8E5AA

I have been to all stores.
The capital and metro area is not big and all stores are very close to each other, I also have gone the circle many times and the stores are all along the main country road.

http://www.vinbud.is/index.jsp?ib_page=8&idega_session_id=9063A3A845FAFEDC6ED2D41777B8E5AA

I have been to all stores.
The capital and metro area is not big and all stores are very close to each other, I also have gone the circle many times and the stores are all along the main country road. Good for you then. They all have the same variety in their shelves there? In here there are different kinds of stores... some are mostly vine oriented, some keep more expensive stuff (in inner cities), then there are those 'regular Joe' stores (well regular Pekka, as in Finland), etc...

Mind you, I have been in Iceland, but I just don't know. The folks there provided the booze in the parties before we went to clubs/bars (just before 2 am). :)

Good for you then. They all have the same variety in their shelves there? In here there are different kinds of stores... some are mostly vine oriented, some keep more expensive stuff (in inner cities), then there are those 'regular Joe' stores (well regular Pekka, as in Finland), etc...

Yes, they do.
All alcohol, cheap and expensive, is sold there.

The US government allows plenty of monopolies, and THOSE monopolies don't actually benefit the citizens in any way aside from the owners of the companies.

Please define "plenty of monopolies" and name a few. I'm not so sure any exist any more. Even the utility companies that used to be the biggest monopolies have broken up. I seriously cannot think of any that remain outside of government services.

Mind you, I have been in Iceland, but I just don't know. The folks there provided the booze in the parties before we went to clubs/bars (just before 2 am). :)

Ah, must have been a special occation. We never buy "rounds" as you outsiders do or give people alcohol unless there is some great occation, we think it's crazy that you do and you think it's rude that we don't. Strange.

Please define "plenty of monopolies" and name a few. I'm not so sure any exist any more. Even the utility companies that used to be the biggest monopolies have broken up. I seriously cannot think of any that remain outside of government services.
You have to pay a damn private monopolistic company several hundred bucks to take college entrance exams like SATs, LSATs, MCATs etc. which always pissed me off since I have taken several.

Ah, must have been a special occation. We never buy "rounds" as you outsiders do or give people alcohol unless there is some great occation, we think it's crazy that you do and you think it's rude that we don't. Strange.
Euhm. No rounds in a bar. We were drinking in private homes from 9 pm to 2 am every night we would go out there (that's where your compatriots provided the booze). That's not news to us Finns, but the hours were. You go clubbing much later than we here. Of course, this all was ages ago.

Having an alcohol monopoly maybe isn't highest on the list of things to be remedied in Nordic societies. Don't worry about it folks, we still get drunk way too often.
Try buying 80% "pirate rum" from Alko. Not gonna happen. Try finding a speciality wine you were served in a restaurant. Not gonna happen.

The Socialists have installed a board that can dictate what is the Finnish taste for alcohol, and if that board doesn't allow a drink, it isn't sold. The government really needs to climb down from their ivory towers and allow the market forces to work.

Sure you can order whatever wine/booze you want P-maa. Just costs more. Much more.

If the governments need to climb down and not dictate the tastes of Nordic countries, I don't know. They still allow some intellectuals visit other countries from time to time (to import wine!).

Swimmingpool,

I was in Dublin last august and what is the deal with all the bars and clubs closeing at 2:00? We Icelanders start to go downtown at that time and the places do not close until 5-8 in the morning.

P.S. The Irish seem to like Icelanders, the bouncers allways said "They are Icelandic. Let them in!" were as people from other countries had a harder time and the people really wanted to know all there is to know about us (not really something we wanted to talk about that much drunk out of our minds). Friendly people. really.
Oh, and love the no smoking in pubs etc. thing. :)
Yes, for a time there was a law requiring the clubs and pubs to close at 2am. Then the government realised that it was stupid, because it meant hundreds of drunk people being dumped on the streets all together at the same time.

I don't know we particularly like Icelanders; maybe those bouncers knew that Icelanders spent a lot of money on alcohol!

People want to know about you because Iceland is such an obscure, exotic country. Nobody knows anything about it.

Yeah, that's been law for well almost a year now. As a non-smoker, I like it in many ways.

Does it really?! Damn! And here I thought booze is expensive in Finland. It's 20 euros here too. And I was thinking of moving to Ireland... phew... no need now. :)
Ireland is one of the more expensive countries in Europe.

Why you think the government should own them?

Look at how much you pay compared to how much we pay. Wouldn't privately owned liquor stores cause the price to come down some if there were no government price controls? The government would still make money on the tax.
I can't believe that I'm agreeing with Celtlund.

In addition to lowering prices, prohibition of (almost) all forms does not actually work in solving the problem it is intended to solve. With a legal age of 20, state monopoly and price-fixing, Iceland has the most restrictive alcohol laws in Europe. Does Iceland have the lowest rates of alcohol-related social problems in Europe?

No it is to keep younger people from buying it. It doesnt allways work but it keeps it to a minimum.
The legal age is 20 and that is the age to enter clubs and bars also, some places have an age limit of 21.
The govornment is not stamping our rght to drink it, you may do so but it is illegal for any other company government or not to sell any kind of alcohol, beer included.
The government is hurting your right to drink if you are 18 or 19. They are also restricting the number of places where alcohol can be sold - thus making it harder to get.

It's pretty cool that you have been around to all the shops though!

What's so strange about a common state-owned liquor monopoly?
It's just strange to us because in our countries we don't have them.


Excuse the caps, but this all pisses me off. As you all probably already gathered, i don't drink.
What pisses you off? People drinking or people selling alcohol illegally? The latter problem can be solved by breaking up and privatising the government monopoly; the former would require a significant cultural change.

The government is hurting your right to drink if you are 18 or 19. They are also restricting the number of places where alcohol can be sold - thus making it harder to get.

It's pretty cool that you have been around to all the shops though!


It is illegal to drink under age 20! Is your government hurting the rights of people in your country that are under 18 or those who are 17? No, they are not because it is illegal. You are from a nation that has a lesser age limit and grew up with that and so did we with our limit.
You have no idea how small Reykjavík and the metro area is do you? In comparison with Dublin there is a very good location system here and many of the stores are located in mass areas. The stores in the countryside are located in very poppulated areas and it is not far for people outside those areas to go there, it's the same lengt they go to buy food.

It kind of is isn't it. I am going the circle again this summer with my friends and you know we will be going to all the stores. It will be fun to see the changes. ;)

That sounds really lame, there are quite a few private bottle stores here.. I havent even heard of government owned ones till now.

A 1 litre bottle of absolute only costs 40$ here (about 20 euro)

You have no idea how small Reykjavík and the metro area is do you? In comparison with Dublin there is a very good location system here and many of the stores are located in mass areas. The stores in the countryside are located in very poppulated areas and it is not far for people outside those areas to go there, it's the same lengt they go to buy food.

It kind of is isn't it. I am going the circle again this summer with my friends and you know we will be going to all the stores. It will be fun to see the changes. ;)
I have no idea how small Reykjavík and the metro area is, but to have only about 5 or 6 alcohol shops in the area just sounded like quite a deprivation of choice.

Damn I have got to get to Iceland. What exactly do you do when you "do the circle" with your friends in the summer?

I have no idea how small Reykjavík and the metro area is, but to have only about 5 or 6 alcohol shops in the area just sounded like quite a deprivation of choice.

Damn I have got to get to Iceland. What exactly do you do when you "do the circle" with your friends in the summer?


We have 12 stores in the capital and metro area, hardly a deprivation of choice in such a small place.
It takes me about 20 minutes to drive from one side of the metro area, through Reykjavík and to the other side. Think about it.
We are very happy with it as it is.

The 'circle' or 'hringurinn' as we call it, sometimes known as the 'golden circle' by the old Americans that make up the major tourist group that comes here after the Germans, is the a road named 'Þjóðvegur 1' or 'Country Road 1' in english that takes you the entire circle of the republic. A road that leads around the 'circle'.