Vínbúð

Vínbúðin ( German: the wine business ) is a chain with 48 stores that the Icelandic alcohol and tobacco monopoly companies ÁTVR ( Áfengis -og tóbaksverslun ríkisins ) is operated with headquarters in Reykjavík. Colloquially they are called ríkið what the state does. Vinbuð is Iceland's sole legitimate dealers for the off-premises sale of alcohol. Outside this chain offer bars and restaurants serving alcohol to the. Due to high license fees however they are at least twice as expensive as the monopoly chain. The sale of alcohol under state control over the Vínbúðin began after Prohibition in Iceland from 1915 to 1922 since 1961. They belong to the ÁTVR.

Iceland has very high taxes on alcohol, which was originally intended to reduce alcohol consumption. The tax rates do not depend on the price, but are calculated in proportion to the alcohol content.