Helsinki has a sky bar

It's another step towards becoming a word city. With the opening of the new Clarion Hotel in Länsisatama Helsinki got its first sky bar.

Sure there was always Ateljee at Torni, a wonderful place with an amazing view. But the atmosphere of a sky bar as you can find it in places like Bangkok, Shanghai or New York could not be found in the Finnish capital.

That changed now. With Sky Room a cocktail bar with a big city feeling opened its doors in mid October. From the low chairs and tables next to the giant windows visitors can experience a breathtaking view over the city skyline.

Besides the cocktails, which are quite out of the ordinary the some nice and hearty snacks are served up here on level 17 of the new hotel. The prices are in the higher price category. You obviously pay for the view as well. But it is worth it and I can highly recommend the visit to anyone.

Check it out and enjoy the amazing panorama!

Helsinki's coolest sauna

After months of construction a new pearl on the Helsinki coast has opened a couple of weeks ago. Löyly, the new sauna and terrace in Hernesaari is worth a visit. Its builders spared no expense to make the place as nice as possible.

The philosophy behind Löyly is to have a sauna next to the sea that is open for everyone. For that reason the owners also decided against a VIP opening party with selected guests but just opened for public right away.

Apart from the sauna Löyly is also home to a beautiful new restaurant and bar overlooking the Baltic Sea. During the summer months visitors can take advantage of the spacious terrace and enjoy food and drinks in the sunshine. During the winter months a cozy fireplace in the middle of the restaurant and the sauna heat up the guests.

A drink before the flight

The Helsinki Vantaa airport is constantly working on making traveling more relaxed and comfortable. And there is something new at Terminal 1 now.

The 60° Bar and Brewery has opened are being renovated completely and turned into a real cozy place to hang out for a drink or two before the plane leaves. Comfortable leather chairs, sofas and bar stools invite for a chat with your fellow travelers. The bar serves coffee, tea, soda and alcoholic beverages as well as snacks.

Check it out next time you come to the airport and have a nice trip!

Why join the navy when you can be a pirate?

Excellent question, right? And at the same time the name for a new bar in Kamppi at the corner of Annankatu and Eerikinkatu. At WhyJoin it is all about mixing. The specialize in smoothies and cocktails. And they definitely know what they are doing. Have a look at their menu. You will for sure find something that suits you. 

Should you wonder about the uncommon names of their drinks, such as Kalle, Victoria, Heini, Giovanni, well, those are the names of the people working in the advertising agency just on above the bar. A drink has been dedicated to each of them.

Not up for smoothies or cocktails? Then go for a good wine or beer. And if you are hungry, they also have pretty good sandwiches. So all together everything you need for a great night out.

WhyJoin is open on weekdays from 8:00 and on Satuday from 11:00 till late. Have a nice weekend!

Hell's Steam

If you don't know where to go tonight and want to try something a bit different from the usual then check out Steam Hellsinki.

The place at Kamppi opposite of Teerenpeli has changed name and concept regularly over the past years but for a couple of months now draws attention as the cities first steampunk bar. And it is definitely worth a visit.

With an eye for details the owners have put a lot of effort into sticking to the steam punk theme. Everything fits perfectly together. The bar over which a huge zeppelin hovers, the steampunk/jazz music, the decoration items in each corner, the waiters' outfits and even the bathrooms.

And if you are into gin then have a look at their extensive gin selection.

Give it a try and enjoy a cool and relaxed evening at Steam Helsinki! There is a coat charge at the entrance of 3 €.

Whiskey from Finland

Scotch? Irish? Why not Finnish instead? Yes, indeed, there is a Finnish whiskey. And not a bad one. 

Teerenpeli distills it Lahti and sells it in all their restaurants around Finland. It's an 8 year old single malt. The whiskey is made with local barley and a real Finnish product. 

Give it a try here in Helsinki at Teerenpeli either in Olavinkatu 2 or in Keskuskatu 7. Enjoy and have a nice weekend!

Brewing dogs and dead ponies

It's Friday! Looking forward for a good beer tonight? Then head to Punavuori and drop by at BrewDog. You might now their bars from other places around the world. Especially in the UK, the origin of the company, you can find their bars in many cities.

But even though BrewDog basically belongs to a chain it has a really original atmosphere to it. And the selection of beers in incredible. Aparts from a good variety of draft beer they have countless bottled ones. Many of their beers are their own productions, such as the Dead Pony Club Ales.

You can get your beer in normal but also in very small sizes which gives you the opportunity to try many different ones on the same visit.

Give it a try and have a great evening!

Small bird, huge variety

Are you up for a drink tonight? Maybe a beer or a whiskey? Then head to Pikkulintu in Eastern Helsinki. The small pub in Puotila is know all around Helsinki for its excellent beer and whiskey selection. 

Choose one out of 14 beers on tap. Like e.g. the famous and hard to get Siperia Imperial Stout brewed in Tampere. Or try one of their over 100 different whiskeys. Let the bartender help you with your choice since you most likely will loose the overview pretty fast. You can also go for one of their beer or whiskey tastings. For more information check out their website or give them a call.

Pikkulintu is by the way one of the very few independent pubs in Helsinki that are not part of any of the big retail and restaurant chains.

Enjoy and have a great Saturday night!

Loosen up for the weekend

The week is almost over and the weekend ahead. Do you already have plans for the evening? Maybe some after work drinks in the afternoon and later some live music?

Well, then you should head to Bar Loose. Located in Annankatu it is easy to reach from anywhere in the city center. Upstairs you can hang out with your friends and a cold beer from the tap. Bar Loose has good after work offers every day till 2 minutes before midnight.

Later you can go downstairs for one (or two) or their regular gigs. They have live almost every day except for Mondays and Tuesdays. Check out their program for the upcoming days and weeks.

Have a great weekend and a relaxed evening!

Shanghai Cowboy is back

Today the Shanghai Cowboy finally opens its doors again. With its modern Mexican-Asian fusion kitchen it is one of the best restaurant in town.

At the new location in Mikonkatu 4 in the basement of Könog Shanghai Cowboy also has a bar and a club that are open already since last week. Today also the famous kitchen opens again.

Drop by for their amazing food and stay to dance and party! Have a great weekend!

Teerenpeli on Keskuskatu

The construction work on Keskuskatu has finally been completed this summer. And with the new pavement new tenants arrived here as well. Now you can find a second Teerenpeli bar here as well. Teerenpeli Taivaanranta opened a few weeks ago.

It offers the same great beers, ciders as well as snacks as the place at Kamppi. Sit next to the street or choose a table in the inner yard with a glass roof over your head.

Enjoy and have a great weekend!

The best view over Helsinki

Helsinki doesn't have many very high buildings. One of the highest ones is Hotel Torni. And on the very top of it you find Ateljee Bar.

Coming up here is a must for every tourist visiting Helsinki. From both their terraces you have a great view over the whole city and can get a good overview of what is where in Helsinki. You can see all of Helsinki's main sights and neighborhoods from Linnanmäki to Kaivopuist, from Katajanokka to Lauttasaari.

But Ateljee is not only a place for tourists. Also for locals it's a great place to come from time to time to see their beautiful city from above and enjoy the view with a glass of wine or an outstanding cocktail.

To get to Ateljee Bar you have to enter from the main entrance of Hotel Torni and take the small evelator to the 12th floor. You have to climb the last steps yourself. And if you are at Ateljee don't forget to go to the bathroom. The toilets here are the most impressive in whole Helsinki.

Check it out!

Drinks and coffee on the boat

The forecast for this weekend and the upcoming days looks really good. Seems like summer is finally arriving in Helsinki. Looks like the perfect weather to spend more time on the summer terrraces.

But what about rather sitting on the sun deck of an old steam boat to enjoy your drinks in the sunshine? At Nikolai II that's possible. The boat that was built in Helsinki in 1903 serves as a cafe and restaurant since the 1980s. After having served as a tourist cafe at Kauppatori for several years it's new owners moved it to Hietalahti. Now Nikolai II is more targeting towards locals.

And they have a lot to offer. On four decks you can sit either in or outside and can experience the athmosphere of the boat no matter how the weather is. They are both a cafe and bar. So stop by to have a good cup of coffee, a fresh squeezed fruit juice or some delicious pastry or come for a beer or wine in the evening.

Nikolai II is a great summer place to go. So check it out and have a nice weekend!

Mämmi beer

Easter time is close. And you can already get into the Easter mood tonight. Instead of the usual why not have a Mämmi beer for a change tonight. Yes, you can make beer from this traditional black rye based Easter dish. And it's quite nice. 

It's called Laitilasta Kievari Mämmi and you can get it e.g. at Stone's at Keskuskatu fresh from the tab. Give it a try!

mbar terrace is open

The sun shines warmer and longer every day and the warm time of the year is starting. Now one of the most popular places to go in the center during the summer time opened again - the mbar terrace. And there is something new about it. To be able to even spend the still cold evenings on the terrace it is not equipped with awnings that keep the seating area warm also after the sun is gone. The heat is generated with Ekosäkö (renewable energy).

Check it out and welcome the spring to Helsinki!

Vin Vin's Jazz Hug

You are a fan of Jazz? And of good wine? Then today is your day. The Vin Vin bar in the center of Helsinki has it's monthly Jazz Hug gig tonight.

Manuel Dunkel (sax) and Antti Lötjönen (bass) will be jamming tonight and will get you into the weekend mood. Enjoy a glass of excellent red or white wine and lean back in one of the big arm chairs or sofas while enjoying the music. The entrance is of course for free.

Have a great and relaxed weekend!

Helsinki Music Marathon

The Helsinki Music Marathon starts today. It is one of the first music festivals of the year in Helsinki. And the best thing is that it's absolutely free. On stages in six different bars and pubs around town dozens bands will perform for three days (until Saturday).

The gigs take place at Henry's Pub, Bar Loose, Base Bar, Hard Rock Café, Le Bonk and Pub Adjutantti. To see the whole program and find out who performs where and when check out the timetable from the official website.

Enjoy!

The light sign

At some later hour in a bar or pub the light might suddenly go off - just for a second. More mysterious even that this happens all over Finland all the time. A phenomenon that has to be explained to foreigners.

Well, when I arrived to Finland and first encountered the light sign I really though there was a power cut or something similar. But this is just the normal way in Finnish bars and pubs to show that the last round just started. After that you still have half an hour before the place closes. Soon after the light sign the music will be turned off and the ugly bright lights will be switched on.

Have a nice evening and enjoy the time till the light sign!

A feel of Paris

Hotel bars are probably the most underrated bars in cities. Even if their might actually be quite nice. Helsinki also has a few of those hidden beauties. One of them is Bar Socis inside Hotel Seurahuone. 

The hotel is located right in the heart of Helsinki next to Sokos and around the corner from the main station. After entering you can already see the bar straight ahead. Bar Socis has a real Paris feeling to it. And that is not just due to the French music played here. The bar has a round shape and is covered by a beautiful colored glass ceiling. The center of the bar is a small fountain covered in blue and green light around which comfortable sofas and armchairs are placed.

You can get various cocktails and of course wine and beer here. Prices are a bit higher then elsewhere in the center. The atmosphere is really something though and worth to spend at least an hour.

Check it out and have a nice weekend!

A toast to the weekend

Would you like to welcome the weekend with a sparkling glass of cava? Then come to Casa Largo in the Sokos building right in the city center. They have a special offer of just 3,50 € per glass. And that not just for Friday but every day of the week.

So if you miss it today, don't worries. You should still have lots of opportunities.