Helsinki night life
For a city that resembles a small town, Helsinki has a surprisingly huge number of hip bars and clubs. Entry at most bars is free, but you will have to pay €2 for the “narikka” (coat check) even if you don’t have a coat.
During weekends, young travelers may have some difficulty finding a suitable place in the city center as most bars have an age limit of 20 or 22. Bars are less strict about age during weekdays. Most bars at the city center close at 4 a.m. while bars in other parts of Helsinki close at 2 a.m.
For more news on Helsinki’s night life, tourists can pick up a free copy of the tabloid City. However, they’ll need a translator as its in the Finnish language.
The following are some of the best bars in Helsinki.
Helsinki Club
Located at Yliopistonkatu 8, the Helsinki Club has been around since 1971 and is one of the oldest party places in the city. Fortunately, it keeps reinventing itself again and again to retain its relevance. It is now a club and disco that specializes in electronic music. Don’t mind the tacky wallpaper or the old carpet. To this day, the Helsinki Club still has some of the wildest parties in the city.
Kaarle XII
Better known as Kalle, this club is the favorite haunt of hard-partying thirty-somethings. It’s actually a former church and hasn’t been renovated in may years. The cavernous interiors feature six different bars and dance floors that play disco, rock, Top 40 tunes and Finnish pop. The dance floors are so small and this place is so packed that many guests prefer to dance on their tables. Kaarle XII is located at Kasarmikatu 40.
Fever
Located at Annankatu 32, Fever is currently today’s hottest club for young people in their 20s. Music is mostly hits from the Top 40 list. Unlike most Helsinki clubs, Fever is open every night.
Royal Onnela
This unique club has two distinct sections for mainstream disco and for heavy metal and rock. They also have a karaoke bar at the ground floor. Royal Onnela is a popular place to witness Finnish table-dancing. It’s located at Fredrikinkatu 48, near the Helsinki bus station.
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