Fun and entertainment Helsinki

This building was designed by Alvar Aalto in the 1950s, and opened in 1958 after three years of construction. The building has aged rather well, with only the copper in the office wing a little blackened. This house of culture was built back then, by volunteers! Today, the 1,400-seat venue hosts a wide range of concerts, the program for which can be found on their website.

Andante is an original café-flower bar that welcomes not only local fashionistas, but also an adorable rabbit who even has his own little plywood bed among the green plants. The cappuccino and macchiato are to die for, the service is charming and the silky rodent... to die for. And for a one-way trip to Japan, we'll go for the matcha latté, which may or may not be accompanied by a delicious brioche cinnamon roll. What more could you ask for than to take your time, savour and enjoy this cosy place?

A tea room and café by day, this bar opened in 2016 and becomes a wine bar at weekends. While the clean, designer decor lacks a bit of soul, the coffee is excellent, the pastries are good and the wine selection is very appealing. Ideal for a break after a visit to the Helsinki Municipal Museum, which adjoins the café. It's a really nice place, which has kept its soul year after year, and whose success is undeniable. Don't hesitate to come and taste for yourself the lunch served during the week - you won't regret it.

The Sirdie pub is a roots pub, Finnish-style, with a friendly old-fashioned jukebox. A real institution in Kallio, far, far removed from the new wave of trendy bars that has swept through the area. The decor is very nice, with a vintage feel, wood, old posters and picture frames. It's even said that little or nothing has changed since it opened fifty years ago! It really is the kind of little local pub, not too well known and a little intimate, with a nostalgic 1960s feel.

Opened by filmmaker brothers Aki and Maki Kaurismäki, true icons of Finnish independent cinema, this bar and pool hall has an authentic, relaxed charm. Around a huge oval counter in corrugated iron, a local clientele made up of penniless cinephiles, hipsters not hipster... Behind the bar, one pool table after the other is crowded with young people. In the basement, the screening room is the venue of choice for many of Helsinki's independent film festivals. A place that moves and moves the city.

By day, local retired workers come here to whistle a few beers, hit the slots and watch the sports on the big screens. By night, the cool kids invade this unassuming bar... to whistle a few beers and hit the slot machines, play pinball or enjoy happy hour. At weekends, a DJ takes to the decks and (sometimes) transforms the premises into a fiery dancefloor. A slightly alternative address that often has some nice surprises in store, such as the exhibitions it organizes.

A good choice to start an evening in the heart of Kallio. Featuring cutting-edge electro DJs, it's an eclectic selection for this ultra-hip bar-club. And you can even get there early, as they serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. They even specialize in fresh produce and gluten-free cuisine, with plenty of vegan options. Lovely terrace in summer. And if the evening closes too early for you, good news: there's always time to end the evening right next door, at Club Kaiku.

In a beautiful setting reminiscent of a bookshop, this bar offers an incredible selection of draught beers, as well as (and above all) whiskies from all over the world. The barman will be delighted to explain the different drinks available to suit your tastes and desires. A relatively recent opening, but one that has already won over its public (especially on Friday and Saturday evenings, when the room is always packed). A great place to discover hops from Finland (and beyond). We recommend it!

The atmosphere is assured and unique in this little karaoke bar located in the city's old public toilets from the 1950s. It's a pity that the place is small, as it can fill up quickly in the evening (between thirty and forty people max) and make it difficult to sing, despite a good atmosphere and friendly staff. Good to know: good choice of drinks, but no food. In short, an address worth discovering, perhaps in passing, but which may put some people off, especially at the end of the evening with the crowds and a certain tiredness on the part of the staff.

Since 2002, Cirko - Center for New Circus has been working for the promotion and development of circus arts in Finland. In 2011, they moved to the heart of Suvilahti, in a premises of more than 1,400 ^m2. This new training centre and dedicated performance hall showcases the best in contemporary circus art and actively participates every year in the largest Nordic contemporary circus festival. Programming is always successful, we recommend!

Opened in 2007 as a former amphitheatre and cinema, the Apollo Club has quickly established itself as one of the most popular venues in the city, thanks to its unique setting and program of concerts and stand-ups. Don't hesitate to take a look at the program, easily available on the Internet or on their Facebook page. And if the day's event doesn't appeal to you, you can always head to the Apollo bar or karaoke area with family or friends! (Minimum age 24 for karaoke and bar, Friday and Saturday)

A Viennese style café, the Strindberg is a local institution, with its somewhat chic Café de Flore atmosphere, a haven for writers, publishers and other artists. At the slightest ray of sunshine, its terrace is always full, while its large interior room welcomes you for a piece of cake or lunch. Inside, one contemplates the collection of portraits and other photographs. Complete the experience by passing through the bar-library upstairs (closed on Sundays, from 11am). The place is particularly relaxing!

In summer or winter, when you're strolling through the streets of Helsinki, perhaps you've already seen the funny sight of this red streetcar where passengers seem to be dancing, having a drink or eating while traveling. If so, don't think you've been fooled: you've simply seen the SpåraKOFF streetcar go by, which is a real streetcar in disguise! Passing through the city's major tourist hotspots, it offers a quirky, out-of-this-world experience where all you have to do is hop on, sit back and enjoy the ride!

Housed in a former tramway repair workshop, this "cultural factory" offers access to everything that's happening in Finnish culture today, thanks to several exhibition spaces, three concert-theater halls and a bookshop. These yellow buildings in the middle of a quiet neighborhood are home to one of the largest cultural spaces in the Nordic region. You can also simply enjoy the trendy bar and listen to the latest DJs in the courtyard in summer, or work in the public workspace.

Why don't we get out there and have a little party? With Sun Lines, we treat ourselves to a mini disco cruise that mixes hits from the 70s and 80s. As you wish, one Wednesday evening, we embark for a meal between the Helsikian islands, we contemplate the setting sun and the magnificent colours before going dancing on the dance floor! Or if not, why not try the 100% disco and dance Friday nights. Superb walk at the same time which we enjoy fully, the sun does not set until very late in summer. Family clientele and rather middle-aged.

A literary bar? Sivukirjasto did it and it must be said that the cosy place, full of books here and there, offers a nice menu of beers from all origins for a relaxing moment with friends after work. It's hard to say whether, after a few drinks, those who passionately declaim a Shakespeare verse are true literary enthusiasts or simply in a good mood... The plus: a nice little selection of board games available to guests, ideal when you come with friends or family, for a relaxing evening or a rainy afternoon.

Torrefazione's little sister, by the same team of passionate baristas, brilliantly led by Jens Hampf. Here, in a more spacious and accessible location, you'll find freshly roasted quality coffee, Italian-inspired sandwiches and other delicacies, delicious smoothies and artisanal ice cream produced by a small company in Espoo. On Saturdays, we take the opportunity to come for brunch, or during the week, we drop in between noon and two to see what the lounas has in store for us. Friendly staff, good value for money.

This popular chain of juice and smoothie stands has a knack for concocting multivitamin cocktails that are colorful, fresh, original and always delicious. We recommend the Green Gorilla, an explosive 100% green cocktail combining mango, pear, date, mint, spinach, oak leaf and orange juice. It's enough to make even the most reluctant consumers love fruit (and vegetables)! Plus: daring combinations! To get there, take the escalators to the basement next to the Kluuvikatu entrance.

To all gourmets who will certainly hesitate between the Sacher and the lemon meringue tart, succumb to the temptation and opt for the cake buffet! Good French-inspired pastries to enjoy over tea or coffee while taking your time... It is a pleasure for the eyes, and on the taste buds, the mix of flavours is a success. Runebergintorttu, this cake from Porvoo is a delight with its amaretto notes. There are also some savoury suggestions such as quiches or cakes.

In the Katajanokka district, to the east of downtown Helsinki, in a rather quiet, residential area, you'll find the most local pub there is, where the owner and customers are surprised to see a new face arrive on a Saturday night! With a decor that smells of the sea and ships, karaoke and a jukebox (which works!), all you have to do is order and get into the mood of this place that makes you smile and want to extend the evening. Not trendy or fashionable, but authentic and therefore precious!

Did you dream about singing in a taxi? The Finns did it! Welcome to the "Mobile Karaoke", a taxi-minibus equipped like a real karaoke bar for 12 people to whom you make an appointment. For fans of the American show, it's James Corden's Carpool Karaoke atmosphere. In the long list of songs, there's a great choice in English with must-haves like the Beatles but you can also have fun on Boney M or the Village People! Ideal with friends or family, to have a real good time of fun and relaxation.

It was designed for its acoustics and built accordingly (and spring-mounted to avoid resonance from outside traffic). It is mainly used for concerts by the Sibelius Academy, the Philharmonic Orchestra and the Helsinki Radio Symphony Orchestra. The building features a large 1,700-seat concert hall with high-quality acoustics, as well as five smaller halls, an auditorium and classrooms for the Sibelius Academy.

Cinephiles, here's a nice nugget! The former Kavi Cinematheque changes its name to Kino Regina. This sumptuous Art Deco cinema has become the country's film archive. Regular screenings of themed evenings (French films in particular) and great classics from the history of cinema, as well as screenings of silent films (even propaganda films) with live concerts (a real cinema experience!). Eclectic, international programming, with screenings from the four corners of the globe, including Godard and Czech comedians!

Housed in a huge old cable factory, converted in 1992, this independent cultural center is a must-see, with several art schools, three museums (including the Museum of Finnish Photography and the Theater Museum), exhibition galleries, an excellent contemporary dance company that gives regular performances, an improv theater, the French Institute of Finland and a very popular café-restaurant.

Finland's only higher music education institution (and music library) is very well known. The students rehearse in the halls of Helsinki's new music centre Musiikkitalo. The academy was founded in 1882 by Martin Wegelius. Then, in 1939, it acquired its present name Sibelius, to honour - during his lifetime - the school's most famous former student: Jean Sibelius. Today, this prestigious school has about 1,700 students. Numerous concerts are organized during the year, the quality is there.

A long, young and friendly café. The queue is often impressive, but the service is pretty fast. You'll find soups, sandwiches and large salads, as well as delicious, hearty pastries. There are a few pleasant tables out front, where you can watch passers-by while enjoying a cake and a coffee. For gourmands and children alike, the cakes are a feast for the eyes, beautifully presented and decorated, and very good indeed. Currently under renovation, due to reopen in 2024.

The famous Café Engel is the city's most European tea room, with small tables, friendly waitresses and an excellent view of the most beautiful Senate Square and the white Lutheran Cathedral. Young bourgeois, distinguished ladies and intellectuals meet here. Hot dishes, salads and pastries are served for lunch and dinner. From late June to late September, on beautiful summer nights, Café Engel transforms its inner courtyard into an open-air cinema and its tiny back room into a (mini) discotheque.

A small neighborhood pub, popular with locals and hipsters alike, once opened by a Frenchman who has now moved to Berlin. Both an art gallery (temporary exhibitions) and a concert venue (see the program on the facebook page), the "chat noir" is an original bar with a warm atmosphere. The atmosphere here is 1970s Finnish! If you're having a party, Musta Kissa can close at 2 a.m. on Tuesdays and Sundays. On the premises, you can drink excellent craft beers, or choose a glass of wine from the wide selection on offer.

Anna K. welcomes you in a very small bar decorated in wood, which does karaoke and is frequented by regulars of all ages. The atmosphere is great and if you get going, you'll soon have fans, even if you sing off-key! Unfortunately, most of the song selection is offered in Finnish, few are in English. The karaoke stops about thirty minutes before the bar closes. Some evenings, the place can be quickly crowded, with friends, come early on weekends to better enjoy it.

A pub for everyone, frequented by 20-somethings and 30-somethings alike. All connoisseurs of Helsinki nightlife, they seem to have found refuge in this bar, which they jealously reserve for themselves. You'll soon notice that most of the customers know each other. The decor is informal, the atmosphere intimate and convivial. It has to be said that beer and wine are much cheaper than elsewhere, which makes the Finns less shy... Jazz and funk music generally. Also concerts from time to time.

This bar is a bit far from the city centre, but it's worth the detour! It is housed in a charming wooden house built in the 1910s. Before the fire of 1808, most of the buildings in the capital were made of wood. For obvious security reasons, it was later decided to rebuild the town in stone. So this bar is a kind of historical monument in itself. An address still unknown to tourists, which the locals love to frequent. The atmosphere is friendly and it is easy to chat with your Finnish neighbour.

Bier-Bier is an intimate, classy modern bar offering a fine selection of beers (and other beverages such as wine). The friendly staff know their menu inside out, so they'll be able to steer you in the right direction for what you really want to drink! The beautiful terrace (very popular in fine weather) fills up very quickly, so don't hesitate to fall back (literally) on the very, very comfortable sofas inside. An ideal address in any season, for a great time in Helsinki.

A Pac Man terminal, a disco ball, sofas, board games, music and lots and lots of entertainment: quiz nights, concerts, board game nights, days when cocktails are 50% off, all in a friendly, deeply human atmosphere, where everyone is welcomed with a smile! Open for a relatively short time, La Mouche is a surprising and unusual addition to the Helsinki bar scene: we can't wait to see how far its wings will carry it. In the meantime, we're enjoying (and loving) it!