Kippis! These are the best bars in Helsinki

What is it? A compact cocktail den on Erottaja that excels at perfectly balanced drinks.

Why we love it? Author Satu Rämö recently named Liberty or Death Helsinki’s best bar in a Time Out interview, claiming she’s likely worked her way through the entire menu. She’s not exaggerating. These cocktails are in a league of their own – truly world-class drinks that are worth traveling for.

Time Out tip: If you can tear yourself away, use Liberty or Death as a springboard for a cocktail crawl. The same street boasts the city’s densest concentration of top-tier bars. Just steps away, you’ll find Chihuahua Julep, Moss, and Grotesk, with Bar Mate just around the corner. Each of the five has its own dedicated following.

Erottaja 5, Kaartinkaupunki. Open every night.

What is it? A small and atmospheric sake bar that also serves excellent food.

Why we love it? This is Helsinki’s most immersive bar experience – such an authentic izakaya that you could easily imagine it being in Tokyo. Luckily Sake Bar & Izakaya is in Kruununhaka, just a tram ride away instead of a flight to the other side of the world. Japanese izakayas are bars where you drink and eat a variety of small dishes at the same time, and the food here is so good you could come just to eat. Still, the real heart of the experience is the sake, introduced by the servers with the same care usually reserved for fine wines.

Time Out tip: At the start of your meal, choose your own sake cup from the wide selection. The sake is served in small carafes holding about two cups’ worth – perfect for sharing, so you can taste twice as many varieties for the same price.

Vironkatu 11, Kruununhaka. Open Thu–Mon 18:00–00:00. Expect to pay €7–€20 for small plates, €49 for a seven-course menu.

What is it? A flamboyantly queer cocktail bar on Fleminginkatu where anyone with a love for the theatrical will feel right at home.

Why we love it? Tiny, extravagantly decorated Bar Struts is packed with atmosphere. Chandeliers hang from the ceiling, and on the walls are paintings that, on closer inspection, reveal scenes of bondage and other delights that lead you gently away from the vanilla. There’s even a jet engine hanging among the stars on the ceiling – a leftover from the bar’s previous aviation-themed incarnation. Expect excellent cocktails and the occasional cabaret show (on what’s surely Helsinki’s smallest stage). Every now and then, the bartender might even burst into song to end the night.

Fleminginkatu 13, Kallio. Open Tuesday to Saturday.

What is it? Helsinki’s only speakeasy comes with a playful backstory.

Why we love it? As it should be, there’s no sign on the door, just a small entrance where you ring a buzzer. After a pause – sometimes a long one – a little hatch in the wall opens, and eventually you’re ushered into a cocktail bar styled as a 1900s detective agency named Trillby & Chadwick. According to the bar’s backstory, two British detectives were hired during Finland’s prohibition era to crack down on bootlegging, but ended up selling their confiscated liquor instead. It’s a full-blown bar experience.

Time Out tip: It’s a great place to visit also solo and sit at the bar – many travellers do. The service is top-notch.

Katariinankatu 1D, Kruununhaka. Open every night until 01:00 or 02:00. Expect to pay around €17 per cocktail.

What is it? Siltanen is the trendiest hotspot in Kallio’s hipster zone and an important place to see and be seen.

Why we love it? Siltanen is the kind of place you arrive at to kick off the evening, grab something to eat and enjoy gigs and all sorts of events. As the night goes on, the disco ball starts throwing its beams across the walls and the tables are pushed aside to make room for dancers. In summer, Siltanen’s iconic terrace becomes one of the most packed meeting spots in Helsinki. But you simply have to make it there, because that’s where everyone is.

Time Out tip: It’s worth checking Siltanen’s website for the full events calendar. Especially at weekends there’s plenty going on: DJ sets, gigs, bingo and, for example, the popular Pitch & Match dating event by Tatskatytöt.

Hämeentie 13 B, Kallio. Open Wed–Thu 19–23.30 and Fri–Sat 20–3. Note that during events there may be an entrance fee on the door. In winter the kitchen is closed.

What is it? A modern beer house in Hakaniemi featuring around twenty taps with a constantly rotating selection of craft specialities.

Why we love it? Texan, bearded bartender Will Torrey welcomes guests and makes everyone feel right at home. Of course, the bar’s countless taps and the high turnover of beers play a part too. There is no better place for beer tasting, as at Haka, you can order beers in 10cl glasses – at the same litre price you would pay for a full pint. And don’t worry, Will doesn't mind pouring the small ones at all. As he puts it: ‘It’s totally fine! Many people want to taste the beers without getting drunk.’

Time Out tip: There is an English-language pub quiz every other Wednesday, and you can check the Untappd app to see exactly what’s on tap at Haka at any given time.

Toinen linja 7, Hakaniemi. Open daily from 12:00 or 14:00.

What is it? A bar specialising in rum and high-quality cocktails, with a carefully thought-out concept yet a warm, relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.

Why we love it? The first impression in HogoHuone can feel slightly connoisseur-focused, as with many cocktail bars, but it soon becomes clear that the service here is genuinely relaxed and chatty. The bartenders are passionate about their seasonally changing cocktails, and the place has a strong sense of entrepreneurial spirit. The concept has been carefully considered down to the interior design, and it even smells good in here. The name Hogo comes from the French haut-goût, meaning ‘high taste’. The term is used especially to describe the funky, powerful aromas found in certain rums, such as those produced in Jamaica.

Time Out tip: Fans of savoury cocktails should try the Bloody Mimi – a spicy, umami-packed take on a Bloody Mary. If there’s anywhere to order a particularly good one, it’s here. At HogoHuone it’s finished with ingredients such as Dijon mustard. For something sweeter, go for the creamy, tropical Saffrolada flavoured with saffron, or its mocktail counterpart Saffrolassi.

Viides linja 7, Kallio. Open Mon 18–24, Wed–Thu 18–24 (sometimes later) and Fri–Sat 17–2.

What is it? Helsinki’s best sports bar, tucked away in Vallila.

Why we love it: Fat Tony’s was born when Wolt co-founder Tony Honkanen and a friend were discussing where to go after the gym for food, drinks and a game of darts. They couldn’t think of a single place that ticked all the boxes. So Tony decided to build his dream sports bar himself. No expense, effort or attention to detail has been spared. The result instantly launched Fat Tony’s into a league of its own among Helsinki’s sports bars. The atmosphere is stylishly diner-inspired, the food is genuinely good and remarkably affordable, and there’s plenty to keep you entertained, from racing simulators and dartboards to pool tables.

Time Out tip:  Despite being a sports bar, Fat Tony’s is stylish and welcoming enough to bring along even those friends who would normally turn around the moment they saw the words “sports bar” above the door.

What is it? Three hospitality pros run this lively cocktail bar in Kallio, with a strong focus on food.

Why we love it? Twenty Four Social Club takes its name from its 24 seats – although there are actually 25 – and from its relaxed, sociable atmosphere. The place was born with the right kind of attitude: when a suitable restaurant space became available, Kim Päivästö, Mika Koivula and Kenneth Löfström decided to open a place of their own. They kept the furniture left behind by the dumpling restaurant that previously occupied the space and have gradually tweaked the interior to make it their own. The inventive dishes mix European and Asian influences. The flavours are spot on, but portions are fairly small, so order a few if you arrive properly hungry.

Time Out tip: We love the €15 ‘staff meal’, which is exactly what the name suggests: the same dish the team themselves are eating.

Kolmas linja 6, Kallio. Open Wednesday to Saturday. Expect to pay €5–€24 for dishes.

What is it? Right next to Hakaniemi metro station, Tokoi is both a bar and a vintage shop. By day, you can browse homeware and admire the furniture over a cup of coffee; come evening, the wine and beer start flowing.

Why we love it: Pretty much everything around you is for sale: the tables, the lamps and even the armchair you’ve just dropped into. It gives Tokoi a wonderfully distinctive atmosphere. The mismatched vintage furniture and lighting, arranged with a playful eye, create a warm, slightly off-kilter feel – a bit like Alice in a design wonderland.

Time Out tip: If you fall hard enough for your armchair during the evening, you can simply buy it and take it home. On a beautiful summer night, carrying a chair through Helsinki and stopping every now and then for a park beer might not be such a bad idea. In January, the plan may feel slightly less inspired.

What is it? A listening bar equipped with high-end audio, located within the old Arabia porcelain factory.

Why we love it? Ambient is the passion project of DJ and music tastemaker Jaakko Hurme. It draws inspiration from Japan’s legendary ‘jazz kissa’ bars, where the focus is on a perfectly tuned sound system. It serves as an ideal escape from a world filled with noise. While conversation is welcome, the music is curated in a way that naturally invites you to pause your chatter and truly lose yourself in the sound.

Time Out tip: Arabia is perfect for a mini bar crawl; alongside Ambient, the same historic red-brick factory buildings house another great spot, Tired Uncle Taproom.

Hämeentie 133, Arabia. Open evenings from Wednesday to Saturday.

What is it? The Tislaamo bar is located in the Teurastamo district, right alongside The Helsinki Distilling Company, which produces its own gins and whiskies.

Why we love it? This red-brick building has previously served as both a soap factory and a car wash. Now home to Tislaamo, it is perhaps Helsinki’s most ‘New York’ bar – the kind of place where a blind superhero like Daredevil might find himself in a brawl (after all, we are at Teurastamo, Helsinki’s version of Hell’s Kitchen). The atmosphere is shaped by brick walls, tiles, large windows, and mirrors – rugged yet stylish all at once. The lighting creates a perfectly mysterious vibe.

Time Out tip: Naturally, the bar specialises in Gin & Tonics made with the distillery’s own gin. There are several excellent variations available to sample.

Työpajankatu 2 A, Teurastamo (Kalasatama metro). Open evenings from Wednesday to Saturday.

What is it? Located on Iso Roobertinkatu, Hi-Hat Art Bar combines a bar, art gallery and intimate performance space under one roof.

Why we love it: The theatrically decorated interior feels like a cross between 1920s glamour and a bohemian artists’ club. A colourful mural depicting a mysterious garden covers the walls alongside changing artworks, the piano regularly gets put to use by jazz musicians, and the programme can feature anything from classical music to rap.

The founders come from the worlds of visual and performing arts and spend plenty of time behind the bar themselves, giving the place an unusually personal feel. A particular aim is to provide a platform for emerging artists. The striking mural by Helsinki-based Danish artist Cecilia Ebbe Belinskij provides the backdrop to a space that the owners want to keep evolving, like a garden changing with the seasons.

The drinks list doesn’t try to be the longest in town – nor does it need to be. Hi-Hat’s greatest asset is its atmosphere, and it delivers that in spades. It’s also an intriguing addition to Iso-Roba, which is fast becoming one of Helsinki’s best streets for bar-hopping.

Time Out tip: Come on a night when there’s a live performance. At its best, Hi-Hat feels more like an intimate salon than an ordinary bar.

Iso Roobertinkatu 3–5, Punavuori. Open Wednesday to Saturday from 5pm.

What is it? A bar inside the House of Text, a hub for writers, where young authors, art students and hipsters mingle – but everyone’s welcome.

Why we love it? A wall mural inspired by the legendary Finnish artist Hugo Simberg replaces his famous garden of death with a bar run by skeletons. The atmosphere is hipsterish in the best possible way, with no hint of pretension. There’s a DJ spinning records, candles glowing and a wonderfully mixed crowd. On busier nights, the back room turns into a dance floor.

Time Out tip: Bar Tÿpo sits on the same old factory site that houses the city’s top clubs – Siltanen, Kaiku and Post Bar – so it’s easy to continue the night from here. Especially in the last two, the house beats keep dancers going well into the morning.

Lintulahdenkatu 3, Tekstin talo, Sörnäinen. Closed on Sundays.

What is it? A discreet cocktail bar with fantastic drinks – and a strict no-phone policy.

Why we love it? Erottaja has Helsinki’s densest cluster of cocktail bars. Right next to Chihuahua Julep are Liberty or Death and Moss, with Grotesk and Bar Mate just around the corner. Each of the five has its devotees, but our pick is the most low-key of them all. The door bears only a small sign, and entry is by buzzer. Inside, the tiny and charming bar enforces a full phone ban – mobiles are sealed in pouches upon entry. The reason isn’t an A-list clientele hiding inside, but the owners, Minna Kettunen and Jami Järvinen, wanting guests to be fully present in the moment. That same sense of conviction extends to the drinks: all spirits come from the Americas – tequila, mezcal, rum and bourbon. There’s no vodka, gin or Scotch here. Each cocktail comes with a small ‘drink tapas’, a bite designed to complement the flavours of the drink.

Time Out tip: Come early – or very late – especially on weekends, as the bar is small and popular, and there’s not always room. And bring cash or a card: you really can’t use your phone here, not even to pay.

Erottajankatu 9, Kaartinkaupunki. Open Tuesday to Sunday.

What is it? Next to Sörnäinen metro station, Harju8 is a café by morning, restaurant by day and Kallio’s favourite bar by night.

Why we love it? Candles flicker on the tables, the atmosphere is electric, and it’s always full – yet somehow there’s always room, as there are no reservations and everyone makes space. Alongside your drinks, definitely eat: the food is pretty good and delightfully affordable. The pesto pasta is just €10! Red-lit stairs lead to a small basement that doubles as a natural wine bar and dance floor. Once a month, you might stumble into one of the city’s best surprise parties, when the house band funks and grooves like there’s no tomorrow.

Time Out tip: The menu is mostly veggie. Some dishes can be a bit of hit-and-miss so play it safe, and go for the tofu skagen – a fantastic dish where crispy potatoes meet tangy, creamy skagen.

Harjutori 8, Kallio. Open daily 11:00–23:00, until 02:00 on Fridays and Saturdays. Expect to pay €12 for the tofu skagen.

What is it? This bar, run by film producers in the Teurastamo district, is decorated with rare vintage movie posters.

Why we love it? ‘This is a sort of classy dive bar,’ one of the owners once said about B-Side Bar, hitting the nail right on the head. Located in what used to be the sauna facilities for the wholesale market workers, the bar is so atmospheric that it is worth the trip even from further away.

Time Out tip: The selection of American whiskies is still good, even if it is no longer quite as ambitious as it was in B-Side Bar’s early days.

Työpajankatu 2, Teurastamo (Kalasatama metro). Tue–Thu 16–23 and Fri–Sat 15–02:00.

What is it? A playful bar tucked away in the far corner of Punavuori, accessed through a laundromat.

Why we love it? To be honest, the best part of Bob’s Laundry is the entrance, decorated with washing machines and clotheslines. But that is enough to put anyone in a good mood. The theme extends to the cocktail list, which is designed to look like a laundry tag. The drinks have fun names like ‘Made in China’, ‘My Detergent’, and ‘The Lost Stock’. One drink is even titled ‘No Karen, you can’t talk to the manager’. Actually, now that it’s mentioned, one might want to talk to the manager about the fact that the cocktails arrive here pre-mixed in Estonia.

Points are also given for the location in the quieter part of Punavuori; the area is home to great restaurants like BasBas and Nolita, but few other nice bars. This makes it a great spot to head to after a good dinner.

Time Out tip: At Bob’s Laundry, you can actually do your laundry for the price of a drink.

Merimiehenkatu 40, Punavuori. Open Tuesday to Saturday.

What is it? Catfish is a refined cocktail bar located in the basement of restaurant Farang.

Why we love it? Catfish has that big-city feel in a very stylish and intimate space set partly below street level. Alongside high-quality cocktails, you can order both small and more substantial bites, even from upstairs at Farang. The Southeast Asian flavour profile of the restaurant carries through into Catfish’s tropical yet modern drinks list and snack selection.

Time Out tip: A great spot for lingering and soaking up the atmosphere is at the bar counter, where it’s fascinating to watch the professionals at work.

Arkadiankatu 6, Kamppi. Open Mon–Thu 16.30–24 and Fri–Sat 16.30–2. Expect to pay 15-18 euros for cocktails. Reservations are not accepted for groups of fewer than 10 people.

What is it? This nightclub is a reliable choice for Helsinki locals in their twenties and thirties when the plan is to enjoy great music. Here you can truly focus on the essentials: the music. And perhaps lose track of time.

Why we love it? At Kaiku the atmosphere is cosy, dimly lit and stylish. The nightclub has an open vibe, and on the dancefloor you can immerse yourself in the music as your true self. Kaiku’s current and ever-changing mix of house, groove and techno draws you onto the dancefloor and keeps you there. The music is handled by a rotating line-up of top Finnish and international DJs. Kaiku has an appealing underground feel and also offers more alternative sounds, without diving straight into the deep end.

Time Out tip: Kaiku is located in an old factory building and forms part of a cluster of bars and nightclubs known as ‘Kompleksi’, where you can spend the night (and often the morning too). Alongside Kaiku, the area includes Siltanen, Kuudes Linja, Post Bar and Stidilä. The venues share plenty of similarities in music and atmosphere, but each has its own nuances.

Kaikukatu 4, Kallio. Open Fri–Sat 22–4.30. It’s best to buy tickets in advance unless you arrive right at 22 to beat the queue.

What is it? A beer lover’s paradise in Ruoholahti – and, according to many, the best beer bar in the whole country.

Why we love it? One Pint Pub has been at the top of Finland’s beer scene for 30 years. For the past 15, it’s been run with love and dedication by brewmaster Allu Montien, who’s often found behind the bar himself. Of the 15 taps, 12 are carefully curated and constantly changing, many pouring rare brews. There are also permanent taps for Krombacher and One Pint’s own beers, Alpo’s IPA and Redneck. The fridges are crammed with an impressive range of bottles and cans. The atmosphere is warm and easy-going, helped along by Montien’s knack for chatting with customers. This small bar also hosts regular live gigs.

Sinikaislankuja 2, Ruoholahti. Open daily.

What is it? How many people actually eat well during or after a night out at a bar? At Last Drop, it’s entirely possible, as you can enjoy quality drinks and proper food right down to the last drop.

Why we love it? Forget the limp double cheeseburgers and cold sausage-and-chips that often follow a night at the bar. Here, you can spend the evening enjoying restaurant-level dishes well into the small hours. Opened in August 2024, Last Drop describes itself as a high-energy bar, and for good reason: the music is loud, the service relaxed, fun and knowledgeable, and the interior stimulating to the eye, with plenty of details to take in. Drinks are made to order, and the kitchen serves Asian-influenced dishes in portion sizes that won’t leave you overly full halfway through the night. The tiger prawn wonton tostadas and drunken noodles were both excellent with a good drink.

Time Out tip: The drinks list was refreshed at the end of February, and the venue has recently added a karaoke room as well.

Ludwiginkatu 3, Kaartinkaupunki. Open Fri–Sun 18–5. The kitchen stays open until 4.

What is it? Ääniwalli is a well-known live music venue, but above all it’s one of Helsinki’s best underground-style clubs.

Why we love it? Ääniwalli’s programme includes live gigs, but also weekly changing music events every weekend that showcase the best of club and dance music deep in Vallila’s industrial district. On club nights, the music ranges from trance to techno and house, and sometimes even Finnish schlager (Paha Vaanii). In summer, Ääniwalli’s courtyard comes alive with hugely popular open-air club nights. The venue’s concrete, brutalist interior is striking. Drinks are slightly on the pricey side here – the cheapest draft beer, a pint of Aura, costs 8.70 euros. The bar serves all the usual signature drinks, but this is really a place to come for the music and dancing.

Time Out tip: It’s worth getting tickets in advance here too. Prices vary depending on the event, and buying ahead is recommended, as tickets are more expensive on the door.

Pälkäneentie 13 B, Vallila. Open according to events.

What is it? Gate H11 is the Kallio sibling of Annankatu’s Gate A21, where the aviation theme continues, though the atmosphere is slightly more relaxed.

Why we love it? Gate H11 is a paradise for fans of craft beer. There are plenty of taps to choose from – 18 in total. The rotating beer selection is displayed in a fun way on a screen resembling an airport departures board. Alongside beer, the crowd is drawn in by the exotic cocktail menu designed by the staff, as well as weekday after-work deals. The bar is an energetic starting point for the evening, with a nightclub-style interior complete with disco balls and neon signs. At weekends, DJs help lift the atmosphere even further.

Time Out tip: Mondays can be packed, as all drinks are 40% off after-work prices from 20 onwards.

Helsinginkatu 11, Kallio. Open Sun–Thu 16–2 and Fri–Sat 15–4.30.

What is it? Quite possibly Helsinki’s smallest bar.

Why we love it? Eclectically decorated and visually striking, this pocket-sized bar is so tiny you’ll end up chatting with strangers – especially since a large velvet sofa takes up most of the space. Meeting new people here tends to pay off; the crowd is always interesting as you don’t just stumble upon Kuuttila by accident. Everybody has a story to tell.

Time Out tip: Kuuttila is famous for its chilli shots, which people travel to try. They’re so fiery that the person who ordered one often can’t finish it – and ends up passing it around for everyone else to taste.

Vilhovuorenkatu 7, Sörnäinen. Open Thursday to Saturday.

What is it? A streetwise brewery bar in Vallila’s Konepaja area.

Why we love it? Worn-in furniture, graffiti, skate art and a view of the brewing tanks through the window set the tone for this hip hop–soundtracked taproom. You could come just for the vibe – but the beer is the star. Olarin Panimo is known for its fruity NEIPAs, though everything on tap is top-notch. And the beer couldn’t be fresher, it’s brewed right here on site. There’s pizza too, because of course there is.

Time Out tip: Continue the night across Teollisuuskatu at Ääniwalli – the club has the best sound system in town and one of Helsinki’s most diverse line-ups. Alongside electronic music, expect plenty of experimental and genre-bending nights.

Bruno Granholmin kuja 1–3, Vallilan Konepaja. Open Wednesday to Saturday.

What is it? One of Helsinki’s most atmospheric wine bars, housed in a beautifully preserved art nouveau pharmacy.

Why we love it? Above the door, a stained-glass swan recalls the building’s history as the Joutsen (Swan) Pharmacy, which operated here for over a century. The art nouveau interior is protected by law, with solid wooden shelves lined with old apothecary jars – a perfect match for a wine bar, since wine itself is a kind of elixir of (good) life. There’s an old cash register and a set of pharmacy scales too. The wine list is impressive, and alongside top bottles you’ll find small, seasonal plates made with care and offered at reasonable prices. They’re ideal for sharing. The family behind Apotek also runs beloved Helsinki classics like café Tin Tin Tango and restaurants Carelia, Kuukuu and Kuu – and Apotek is clearly on its way to joining that list.

Time Out tip: The bar is on Lapinlahdenkatu, which is also home to the excellent Tacoya Birreria. If you’re after a livelier vibe than a wine bar, this is the place to knock back margaritas and munch on a few-euro tacos.

Lapinlahdenkatu 1, Kamppi. Open Tuesday to Saturday. Expect to pay €8–€16 for dishes.

What is it? El Rey on Annankatu serves the city’s best margaritas alongside soulful birria-style tacos.

Why we love it? Whenever my Mexican friend feels homesick, they head to El Rey to spend the evening. From the short menu, the succulent birria tacos are the ones to pick, but you might want to skip the deep-fried fish tacos topped with mayo – unless you’re craving a Latin version of fish fingers. Aside from the ‘salty-sweet kisses’ of the house margaritas, the best part is the atmosphere, which draws you in like the music of a mariachi band. El Rey works best as an electric starter for the night.

Time Out tip: When my Mexican friend gets really homesick, they head all the way to Turku. Located in the Turku Market Hall, Café Chingon serves the best Mexican food in the country, earning its spot on our list of the best restaurants in Finland.

Annankatu 20, Kamppi. Open Tue–Thu 16–22 and Fri–Sat 16–24. Better to book a table for dinner, but the bar is great for a spontaneous margarita.

What is it? Helsinki’s most Berlin-esque bar, thanks to the ping-pong table tucked away in the back room.

Why we love it? A night out gets a surprising boost of energy when you jump into a game of ping-pong between beers. You can borrow paddles and a ball from the bar, but we recommend bringing your own and coming with a big group to play the Berlin-style Rundlauf. In this game, players circulate around the table one after another; the circle keeps moving, and everyone takes one hit in turn. You are knocked out of the ring if you miss. The goal is to keep the volley easy enough for the next person until only two players remain to battle it out in a quick mini-match for the win. Once the winner taps the table, a new round begins.

Time Out tip: Don’t take it personally if the service feels a bit brusque at times. It’s not you—it just seems to be part of the authentic atmosphere here.

Helsinginkatu 21, Kallio. Open evenings from Tuesday to Sunday.

What is it? A gaming bar at Vallila’s Konepaja where you can dive into console and board games or arcade classics such as pinball and arcade machines.

Why we love it? If you want more from a night out than just sitting around, there’s plenty to do here. Super Bario is a relaxed spot to drop in and play with friends or even colleagues. For many locals it has become a regular hangout, with its own close-knit community. This bar may not be for everyone, but for those who love games and a dose of nostalgia it’s the perfect place to spend an evening without ever getting bored. The venue is clearly being developed constantly and with real dedication. For now, the arcade machines, pinball and other game hall devices are free to play.

Time Out tip: If you want to guarantee a place to play, the gaming sofas and driving simulator can be booked in advance by the hour. The venue also hosts plenty of events and gaming tournaments, so it’s worth checking the dates on the website beforehand.

Traverssikuja 3, Vallila. Open Sun–Thu 14–24 and Fri–Sat 14–2. Gaming sofas cost 18 euros per hour and the driving simulator 20 euros per hour.

What is it? A tiny neighbourhood bar in the heart of idyllic Puu-Vallila, Helsinki’s enchanting pocket of colourful wooden houses. Pikku-Vallila has occupied the corner of one of them since 1986, with room for only around 20 drinkers inside.

Why we love it: At Pikku-Vallila, the setting and history matter at least as much as what’s being poured into your glass. According to local lore, the bar owes its existence to Arto Melleri, the hard-living poet who lived in Puu-Vallila and longed for a proper local drinking hole. Think of Melleri as something like Finland’s Charles Bukowski – although fans of fellow poet Pentti Saarikoski might dispute that title. Finland, it has to be said, has never exactly suffered from a shortage of brilliant, boozy poets. 

Time Out tip: Melleri is long gone, but thankfully Pikku-Vallila lives on. Its little terrace is delightful in summer, but the bar might be even more atmospheric in winter. What could be more inviting than stepping out of the snow and freezing Helsinki night into the warmth of an old wooden house?

Vallilantie 19, Vallila. Open daily from late afternoon.

What is it? A Frida Kahlo–inspired bar filled with Mexican décor – complete with a Day of the Dead altar.

Why we love it? Bar Llamas stands out among the many bars on Iso Roba pedestrian street thanks to its striking interior. The Mexico theme is done with such good taste that it never feels kitschy. Alongside beers there’s a wide selection of tequilas and rums. Mojitos are served not only by the glass but by the jug. And if you’re in the mood for Bollywood instead, the same owners run Bar Bhangra in Töölö.

Time Out tip: Iso Roba is home to the liveliest bar scene in southern Helsinki, perfect for an all-nighter. Beer lovers should head to Black Door or Tommyknocker, rock fans to The Riff, and partygoers to Jackie. At Swengi you can belt out karaoke and at Camping Helsinki even play a round of minigolf.

Iso Roobertinkatu 14, Punavuori. Open daily 16:00–04:00.