High interest rate
Old Bank has the most dignified interior of any beer house in Finland. The atmosphere however is hardly solemn and the clientele quite varied. On weeknights it’s the hippest after-work destination in Turku and a must for every business party; on weekends the clientele is younger and they don’t enjoy the luxury of expense accounts.
Old Bank’s massive granite building dates to 1907, sits in the heart of town, and was really once a bank. The spacious interior brings to mind the historic cafés of Brussels; Belgian beer culture – unfamiliar in Finland – has been the inspiration for Old Bank since it was set up in 1993. “It’s down to these uniforms,” claims bartender Petri Oksanen, tapping the hem of his black waiter’s vest.
Belgium has been the source of a few other things as well besides the clothing: namely a selection of up to 200 beers, with a strong showing from Trappist and kriek varieties. Old Bank even imports a few brands itself.
The drinks selection is constantly renewed and every year there are several theme weeks. There are 22 beers on draught, including the only draught real ale in the whole of south-west Finland (currently Gale’s HSB from Hampshire, England). Another draught pride and joy is Finland’s most internationally successful beer, Sinebrychoff Porter. The best-sellers are Finnish lagers followed by their Czech counterparts. “Both dark and blond Czech beers suit Finnish tastes well,” Oksanen says.
The premises have been kept as close to the original as possible and all refurbishment was approved by the regional museum authorities.
Beer aficionados form a small yet vital client group for the venue and the staff’s beer knowledge stands up to questions from even the most critical customer, according to restaurant manager Matti Tuomisalo. “If you don’t like beer or have no interest in it, you’ve got no chance of coming to work with us,” he says. “We have a very carefully selected staff. We want to offer expertise to our customers. Old Bank is like a speciality store!”
old bank
Address Aurakatu 3, 00100 Turku
Tel. +358 2 274 5700
Website www.oldbank.fi
Seats 300 + upstairs 100
Open Mon-Tue 12:00-01:00, Wed-Sat 12:00-02:00, Sun 18:00-01:00
Signature drink Old Bank lager beer brewed in Belgium to the pub’s secret recipe
Restaurateurs Juha Seipäjärvi and Kari Uimonen
Restaurantmanager Matti Tuomisalo
Location One block from Turku marketplace and the River Aurajoki.
“Has become an extension to my living room.” / “The unique historical bank milieu has been well preserved. Excellent selection and skilled staff.” / “The best and most comfortable beer restaurant in Finland since its establishment.”/ “Interiors like this can’t be made anymore, even with lots of money, since they’re not building such grand buildings in the 21st century. One of the more extraordinary buildings in all of Finland.” / “Wide beer selection and lots of imports, expert staff, comfortable interior.” / “The grandest beer house in Finland. The selection is not bad either!”
