Flairing up
Next to the drinks list at Shaker there are metal plaques up on the wall engraved with the names of customers who have downed each and every one of those drinks in the course of a single evening. If you succeed in this unlikely achievement, everything else is on the house.
“We do follow the alcohol laws however,” says co-owner Mika Räisänen. “If a person gets too intoxicated we must stop serving them.”
Drinking marathons aside, Shaker is one of the only two real “flairtending” bars in Finland: the other is its sister establishment in Jyväskylä. These are home to the best flair-bartenders in the country who impress and entertain with their moves and showmanship. The interior here is sparsely decorated to focus all eyes on flairtending. The bar has even been placed at an angle to the main entrance so all tricks and flourishes are easy to see from every corner. Shaker’s Räisänen and Kalle Lojander are familiar names from flairtending competitions both in Finland and abroad.
Beer and cider are available but the emphasis is definitely on cocktails: from shots and Ivanovs to sours and even ice-cream based extravaganzas. Whether it’s because of the sweet drinks or hot bartenders, the clientele largely comprises young ladies in skimpy skirts and shiny lip gloss – you can hear the clicking of high heels and giggles out in the street. Many of them come for a few cocktails before heading to the Onnela nightclub opposite. If there is a queue to get into Onnela, Shaker reaps the benefit.
With all these young women, and the bartenders’ many friends, Shaker can get incredibly busy. When bodies are crowded around the bar, Tina Turner is turned up high, and cocktail blenders are thundering at full power, it’s the opposite of quiet. To order a drink, you need to shout – even then you can’t be sure the bartender heard properly. If you’re aiming to get your name on a plaque, maybe your powers of speech have been compromised anyway.
shaker
Address Fredrikinkatu 65, 00100 Helsinki
Tel. +358 9 730 200
Website www.shaker.fi
seats 48
Open Mon-Thu 16:00-02:00, Fri-Sun 18:00-03:00
Signature drink Helsinki Cocktail
Restaurateurs Kalle Lojander and Mika Räisänen
Restaurantmanager Mika Räisänen
Bartenders Kalle Lojander, Mika Räisänen, Mika Kinnunen, Joonas Pikkarainen, Jani Räisänen, Janne Siitari.
Location In the Kamppi area, Tennispalatsi building,across from the Onnela nightclub.
“Well-combined, very good beverage product and entertainment.” / “Flair bartenders, nice drink list, small space, intimate vibe.” / “Superb skill – perfect example of the phrase ‘together we’re more’.” / “Bar culture at its best. Skillful flairtending, cool cocktails!!” / “Great show every night. Tiny but kicks ass! Knowledgeable, customer-oriented service.” / “Excellent place for cocktails with casual, comfortable service. Good place to start before heading to a club.” / “Attractive, hip vibe. Cocktails made with love and always full of brave new ideas.”
