Works like a meatball”
Uudenmaankatu street in Helsinki is not only home to Café Bar 9 but also a range of other bars and restaurants. Known simply as “9″, this bistro-style establishment was one of the pioneers of the Uudenmaankatu phenomenon in the mid-1990s. The area developed as quite a hub of creative talent with a slew of galleries and boutiques, and eventually became known as Helsinki Design District.
Open for breakfast from around noon, 9 keeps on going till 2am. The customers are mostly young artists and professionals in media and advertising: creatives who can be discussing a great new idea, or simply nursing a hangover.
“Though 9 also serves food, drinks make up 52 per cent of sales,” says co-owner Niklas Engblom. “Favorites include kossuvissy – Koskenkorva hard liquor with sparkling water – and Jaloviina spirit, as well as wines, beers, and a concoction called Jomppe which was made up by some regulars: freshly squeezed grapefruit juice, Campari, and Beefeater Gin.”
The unpretentious, ascetic interior was designed by Matti Kulovesi and also serves as a gallery for local artists with new exhibitions every month. At the time of writing, the walls were adorned with ceramics by Riiko Sakkinen, a Finnish artist living in Spain. Its latest project is the Bar 9 March 9 Art Award, to be bestowed for the first time on 9 March 2008 to one of the exhibiting artists from the previous year. The winner gets a cash prize plus a dedicated seat at the bar with metal plaque.
At 9, service is good and bad: mood swings are part of the attraction. On a good day, customers are treated as friends, even as family, but if the staff are tired or pissed off you are sure to notice. The atmosphere is fun and informal though; sit at the table by the bar and sooner or later one of the staff will sit there too.
Café Bar 9
Address Uudenmaakatu 9, 00120 Helsinki
Tel. +358 9 621 40 59
Website www.bar9.net
Seats 50 + 10 outdoors
Open Mon-Fri 11:00-02 :00, Sat-Sun 12:00-02 :00
Signature drink Kossuvissy
Restaurateur Camorra Ltd
Restaurantmanager Matti Lähde
Chef Toni Nieminen
Location On Uudenmaankatu street, in the heart of Helsinki Design District.
“A bar that I wouldn’t mind owning.” / “For good, cheap food – and friendly service!” / “Works like a meatball.” / “At Bar 9 you can arrive in pyjamas, an artist is never unusual. Great grub and staff.” / “There’s only one 9, and everyone under 60 goes there. A mainstay of the Uudenmaankatu phenomenon that just keeps on going with an amazing drive. Fine staff.”
