Heavy metal breakdown
Sling In has been a favorite of both restaurant industry professionals and cocktail aficionados for years – and it’s not hard to see why. The lack of snobbery and passion for fostering cocktail culture are evident in even the smallest details.
At the bar, customers can browse a computer that features the names and ingredients of around 1,000 cocktails categorized as tall or short, dry or sweet, into general groups, and more. Your choice will then be mixed by the Sling In’s skilled bartenders. There is little staff turnover here, they work well as a team, and know the bar and its clientele. Their easy-going chat helps customers unwind, and often encourages them to stay for “just one more”.
Sling In has a commendable lack of pretension which is most noticeable in the interior. A 1999 design by Kari Lappalainen – no-frills and predominantly orange-black – still looks fine today. Meanwhile, the hard rock and heavy metal soundtrack is not the most obvious music choice but restaurateur Kalle Alajoki says it has a crossover appeal which is important when trying to break down boundaries and encourage people to try new drinks. It also seems to boost sales.
Although Sling In was named after the Singapore Sling, it’s better known for its Bloody Mary – widely regarded among restaurant workers as Helsinki’s best. The general clientele however favor the various versions of Ivanov, also the trademark of the owners’ previous venue, FiBA.
It’s important to note that Sling In doesn’t sell pints; this is not a pub. In many bars, spirits only count for 20 to 30 per cent of sales. Here, it hits 80 per cent.
The venue has few seats but tends to be busy all day. In the afternoon, groups of girls stop off for a Strawberry Ivanov; later in the evening you get rock and metal fans. It has also been a traditional gathering place for restaurant workers on their traditional Sunday off, although the last couple of years has been quieter as Helsinki’s nightlife gravitates to the Kamppi area.
sling in
Address Mikonkatu 10, 00100 Helsinki
Tel. +358 9 698 6505
Website www.slingin.fi
Seats 45 + 15-seat “teaching bar”
Open Mon-Thu 17:00-02:00, Fri 15:00-03:00,Sat-Sun 17:00-03:00
Signature drink Strawberry Ivanov
Restaurateurs Kalle Alajoki & Jacek Piaseck
Bartenders Hector Granholm, Christel von Haartman, Pekka Lanne, Jukka Suomela, Olli Tiilikainen.
Location Second floor of the Aikatalo building next to the Bristol movie theater in the center of Helsinki.
“Very knowledgeable bar staff, a good place to kick off a bar tour. Highly significant for advancing cocktail culture in Helsinki.” / “Wide selection of ingredients and beverages, very skilled staff and fair prices for downtown.” / “A bar where you always feel like staying.” / “A classic – brave enough to trust its own style. Loyal staff, mean drinks.” / “Town’s most talented bartenders year after year. Meeting place for industry workers.” / “Long-term commitment to cocktail culture with a lot of hard work and heart.” / “Just the place for getting plastered on a Sunday night – hard rock hallelujah with plenty to drink. Beautiful cocktails, fun staff. The location is rather odd, but that’s only a plus.” / “Due to its location has an air of a secret underground bar. The combination of rock music and exquisite drinks is daring but works!”
