Mecca is at the very top of this list because of the synergy between its bar and restaurant. Fresh ingredients from chef Petteri Luoto’s kitchen are used in the drinks; exotic touches in the cocktails are apparent in the cuisine and décor.

The venue has a solid reputation as a pioneer of Helsinki cocktail culture, based on a sound knowledge of mixology, but is unafraid of innovation and experiment; its tuned cosmopolitan with vodka-cranberry jelly and lime foam draws on la cuisine moléculaire for inspiration. Former bartender Juha Stenroos, described by some as a visionary, has been a major part of Mecca’s success; an extensive drinks selection has also been crucial. The hottest choice is the mojito – which comes in various varieties – but wine and champagne are big sellers. The list changes seasonally but always stays in tune with the general ambience and Vertti Kivi interior design.

Mecca excels as a venue for conversation, flirtation, drinking, and enjoying the good life. Customers rarely go overboard though thanks to an approach of “drink less but better”. Many were first attracted not by Mecca’s status as a bar-restaurant, but thanks to an invitation to attend one of its regular events like book launches, business parties, or fashion shows. In turn, this means a self-consciously stylish clientele: young adults clad in designer labels in the upstairs bar, especially Finnish-Swedes; 40somethings in the more placid downstairs lounge.

According to contemporary bar philosophy, the cocktail experience cannot be isolated from its environment. That’s why the relationship between cocktails and music here is so strong.

Atmosphere, cocktails, creativity, design, food, and great sounds: quite a package. That’s why Mecca is not only number 1 bar, but also number 19 restaurant – the only stand-alone establishment in the book to make both lists.

mecca

Address Korkeavuorenkatu 34, 00130 Helsinki
Tel. +358 9 1345 6200
Website www mecca.fi
Seats 120
Open Mon-Tue 16:00-24:00, Wed-Thu 16:00-02:00,Fri-Sat 16:00-04:00
Signature drink Mecca Mojito
Restaurateur Palace Kämp Group
Executive Chef Petteri Luoto
Location From Esplanadi Park, walk about 60m up the hill round the corner of the Artek design store. Entrance is opposite.

“The leading cocktail bar in Finland for the last three years.” / “Excellent concept in which the beverage product complements the food product.” / “Elegant restaurant serving expertly-mixed drinks.” / “They really focus on finding the right flavors and looks for drinks. The Strömsö Martini must be the best drink in the world. And the bartenders are not put-off by complicated cocktail orders even on busy nights.” / “Sensuality and atmosphere created by attention to detail.” / “The best mojitos in town; the bartenders know their stuff and the groove is always on – the best bar for a party.” / “Great interior and music, complemented by well-executed modern cuisine.”

“That’s the place where everyone drinks champagne,” orthodox monk Father Andreas once said about this legendary establishment. Kämp Bar and Kämp Club at Hotel Kämp shift more fizz per square meter than anywhere else in Finland. Their champagne selection is the country’s largest, with 45 main varieties plus some speciality vintages.

“About half of our sales comes from champagne, so it’s really a big seller,” says club manager Jussi Ankkuriniemi. “Many people come to us specifically to taste different champagnes.”

“The most popular cocktail is gin & tonic, while martinis are in vogue among well-heeled 35-to-40-year-old women,” Ankkuriniemi adds. “First, women learned to drink cosmopolitans, and now they’re discovering other cocktails as well.”

Kämp Bar and Kämp Club are in the renowned Hotel Kämp next to Esplanadi Park. The downstairs bar is more casual, somewhere for a drink after work, or a quick stop while shopping. The club upstairs opens Wednesday to Saturday until 4am and offers a much more exclusive experience.

Every big city must have at least one international standard bar-nightclub – in Helsinki that role has been bestowed on Kämp. The mothership hotel boasts a classic among the city’s restaurants (YuMe) but the entire establishment has the status of Finnish legend.

Today’s reconstructed Kämp stays true to the original opened on Pohjoisesplanadi back in 1887. Even then, it was frequented by Finland’s elite. Kämp is still where you find the country’s top names in academia, business, culture, and media – the stylish place to be seen.

This is the old school however: a redoubt of hierarchy with the discreet charm of the bourgeoisie in its DNA. Minor breaches of the dress code go unremarked, but pestering a celebrity for an autograph? Vulgar and unforgiveable.

Kämp Bar & Club

Address Pohjoisesplanadi 29, 0010100Helsinki
Tel. Bar +358 958409530, Club +358 9576111
Website www.palacekamp.fi
Seats Bar 75, Club 150
Open Bar Mon-Wed 10:00-01:00, Thu-Fri 10:00-02:00, Sat 11:00-02:00, Sun 11:00-01:00. Club Wed-Sat 20:00-04:00
Signature drinks Bar – Kämp Martini, Bloody Mary. Club – Royal CC, Freshly Picked Martini
Restaurateur Palace Kämp Group
Restaurantmanager Club – Jussi Ankkuriniemi
Bar manager Andrei Cioanca
Bartenders Bar – Riku Hailio Kirsi Nykänen, Suvi Puranen. Club – Ralitsa Ivanova
Location Hotel Kämp by Esplanadi Park.

“Committed, skilled professionals behind the counter. They know elegance like no other!” / “International atmosphere with prices and style to match. Skilled, focused bar staff.” / “Continentally stylish interior that makes you feel a tad finer than you actually are.” / “The bartenders have lots of unique ideas for drinks, if they just had more time to give recommendations between pouring champagne.” / “Fine staff and groove. I’m attracted to hotel bars; they have a really special atmosphere.” / “Champagne requires a certain type of interior. The staff keep suitably distant.” / “The location is unmatched. The dot on the i is the nut selections served with drinks.”

On the ground floor of the celebrated Hotel Torni, American Bar was established in 1960 and is one of the oldest cocktail bars in the country. For many Finns, it defined the very idea of what a cocktail bar should be. It has an elegance that is not always in tune with changing fashions but its commitment to class is timeless.

The trend here is “tradition” although modern molecular mixology has lately been a source of inspiration. Its CR Margarita comes in a glass with an unsalted rim for instance, but is accompanied by a separate cup of salt foam tweaked with fresh lime juice.
Needless to say, only the freshest ingredients are used.
“This autumn will see a whole bunch of brand new tricks,” says chief bartender Mika Vitikka. “We’re designing three-course drink menus with an aperitif, warm main drink, and a sweet dessert drink.”
“As the new smoking law put an end to cigar smoking in the bar, our biggest sellers are also bound to change,” he adds. “Cigars and whisky go hand-in-hand, so fresher cocktails are probably going to become more popular.”

American Bar may take an innovative approach to its drinks list but an absolutely impeccable table service has been the norm here for decades, almost too formal at times. This establishment has acted like a university for many top young bartenders even though most staff are generally mature and experienced. Restraint is their watchword – they know that less can often be more.

Around 80 per cent of sales are cocktails and the typical customer is a 25 to 50-year-old aficionado. The majority come here specially, others drift in by happy accident when looking for the Ateljee Bar on the hotel’s top floor.

American Bar

Address Kalevankatu 5, 00100 Helsinki
Tel. +358 9 4336 6310
Website www.americanbar.fi
Seats 75
Open Mon-Thu 16:00-01:00, Fri-Sat 16:00-02:00,Sun closed
Signature drink Mojito
Restaurateur Sokos Hotel Torni
Restaurantmanager Rainer Vento
Head bartender Mika Vitikka
Bartenders Riku Hailio, Mikko Kemppinen.
Location in the heart of Helsinki, on the ground floor of Hotel Torni.

“Has seen ups and downs, but has always been one of the cornerstones in Finland.” / “Classy old-school establishment with timeless quality in service and cocktails.” / “One of the most international spots in Helsinki – a genuine bar and an elegant one at that.” / “Easily accessible, refined meeting place and a comfortable choice for a woman to sit and wait for her date.” / “If I definitely want to have a certain cocktail that is mixed correctly rather than haphazardly, I go to American Bar, for the image gained over the years is of solid professionalism.” / “Clients can trust the quality and range of the beverage selection – and the bartender not trying to be funny and asking banal questions like ‘May I choose the color of your wine?’” / “Well-suited for pre-dinner drinks or for spending the entire night – chic, but casual. No strutting around.”

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!”

Without Teatteri, there would be no Finnish tabloid newspaper industry. This is the venue of choice for disco-mating celeb-girls and ice hockey players who dance on tables, take their clothes off, or fall asleep on the bar – all reported in the gossip columns the next day.

The focus for these shenanigans is The VIP Room which offers no access to mere mortals. You can’t buy a VIP card, you have to “earn” it. Strangely enough, VIPs often turn out to be affluent Finns with a public profile who can afford to send a bottle of champagne to a friend’s table rather than say “hello” the old fashioned way. Fortunately, Teatteri offers a whole range of other attractions to people who are poorer, uglier, or less well-connected.

This is actually the only true multipurpose bar-restaurant in the country: an entire complex with just about everything apart from a neighborhood pub. Here you can have morning coffee, lunch, dinner, after-dinner drinks, or boogie ‘til 4am.

At its heart is the slick Kellobaari with its Le Corbusier -style leather sofas, the favorite of many barhoppers. To understand its name (”Clock Bar”) lean back and you’ll find large clock faces on the ceiling. The Long Bar is popular at lunchtime, but also pulls in the crowds for strawberry margaritas in the evening, while the big seller at the upstairs Club is gin & tonic.
Teatteri has kept up with ever-changing restaurant trends by subtle but constant facelifts that have extended to even the smallest detail on the fixtures and fittings. In a country where the winters are dark and summers feature very long days (24 hours in the north) lighting is a vital component of restaurant design. Here, the relationship between natural and artificial light is taken further than anywhere else in Finland: it becomes the element that completes the space.
Staff are skilled and patient, even on the busiest evenings.

ravintola teatteri

Address Pohjoisesplanadi 2, 00130 Helsinki
Tel. +358 9 681 1130
Website ww.ravintolateatteri.com
Seats 1 400
Open Mon-Tue 09:00-02:00, Wed-Fri 09:00-04:00, Sat 11:00-04:00, Sun 12:00-01:00
Signature drink Mojito
Restaurateur Royal Ravintolat
Restaurantmanagers Eetu Halmesmäki, Ahti Juuso, Pekka Tyynilä
Bartenders Maiju Aalto, Kirsi Koponen, Jan Nyrhinen, Matti Piippo, Erno Vainanen.
Chef Kalle Lindroth
Location Esplanadi Park in the same building as the Svenska Teatern (”The Swedish Theater”), across from the Academic Bookstore.

“Bartenders are always business-like but friendly, sometimes too busy and therefore distant.” / “The Bold and the Beautiful of Helsinki. The VIP terrace with views of urban greenery is nice. The new grill has also proven a success.” / “Wide selection of beverages. The staff are expert and obliging.” / “Has maintained a high level thanks to its trained staff. The magnificent space sends a message that the client is getting his money’s worth. From a restaurant industry professional’s point of view, what’s behind the scenes is also well taken care of. Money talks but who cares!” / “Probably the coolest bar in town; beautiful space in the very heart of Helsinki – a fab place.”

Hotel Torni reaches nearly 70 meters into the Helsinki skyline – illegal actually since the original proprietors never got planning permission for such a tall structure. All the same, the hotel has been around for 76 years now and no one seems keen to tear it down. The view from the 14th floor Ateljee Bar soars to heights of excellence unsurpassed even by the bricks and mortar. The cocktails aren’t half bad here either.
Stunning city panoramas dominate through the big windows while the fixtures and fittings include white walls, blond wood, and transparent La Marie chairs by Philippe Starck. The blue ceiling emphasizes the airiness of the space while the lack of tablecloths or curtains gives an interesting acoustic quality. Since it opened in 1951, the bar has also been a venue for art exhibitions that change every month.

The clientele tends to be younger than at Hotel Torni’s American Bar, the last stretch of steep and narrow stairs scaring off the elderly and infirm. The majority of customers are well-heeled women and well-informed tourists, many of whom have been attracted by the memorable terrace, open all year round.

Bad news for men? One of the best views you get up here is from the women’s toilet. This even featured in a recent Finnish movie as a setting for a torrid sex scene involving an amorous female drinker and a barman.
“We really have no plans for changes since the art exhibitions and the views are enough to keep the clients interested,” says smiling chief bartender Kaarina Sironen.
As for the cocktails, she adds: “Helsinki natives mainly drink mojitos, frozen margaritas, and strawberry margaritas. Tourists are attracted by the Aalto: cranberry vodka, Cointreau, lemon juice, and soda – all in a small vase designed by famous architect Alvar Aalto that you can take home with you.”

ateljee bar

Address Kalevankatu 5, 00100 Helsinki
Tel. +358 9 4336 6340
Website www.ateljeebar.fi
Seats 50
Open Mon-Thu 14:00-02:00, Fri-Sat 12:00-02:00,Sun 14:00-01:00
Signature drink Aalto cocktail, mojitos
Restaurateur Sokos Hotel Torni
Restaurantmanager Rainer Vento
Chief bartender Kaarina Sironen
Bartender Lari Korhonen
Location in the heart of Helsinki,on the 14th floor of Hotel Torni.

“Rock solid choice for a drink. The beautiful views and moody staff ensure that there’s always something to talk about.” / “Being so high up gives the small space an eerie airiness. Goes for a viewing tower if you need to show Helsinki to non-natives. Pleasant place for women to meet up. The art exhibitions are usually interesting. Talking about the lookout ladies’ room is getting a bit old, though; yeah, it’s high up, but it’s still just a toilet.” / “The staff are skilled, but the reason to come here is the view.” / “A classic! A touch of melancholy á la Aki Kaurismäki.” / “Very sound knowledge of bartending.”

A beer and whisky pub can thrive some distance from the city centre. All it takes is the best selection of Scotch single malts in Finland, lots of energy, and countless microbrews.
Pikkulintu (”Little Bird”) in the Helsinki suburb of Puotila is the creation of host Markku Ristevirta. He has been the soul of this welcoming establishment since it was set up in 2000. As soon as it opens in the afternoon, tables start to fill with happy chatter. Ristevirta often joins in, introducing the range of drinks available.

The beer selection features over 100 names, 16 of which are on tap. “The best beers in the world and the best-known beers in the world are not the same thing. I’d rather sell a microbrew than a big international label,” Ristevirta explains.

He focuses on unique Scandinavian beers and house beers specially-produced for the bar by different breweries. Currently, Pikkulintu also offers genuine real ale from the cask. Favorites in the past have included a stout called Siperia from the Koskipanimo brew-pub in Tampere, an American-style wheat beer, and – most loved of all – a lambic beer by the Cantillon brewery in Belgium.
Acting as an importer of rarities is one of Pikkulintu’s real strengths, also its range of Scotch. “The smoky whiskies of the Highlands especially seem to suit the Finnish palate,” says Ristevirta.
Pikkulintu has recently expanded and opened up a 20-seat room for private functions, meetings, and of course, whisky and beer tastings. The bar is entirely smoke-free although there are a few outdoors tables where smokers can still puff away.

beer restaurantpikkulintu

Address Klaavuntie 11, 00910 Helsinki
Tel. +358 9 321 5040
Website www.pikkulintu.fi
Seats 55 + private room 20 + patio 25
Open Sun-Thu 15:00-24:00, Fri-Sat 15:00-02:00
Restarateur/ pub host Markku Ristevirta
Location About 200m from Puotila metro station at Puotila shopping mall.

“The combination of eastern Helsinki suburb and local pub don’t usually inspire any positive comments but Pikkulintu is an exception to the rule. Neat place, expert staff, incredible malt whisky selection, and imported brews make this pub in Puotila a local equivalent of Café Abseits in Bamberg, Zur Letzten Instanz in Berlin, or De Hopduvel in Gent – it’s worth taking the long way to visit Pikkulintu!” / “Despite its miniscule size, Pikkulintu is undoubtedly the best place for beer and whisky in Finland: wide, varied, changing selection, the host’s unbelievable amount of knowledge and obliging service, self-imports, special products, the bar’s energy, and on and on.” / “The clientele is as interesting as the place – there’s always someone to talk to.” / “A visit to Pikkulintu is always an adventure.” / “Their self-imports include microbrews from other Nordic countries and the States that otherwise wouldn’t be available. Finnish local products can also be found. The staff are excited about the stuff and it shows. They’re also very helpful in sharing their knowledge. Take some time to listen to the bartenders!”

The signature drink at Café Kuluma in Oulu, northern Finland, is the Rammstein. When someone orders this flaming cocktail, the lights are dimmed and the German heavy metal is turned up. To eleven. It’s a big hit with the locals, especially at weekends.

The berry-flavored Rammstein was first mixed by restaurant manager Jani Rantaeilola, but it’s not the only one to set the night on fire as the drinks list has a whole bevy of fiery beverages.
Established in the spring of 2004, Café Kuluma is housed in a tall, open space that brings to mind old an cocktail lounge serving manhattans, martinis, and other international classics. The bartenders will mix any of those, but prefer to stick to their guns. (And flamethrowers.)

“In addition to a variety of liquors we stock a great selection of fresh fruit, berries, and juices which gives us a great opportunity to try out different things. But the most important thing is that clients are happy,” says head bartender Aimo Markus who is also head of the local chapter of the Finnish bartenders’ club. He adds that it takes a little extra effort and inspiration to experiment like this, but the costs are fairly easy to manage.

The expert management at Café Kuluma is based on teamwork and it’s is no coincidence that the establishment boasts the town’s most celebrated bartenders. Every one has a definite personality but as an ensemble they complement each other perfectly. Highly motivated, they also take part in competitions, are forever honing their skills, and even train other tyro barstaff.
Café Kuluma attracts a wide clientele, from students to white collar workers, its cocktails are decent value and in demand although in summertime draught beer and cider also go down well.

kuluma

Address Kauppurienkatu 5, 90100 Oulu
Tel. +358 8 333 009
Website www.kuluma.fi
Seats 88 + patio 60
Open Sun-Thu 11:00-02:00, Fri-Sat 11:00-03:00
Signature drink Rammstein (Cointreau, fresh strawberries, raspberry syrup, cranberry juice, and cinnamon; absinthe for the flame)
Restaurateurs Jari Hämäläinen, Ville Koskela, and Perttu Virolainen
Restaurantmanager Jani Rantaeilola
Bartenders Leena Komulainen, Aimo Markus, Petri Määttä, and Marjaana Rantaeilola
Location Downtown Oulu, between the marketplace and Rotuaari pedestrian street.

“Comfortable place for the everyman that combines a cocktail bar and a pub. House specialty is spiced vodkas.” / “An atmosphere that can’t be found elsewhere in Finland.” / “Kuluma’s character is created by skilled bartenders who take pride in what they do. And the drinks, the drinks…” / “Top quality selection of beverages. The staff are motivated to keep developing as bartenders and to keep offering clients new experiences.” / “Oulu’s top staff takes good care of the customers and drinks.” / “Superb beverage product – with good amounts of innovative madness, creativity, and expertise.”

Just as the book was about to go to print, we discovered that Via Enoteca had new owners: the dynamic duo from Demo (see page 24). The guarantee of good food and good service is still in place, and the aim of keeping the establishment among Helsinki’s best bars. Watch this space.
Quattrocentro vini
“We stock about 400 different wines, 80 per cent of which are Italian,” says Via Enoteca restaurant manager Mika Kekki. “Almost all are available by the glass except for a few rarities. Well, of course you can have just a glass of those too, but you have to buy the whole bottle!”

By succeeding as a wine bar, this establishment has confounded the so-called experts who said it could never be done. The soul of the business, Riikka Sukula, and her husband, chef Jyrki Sukula, have set an example for others to follow – like the Foxy Wine Bar nearby.

Via Enoteca is housed in a building that served as a base for the newspaper Päivälehti more than a century ago. It later became Helsingin Sanomat which is Finland’s biggest newspaper today. The wine bar interior is a powerful yet intimate combination of dark wood furniture, warm earth tones on the walls, and a ceiling high enough to induce dizziness – but soft-brown to avoid any coldness. The décor impresses Finns and non-Finns alike. Judging by the color palette you might think you had been transported outside the country – not for long though as staff will soon bring you back to Ludviginkatu. Service is certainly expert but not heartfelt – rather distant, bordering on cool.

One of the best things about Via Enoteca is the adjacent restaurant Via and people flow freely between the two. Next door meanwhile is Alko, the state-owned alcohol retail shop. This is a really excellent branch with staff who are well known for their wine expertise.

via enoteca

Address Ludviginkatu 6-8, 00130 Helsinki
Tel. +358 9 68113710
Website www.viaravintola.com
Seats 70
Open Mon-Tue 14:00-22:00, Wed-Thu 14:00-24:00,Fri 14:00-02:00, Sat 15:00-02:00, Sun closed
Signature drink House wine (Italian table wine)
Restaurateur Riikka and Jyrki Sukula
Restaurant manager Mika Kekki
Sommelier Juha Tanskanen
Location Just off Erottaja, across from Diana Park.

“Nice staff. Unusual wines and delicious antipasti in a historical setting”. / “Modern wine bar: stop by for a glass or have a do-it-yourself tasting. The great antipasti are a bonus – for some reason they taste better at Enoteca than at the mother-restaurant Via.” / “Easily approachable; the unpretentious clientele makes it a comfortable and casual place that also works well for girlfriends to meet up. Excellent wines that come with detailed information when required.” / “The interior and ornate ceiling create an intimate atmosphere. Interesting wines and well-priced champagne.” / “Incredible handpicked wines, knowledgeable staff, the coolest bar ceiling in town. But it’s a wine bar – not a bar. Yet better than most bars.”

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!”