Other entertainment in Finland
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A
Rymy Eetu
Fancy a beer? Then you’re after a 1L pint of a genuine German pilsener or one of the huge array of brews at this Bavarian beer hall. You can order some dumplings, or bread and sauerkraut, to soak up the booze while tapping your foot to Finnish humppa (jazz-based music). The pub’s namesake is, ironically, a modest, chubby Finnish cartoon character, who is known for his nonchalant resistance to the Nazis during WWII, and who you’ll see throughout the bar’s decor.
reviewed
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B
Superstereo
One of the best bars in town, this university student hang-out has a pop culture–pastiche interior (check out their mural of the Vaasa skyline) and a summer-popular terrace. But wait there’s more! The clubby Munkhaus bar opens later with a pumping sound system playing electronica and danceable indie. Or chillax by ringing ahead to book the sauna for a sound-drenched soak.
reviewed
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Teivo Trotting Track
Ten kilometres northwest of Tampere on Rd 3, Teivo Trotting Track offers a popular, recommended, Finnish experience. There are races nearly every Tuesday evening at 6pm, and entry is free, though you can bet as much as you like. Special buses from town run to the track on race evenings. In winter the horses race on compacted snow under floodlights.
reviewed
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C
Woodoo
Running with the slogan ‘Helping people get more sex since 2003’, this larrikin place is the alternative hang-out in Imatra, attracting a younger crowd to its terrace. The club out the back does hard beats, while the bar is a pleasant spot for a drink or game of pool. You can find your own dark corner in its large interior.
reviewed
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D
A21 Cocktail Lounge
You’ll need to ring the doorbell to get into this chic club but it’s worth the intrigue to swing with Helsinki’s arty set. The interior is sumptuous in gold, but the real lushness is in the cocktails, particularly the Finnish blends that toss lakka and rhubarb to create the city’s most innovative tipples.
reviewed
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Tampere-Talo
Classical concerts are held in spectacular modern Tampere-Talo. Performances by the Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra (www.tampere.fi/filharmonia) are on Fridays from September to May. In addition to this it also puts on regular chamber music concerts, and visiting opera and ballet performances.
reviewed
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E
Finnair Stadium
Next to the Olympic Stadium, this is the home ground of local footballers, HJK Helsinki. The team’s the closest thing Finland has to a Real Madrid or a Manchester United, having won 21 Finnish league titles and even having made a foray into the group stages of the Champions League a few years back.
reviewed
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Zoomit
Large, light, modern ZoomIt is a popular, buzzy central bar and cafe, a good place for a drink or coffee while you scope out Rovaniemi. Right in the heart of town, its terrace is the spot to be on a sunny afternoon and its spacious interior gives room to stretch out with a book if it’s raining.
reviewed
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Klubi
This massive complex has several speeds from the casual drinking of Kolo (‘cave’) to the DJ-fuelled nightclub of Ilta, plus regular big Finnish bands at Live. It’s part-owned by a local record label, which means it snares its fair share of local Finnish bands and visiting international acts.
reviewed
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F
Tullikamari Klubi
This cavernous place near the train station is Tampere’s main indoor live-music venue; there are usually several bands playing every week, and big Finnish names regularly swing by for concerts. DJs play classic rock on nights when there’s no band. The cover charge varies from free to €15.
reviewed
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Tokio
This hole-in-the-wall distinguishes itself among the area’s dives with a slick interior including funky art adorning the walls. The good sushi and lazy lounge music embody a bohemian feel that’s everything that’s good about Kallio. Look for the narrow bike parked out front.
reviewed
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Alvar
In this building that Aalto designed on a deadline, the low-key pub has a towering beer list that’s a magnet for local students and ale-fetishists alike. Artek-esque furniture is a nod to the designer of the building and free wi-fi makes it a lounge rather than a party.
reviewed
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Blue
The blue neon light might not be flattering for the 30-plus crowd, but this great little bar feels more comfy than cool. There are regular bands, and DJs usually with bluesy, R ’n’ B beats, but it also just makes for a good place to shoot the breeze over a few wines.
reviewed
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Park Café
Opposite the Casino in Spa Park, this converted rotunda makes for a brilliant evening’s boozing where they’ll bring you a rug when it gets too chilly. There’s a good range of international beers including stout and it makes a good warm-up or come-down for the Casino.
reviewed
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G
Heavy Corner
Known as a pick-up joint, this metal club virtually has an all-black dress code to hear the rockingest tunes and often metal karaoke, featuring super-serious patrons who believe they are auditioning for Children of Bodom. Wait until you leave to start snickering.
reviewed
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H
Teatteri
In a stylish former Swedish theatre, this club has three floors of fun from the sophisticated Long bar with its modernist paintings and web-spun light fixtures to the summer-swelling terraces. It’s got an older more relaxed crowd and can be packed on weekends.
reviewed
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Ale Pupi
Kuopio’s nightlife is conveniently strung along Kauppakatu, running east from the market square to the harbour. Here, grungy but likeable AlePupi has a huge interior, surprisingly classy decor and big drawcards of cheap beer and karaoke.
reviewed
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I
Kaarlenholvi Jumpru Pub
This Oulu institution is a great place for meeting locals and its enclosed outdoor area always seems to be humming with cheerfully sauced-up folk. There’s a warren of cosy rooms inside, as well as a nightclub opening from 10pm Wednesday to Saturday.
reviewed
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J
Doo-bop Club
This joint swings with live jazz, funk and soul in a suitably dark bar that attracts a 30-plus crowd. Periodic jam sessions are not unheard of – if you’ve packed your clarinet – or can just click your fingers to the beats to look like a jazz-cat.
reviewed
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Cuba! Cafe
Certainly one of Helsinki’s brighter bars, this place is done out in peach and mojito limes with a small stage that features a Havana-style taxi and DJs or salsa bands. Beers, cocktails and dancing are the order of the night in this party place.
reviewed
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Cafe Milou
Don something black and head down to this casual bar named after Tin Tin’s hound to while away some time with Oulu’s streetwise rock and metal crowd. Bookshelves filled with comics, a Friday poker tournament, and small terrace add appeal.
reviewed
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K
Hola
The retro vibe with ’70s tiles and comfy microcouches makes this place popular with university students. There’s dancing potential in the front room and a small art exhibition – all of which mark this out as one of Kallio’s better bars.
reviewed
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Hard & Heavy
The band Lordi cashed in on their Eurovision success by opening a ‘horror-rocktaurant’. The food’s pretty dire, but it’s worth visiting the downstairs bar for its extravagant bat-and-belfry decor and heavy tunes on the sound system.
reviewed
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LU
Ascend into clubbing heaven at this super slick club with stellar lighting, Kamppi-top views and high-altitude cocktails. Music runs from sexy lounge to sweaty funk with local DJs and international visitors. Enter via Kamppi Square.
reviewed
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Cow
If you were going to hold a hen’s night in Turku, the Cow would be the place. They keep the cocktails flowing and have a good wine selection, but the atmosphere never gets too barnyard, with friendly staff and relaxed couches.
reviewed
