Entertainment in Lakeland & The East
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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.
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Visa Grande
Handily placed for a post-Skata drink, this pub does a good trade with locals and manages some solid meals ranging from the pizza and pasta lunch buffet to steak dinners. It’s also one of the late-opening watering holes but after a few too many the underfloor fish tank can make you a little nauseous.
reviewed
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Olutravintola Sillansuu
Savonlinna’s best pub by a long shot is compact and cosy, offering an excellent variety of international bottled beers, a decent whisky selection and friendly service. There’s a downstairs area with a pool table and during the festival amateur arias are sometimes sung as the beer kegs empty.
reviewed
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Jetset Bar
This bar is the latest and trendiest spot in Joensuu, on a corner at the end of the pedestrian section of Kauppakatu. It would be easy to be snide about the name, but it's a cheery spot where people like to be seen, although it gets impossibly crowded at 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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Wanha Satama
Down by the harbour, Wanha Satama is a noble light blue colour with an immense terrace, definitely the place to be on a sunny day if you’re not on the water itself. They also serve up fairly pricey meals.
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Helmi
Located in a 19th-century stone building near the harbour, Helmi is a downmarket bar with an excellent terrace. It has no frills but does four things, and does them well: pizzas, panini, salads and seriously cheap beer.
reviewed
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S/S Suvi Saimaa
In summer, the S/S Suvi Saimaa , at the harbour, is a cheerful place to hang out. It has a terrace on shore and on the boat, and serves snacks and larger meals from noon to 20:00. Occasionally it disappears on cruises.
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Green Apple
Downstairs from Old Park, Green Apple is a recently opened pub which locals have taken to their hearts. It has a terrace, and hospital-bright lights, as well as a nightclub, Golden Apple, with a popular dancefloor.
reviewed
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Henry’s Pub
One of Lakeland’s best rock venues, this atmospheric place has bands playing several times a week, including big Finnish and international names, but it’s a good spot for a drink even if there’s nothing on.
reviewed
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Zone
This central bar’s big glassed-in terrace packs out at night in the ski season and has its own fast-food kiosk. There’s karaoke nightly, regular live music, and a general vibe of pissed-up goodwill.
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K Klubi
This is one of Kuopio's best bars, with an eclectic bunch of punters, ranging from a bohemian, arty older set to discerning students who value Finnish rock and loathe Europop. Always interesting.
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K Klubi
Always interesting, this bar is friendly and bohemian, with a range of punters listening to alternative sounds. It’s definitely not flash, but it’s definitely one of Kuopio’s best.
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Old Park
This is the best pick in a compact central complex that runs over two floors. It’s a gently Irish-themed place (no shamrocks but plenty of hard rock) with a popular terrace.
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Tuulaaki
This summer terrace is sweetly placed right near the passenger quay and regularly features live rock. At other times it’s often quieter, as it’s away from the city centre.
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Prinsessa Armaada
In summer, the Prinsessa Armaada, at the harbour, is a cheerful place to hang out. It has a terrace on shore and on the boat, and serves snacks and larger meals.
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Birra
This is one of the swankier bars in town with a shaded terrace and a great beer selection. On weekends it gets frantic but you can usually cosy up in a booth.
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Cannibals
This is Lappeenranta's most popular nightclub - revellers from the preceding pubs head here after closing. There's an upstairs dance floor open at weekends.
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Giggling Marlin
This is a frenetic 'Suomi pop' club with DJs, dancing on the table, theme nights and plenty of youthful enthusiasm. Minimum age of 22 at weekends.
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Pub Monttu
A little further along from Hotel Ilomantsi, where the nightclub action is, this is a local bar that gets busy on weekends and also serves food.
reviewed
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Diva Nightclub
This is the place for wild dancing in town, though there’s a small bar attached that’s good for a quiet Kilkenny when it all gets too much.
reviewed
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Jetset Bar
This bar draws a blokey crowd with a good beer range and live rock on the weekends. It’s very much a locals’ hang-out.
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Albatrossi
Across the way from Wanha Satama, Albatrossi is a summer pub, set in old wooden warehouses.
reviewed
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Giggling Marlin
This large club plays very dance-friendly disco and Suomipop for Joensuu’s younger crowd.
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Parnell's Irish Bar
This Irish chain pub, also on the pedestrian strip, is the pick of the pubs along here.
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