Helsinki Nightlife
Helsinki can offer sophisticated opera, theater and classical music as well as bars, clubs and rock or jazz music venues. The Finnish National Opera, which was founded in 1911, has occupied its present building since 1993. There are regular high-class performances.
The Finnish orchestra scene is full of energy, and the leading orchestras are acclaimed for their high quality and skill. There are several professional orchestras, one opera orchestra, and some chamber- and semi-professional orchestras in Helsinki. Finlandia Hall is a popular venue for concerts. Finlandia Hall is a masterpiece by the great Finnish architect Alvar Aalto. It is worth a visit in its own right - but outside performance times you can only visit by participating in a guided tour.
There are a number of carpeted, couch-lined venues combining smooth tunes with exciting cocktails. Some are a separate part of chic restaurants. While the city is generally quiet Sunday-Tuesday nights, a well-dressed clientele begins boozing in earnest on Wednesday, and you can expect lines at the most popular places on weekends. The compact size of the city center makes it easy to barhop. In Kamppi, the Corona Bar & Billiards with its nine pool tables, one snooker table, small bites and beer is a fun and relaxed place to hang out. Downstairs, the Dubrovnik lounge & lobby hosts different cool events and happenings. In Punavuori, Cafe Bar 9 has been a popular destination for a decade now. Just the right degree of "trendy", it is frequented by a widely diverse crowd. Belly is a club in the evenings and a lunch place during the day with cool bands worth checking out.
Another venue worth exploring is the Ateljee Bar in the Hotel Torni. This is a modest space boasting magnificent views from nearly 60 meters above the city center, and it also serves innovative cocktails. Another option is Ravintola Teatteri. Mecca has a DJ spinning international music in the lounge downstairs on Wednesday and Thursday, and in the larger second-floor lounge overlooking the dining room on the weekends. Helsinki's most popular jazz club, Storyville, has live jazz, blues, rock-and-roll, and dancing Monday-Saturday.
Others who are not into the bar scene may enjoy the Grand Casino Helsinki which has roulette, blackjack, slot machines, and poker tournaments, as well as dinner shows and restaurants.
The Finnish orchestra scene is full of energy, and the leading orchestras are acclaimed for their high quality and skill. There are several professional orchestras, one opera orchestra, and some chamber- and semi-professional orchestras in Helsinki. Finlandia Hall is a popular venue for concerts. Finlandia Hall is a masterpiece by the great Finnish architect Alvar Aalto. It is worth a visit in its own right - but outside performance times you can only visit by participating in a guided tour.
There are a number of carpeted, couch-lined venues combining smooth tunes with exciting cocktails. Some are a separate part of chic restaurants. While the city is generally quiet Sunday-Tuesday nights, a well-dressed clientele begins boozing in earnest on Wednesday, and you can expect lines at the most popular places on weekends. The compact size of the city center makes it easy to barhop. In Kamppi, the Corona Bar & Billiards with its nine pool tables, one snooker table, small bites and beer is a fun and relaxed place to hang out. Downstairs, the Dubrovnik lounge & lobby hosts different cool events and happenings. In Punavuori, Cafe Bar 9 has been a popular destination for a decade now. Just the right degree of "trendy", it is frequented by a widely diverse crowd. Belly is a club in the evenings and a lunch place during the day with cool bands worth checking out.
Another venue worth exploring is the Ateljee Bar in the Hotel Torni. This is a modest space boasting magnificent views from nearly 60 meters above the city center, and it also serves innovative cocktails. Another option is Ravintola Teatteri. Mecca has a DJ spinning international music in the lounge downstairs on Wednesday and Thursday, and in the larger second-floor lounge overlooking the dining room on the weekends. Helsinki's most popular jazz club, Storyville, has live jazz, blues, rock-and-roll, and dancing Monday-Saturday.
Others who are not into the bar scene may enjoy the Grand Casino Helsinki which has roulette, blackjack, slot machines, and poker tournaments, as well as dinner shows and restaurants.
