In a country which is known for it's open spaces, beautiful forests, and natural beauty Helsinki, Finland not only has beautiful scenery but also has a robust and exciting nightlife to round out your day.
Helsinki is the capital of Finland and sits on the southeast coast of a peninsula adjoining the Baltic Coast. With a diverse background of both Swedish and Russian influences you will find a combination of eclectic and intimate venues, which will bring your nightlife experiences to a new level.
In order to make informed decisions, there are a few cultural aspects, which you need to familiarize yourself with.
First, Helsinki is easy to explore on foot. There are numerous centralized areas, which include cafés, bars, lounges, pubs, and restaurants, which are great places to begin your evening.
Keep in mind that Finland did adopt the European Euro as their national currency. In addition, traveler's checks, credit and debit cards are also accepted in most locations.
Also tipping is not a necessary part of Finnish culture. A service charge is usually added to the final bill, so be sure and check before tipping additional tenure. Also, although friendly locals, a hand shake will be sufficient upon greeting, no need for kissing or hugging exchanges.
Dancing, drinking, and genuine hospitality are commonplace to the Finnish culture. A common practice of the Finns is to celebrate little weekend- pikku viikonloppu on Wednesdays. This makes for a busy mid week at the local bars, and cafés with plenty of people and fun.
When your talking about nightclubs, the variety of choices is extensive in Helsinki. From dancing, sports themed bars, or live music there's a place for everyone. Some of the places of interest that you might try are, the Botnia Club, or Hesperia Nightclub. For the jazz lover you might try Storyville, or the wine bar Erottaja. If you're looking for a younger club scene, try Gloria or for a slightly more mature clientele try Copacabana.
Helsinki locals love karaoke so you will find plenty of piano bars, and local pubs with plenty of opportunities to hit a chord.
The summer and warmer seasons are a great time to be in Helsinki. It is custom to take to the outdoors, and this includes many bars, cafes, restaurants open up to terraces called terrassits and outside patios. It's a great way to enjoy the beautiful surroundings of the city, as well as, meet and socialize in a friendly atmosphere. The largest summer terrace area is along Mikonkatu, so don't miss out on this opportunity.
If you'd like to place a bet or two, Helsinki welcomes you with open arms. The Ramada Presidentti Hotel houses a casino, which includes roulette, blackjack and slot machines. In addition, there are many local clubs and bars, which offer blackjack tables including the professional card dealer.
Now that you've found a place to your liking, what are some of the beverages, which are offered? Finnish drinking age for alcohol under 20 percent is 18, so consequently there are strong beers, wines and spirits offered at the higher alcohol percentage. For a local appeal try the Finnish soft drink Jaffa Frisco or some coffee including latte's and cappuccinos.
For the performing arts aspect of the city, go with Finladiatalo which is home of the Helsinki Philharmonic. If your looking for original Finnish opera The Finnish National Opera- Suomen Kansallisoopera is available for performances. Also there are numerous performances of rock, and chamber music the Temppeliaukio is a great option.
If your interested in live theatre, The National Theatre, City Theatre, Swedish Theatre, and Lilla Teatern offer a variety of performances. Remember that the performances will usually be in Finnish or Swedish.
Helsinki offers numerous options for film cinema with over 50 cinemas. Some films are offered in their original language, while others have Finnish and Swedish subtitles. An important factor to remember is most cinemas have assigned seating.
You will truly have an opportunity to try a variety of nightlife in this beautiful city. The choices are vast and full of new experiences that will be remembered and cherished. Keep in mind to check with the local tourist office to obtain specific dates and details of the performances.
