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Nightlife & the Arts in Helsinki

Read our Helsinki nightlife reviews. Or post your own.

Helsinki Nightlife

Helsinki nightlife has perked up considerably in recent years, and your choice extends from noisy bars and late-night clubs to more intimate cafés. The relatively small size of the central area makes it possible to visit several places in one night, but after around 9 on weekends expect lines at the popular hangouts. Cover charges, when required, average EUR 5 to EUR 10.

The Helsinki City Tourist Office has a Clubs and Music Bars listing of music nights and cover charges for various venues.

In summer, plays and music are performed at many outdoor theaters, including Keskuspuisto, Suomenlinna, Mustikkamaa, and the Seurasaari Islands, and also at the Rowing Stadium.

Private support of the arts in Finland continues to be strong—especially for the theaters, the best-known of which are the National Theater, City Theater, Swedish Theater, and Lilla Teatern. However, unless you are fluent in Finnish or Swedish, you'll have a difficult time understanding the performances. Check Helsinki This Week for a listing of the latest performances.

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