17 Best Nightlife in Helsinki, Finland

Perched atop the historical Solo Sokos Hotel Torni, the Ateljee Bar is a modest space, accessed by means of elevator and narrow spiral straircase, that's big enough to serve its purpose: serving cocktails and other drinks. Though the drinks are expensive, the views of the city from its balconies—and famously, from its bathrooms—are second to none. Art exhibitions are an added attraction.

Steeped in history, this bar was first opened in 1906 by the Helsinki Workers' Association. If that gives a staid impression, don't be deterred: Juttutupa hosts great jazz, blues, and other music nights (admission is free) and has a convivial, authentically Helsinki atmosphere, making it one of the city's best live music venues. At the bar's "revolutionary table," Vladimir Lenin met with fellow conspirators and plotted Russia's revolution, just one element of a fascinating and eventful history. The bar is inside the Graniittilinna restaurant, behind the Scandic Paasi hotel, a magnificent National Romantic–style stone fortress overlooking an inlet from the sea. The menu includes good pizzas and salads, and there is an outdoor terrace that catches the evening sun.

Helsinki's most popular jazz club has live jazz, blues, rock and roll, and dancing Monday–Saturday.

An affluent crowd frequents this cozy English ale house, which is run by a well-known Helsinki cellar master.

Short for "Don't Tell Mama," DTM is the largest and best-known gay club in Finland, combining a nightclub, bar, and event venue with VIP bookings and welcoming "every letter of LGBTIQ." There's an age minimum of 20 on Saturday and 18 on other days. Open Wednesday to Sunday, 10 to 5 . Check website for entry fees.

For an upscale evening of cocktails, dinner, and a live show (June–August), head over to Grand Casino Helsinki's Fennia Salon.

Grotesk belies its name with black carpet, an ornate polished-wood ceiling, and well-dressed people sipping champagne and expertly made cocktails; its courtyard is packed in summer.

Larger than it appears from the outside, this bar offers a huge range of beers, ales, and ciders from across the globe in its snug, redbrick interior.

The dance floor of this old spa structure in beautiful Kaivopuisto is often packed weekends.

The windows of this ornate, classic 19th-century Esplanade venue—containing a café, bar, and restaurant as well as offering one of Helsinki's most popular summer terraces—provide an excellent view of the Havis Amanda statue and the western edge of the Market Square. The terrace is a great place to sip a drink while enjoying afternoon performances on the bandstand on the other side of the Esplanade.

On weekends, late night at Manala is an extraordinary cocktail of elegant tango, bebop, and swing in the main hall and frenetic disco on the top floor. The first-floor restaurant in open until 4 am.

There's nightly live music at this popular Irish pub.

Located on the Esplanade side of the Swedish Theater, Teatteri takes full advantage of its sexy Esplanade location with a perennially cool (and expensive) nightclub and two bar-lounges.

The university-owned Tavastia Club is one of the best rock clubs for top Finnish talent and some solid imports.

Located on the edge of the Kamppi Center mall, Teerenpeli Kamppi serves excellent on-tap and bottled beers from its on-site microbrewery, its own whiskey, and substantial snacks and tapas plates. 

The three spaces here attract students with live music and DJs—blues, folk, jazz, reggae, hip-hop, and Latin are all represented.

Once used as a Finnish State Railways' warehouse, this beautiful four-story, Jugend-style building is now a bar and restaurant with the best selection of Czech beers in the city.