So you want a Revolution?! This place is better than…read moreBorsht! It's a legit Russian bar. I strutted in there with the few Russian words I remember (I can order a beer like a Stalinist!) They immediately responded in Russian, and brought me a Baltica. Aaahh- reminds me of Moscow. The bartender was really a local, who is in the local Russian Language Club, where they meet up here to periodically discuss Russian cinema, books and so forth. While here, you're sure to hear about many Russian thoughts and ideas- they speak of revolution! It's a great place for an American to get some alternative viewpoints on the "system." By your third Russian Standard you're sure to be joining with the workers of the world to unite! The bar is small, and authentically decorated in drab Soviet accouterments. They have authentic Russian LPs behind the bar, and a sign from a defunct Soviet airline. Even the paintings have that kind of weird Soviet charm. They have 3 kinds of Baltica, as well as the cheaper Carlsberg Beer from the tap. Don't expect a Siberian tour of beers here- they have the basics and that's all. Don't be a greedy capitalist wishing for more beers than you can sample. It's a great place to people watch here- don't mind those burly guys in the corner in slick shark skin suits and their hair all slicked back- the Russian that they're quickly speaking to each other in hushed tones is only friendly. It's a little hard to find this place, as there's no flashy neon sign, or any sign at all, for that matter. It's a place that I found hidden behind an unmarked glass door covered in curtains next to the Mexican cantina, Corona.

Quite possibly one of my favorite stops in Helsinki, and definitely memorable. One can only…read moredescribe it as being very Soviet inside: dim, red lighting, surly bartender, old music. Order a Baltika and shot of vodka and just enjoy the fabulous ambiance. Pro tip: they stock Żubrówka, a delicious Polish bison grass vodka that is a little hard to find. Drink it here.

This is just what I needed on a cold drizzly May afternoon. Very chill and relaxed atmosphere with…read moreartwork inspired by Frida Khalo that makes you feel like you're having a drink in a shrine of her namesake.

I used to love Bar Llamas, but I'm not so into the new decor and design - it's so girly. Don't get…read moreme wrong - I like a lot of girly things, but Llamas used be awesome in it's own crazy dive bar kind of way. Used to be one of my favorites, but I'm afraid it's lost some of it's charm for me... I do love the swings on the bar still :)

Great pizza (liuska) and nice atmosphere, slightly noisy. Good service. Came here on a wintry…read moreSunday with the family and the pizza was a great success!

This is a very large bar with an amazing selection of gin - 97 different kinds, in fact! The gin &…read moretonics are garnished with various berries and spices, depending on what's compatible with the gin you selected. So while it has the appearance of a steampunk-themed dive bar, they know how to make a good drink. My one complaint is that we were offered small tastes of a couple different gins - combined it was less than a shot and we didn't request them, so I was surprised when we were charged €7 (on top of €11 per drink). Otherwise, great decor, fabulous music from the 40s, and vey friendly staff. Definitely worth a visit, and I loved the bar's own brand of gin.

I went here with a small group to celebrate a friend's birthday party. Noticeable even before…read moreentering the bar was the music, the main attraction of this establishment. There was a 3€ entry fee/coat checking. The steam themed decor was scant, at best, and the service was lackluster. Many of us did not get drinks for half an hour. Despite the music (the live DJ was on top of his game) this bar receives a 1 star due to an inexcusable flaw and service policy. While at the steam bar, I wanted to take a break and use my steamer (an electronic cigarette.) They do not have a smoking room, so smokers are to go outside. I went to the coat-check with my ticket, (late October in Helsinki), and told them I'm going to step outside and return. I was informed of a policy they have, not to return jackets but instead to loan out a thin 'blanket' to smokers. Not only was I adverse to the idea of sharing a blanket with every previous bar patron who wanted to step outside, but my personal vaporizer was in my jacket. When I informed the two people at the coat check of this, I was told that I "could go buy cigarettes at the bar." After making it clear that I want my vaporizer from my jacket and that I do not want to buy cigarettes, that the purpose of me having a personal steam machine is to prevent me from smoking cigarettes, they agreed to release my jacket to me. At a cost of an additional 3€. This is not a joke, and after being polite more than long enough I even began to argue the point of jacket extortion to no avail. I was told "every time I want to touch my coat, it will cost an additional 3€. As a line formed behind me, I eventually told them that I'll take my jacket, and pay the fee upon return. As a matter of principle I did not return, and missed the rest of my friend's birthday. This bar had a lot of potential, but poor hygiene, rude staff, greedy management and terrible rules made creating a yelp account worth the effort.

Stopped in for a quick beer after thrift store shopping. Welcoming bar tender with excellent…read moreEnglish and a friendly smile. Very clean with comfortable booths and free WiFi.

I love Bar Base. Originally from San Francisco, this is one bar that reminds me so much of home:…read morecozy, kind of dive-y, hidden back rooms, and no-nonsense but great bartenders. It is quite easy to become homesick but Bar Base makes me feel like a little piece of San Francisco has been teleported to Helsinki. Did I mention the bartenders are really great at remembering what I drink regularly and don't even have to ask- this is bartending at it's best. Also- quite patient with this American Finnish resident who tries hard but always ends up speaking my own hybrid of Finglish. Love the wooden paneling and semi-creaky floors, the young and lively crowd, and the people who work here. Also- their drinks aren't outrageously expensive. Highly recommended on the following counts: value, service, charmingly semi-dive bar feel, and location. If I had to live in a bar, I'd probably bunk in the back room at Bar Base. Or on the terrace at Torni, but that's a different review. Someday my reviews will be written in Finnish ;) For now, I hope they're moderately helpful for English speakers :)

What about checking out a new bar today? Maybe something pretty basic? With some rock music in the…read morebackground? With a rough but friendly atmosphere? If that sounds interesting to you then you should visit Base today. You find the bar in Kalevankatu between Stockmann and Torni. They serve beer for a reasonable price (at least for the center of Helsinki). And they fill up your glass till the rim. Really good but it makes it tough to get back to your seat without spilling anything. All in all it's a nice place for a drink for a Saturday night. Have fun!

Nice spot for a quiet drink. Polite staff and cold beer.read more

Awesome pizza, the WORST service EVER…read more I love the pizza dough - as a gluten free eater putte's always delivers great value. However the service is absolute shit. Somehow the people think they're above their customers and do not need to be polite, considerate or any other thing considered essential anyplace else where customer service is part of the business. I got so pissed off I left my order and walked out. Get a grip people of Puttes! You just lost a customer.

Solid Pizza option with some interesting options. I had the lamb pizza, which was unique and tasty…read more They have a great selection of beers as well. The prices are quite high considering it's a pizza place, but the quality was great.

BrewDog Helsinki is my favourite BrewDog bar so far. The best way I can describe is as Shredder's…read morehideout in the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles film: loads of young people (some wearing baseball caps back to front) in a colourful space, a droning rock soundtrack (beats MC Hammer!) and an explicit emphasis on fun. The fun is everywhere, from a large mock-up of VHS cases to the left of the bar, to the industrial-looking steps to nowhere that punters can sit on, to the cheeky message below a high window that states "This emergency exit may require Parkour." Unlike too many BrewDog bars in the UK, it's quite well lit too, making the whole experience less gloomy and instead uplifting. That's all backed up by really friendly staff, who were happy to point out local Finnish beer including an extraordinary one that tasted of ripe banana. There's also free wifi, the password seemingly the same as that found in other BrewDog bars.. The beer is expensive, no doubt, but that seems to be a Helsinki/Finland-wide thing rather than particular to BrewDog. Plus, unlike Bryggeri, you can taste the beer here before you buy it, which is certainly welcome.

My husband, the beer snob, who thinks nothing of dropping 5eur on a can of craft beer (yeah - a…read morecan) anxiously awaited the opening of this place like a child waiting on Father Christmas in Summertime. It was kind of sad and pathetic but it also gave him back his will to live, which I had taken from him some time ago. Thanks, BrewDog! His newfound vigor for life can be attributed to your presence just a three minute walk from our home. Score! This is the kind of bar I was missing after (I always mention it...) moving here from San Francisco, the land of beer and wine bars and craft/artisan/mixologized (insert anything really here). BrewDog is so awesome I wish they'd let me bring my baby here. Because if I they did, I'd be waiting outside their window right now, queuing up for one of their delicious craft ciders. On the topic of craft beer, they do it right and they have very knowledgeable bartenders to steer you in the right direction should you not be so knowledgeable. I am, my husband is, but we heard the experts dropping some education for the lesser-familiar several times last night. In the nice, helpful way - not the hipster-glare-y way that one may be accustomed to at some other choice spots. Great interior - very San Francisco, London, New York. Love the attention to detail but in a very Devil-may-care fashion, loads of seating, I think there's a pool table? (Ok. I was really intoxicated last time and sitting in a dark corner). The mood is congenial, people are in high spirits, the bar is hopping, and it is the least-Finnish bar I have been to in Finland. Which is to say: It's my new favorite. All Hail the Dog!