I love Bar Base. Originally from San Francisco, this is one bar that reminds me so much of home: cozy, 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 :) read more