Viva Corona! This Mexican pool hall is muy bueno! It's…read moreowned by the famous Finnish filmmakers, Aki and Mika Kaurismäki- you've almost certainly seen their stuff. The dark, contemplative place is a perfect embodiment of their films, brought to life as a Mexican bar. Apparently, this is the Finnish movie director's view of a NYC pub, with a Mexican twist. The bar tenders don't speak Spanish, but they do have their namesake beer in bottles! They offer a brand of tequila I'd never heard of, and I like to think I know about tequila. But the beers were cold- the best option seemed to be the stuff on draft. There were plenty of pool tables open when I went, so if you wanna rack 'em up, this is a good place to do so. They offer free wifi too! Out front, be sure to bask in the warming glow of the space heaters! The place was clean, and the service was nice. They looked confused when I tried to hablo mi Espanol, and I looked even more confused when they replied in Finnish. But we settled on English and cervezas, and everything worked out just fine. Parking looks like it could be a challenge, as there is only street parking along here. There are also plenty of other pubs in the general vicinity if you get bored and want to move on.

The number one place to play billiard in Helsinki is unaccountably Corona Bar. Several billiard…read moretables are available here - one for snookers nine for pool. On the weekend you should be early or otherwise got to wait a bit. Once you have a table you can play as long as you like and pay by time later. And this place has an interesting history too. 20 years ago it was founded by the world famous Finnish directors Aki and Mika Kaurismäki in the style of a laid back New York street bar. Prices for drinks are very reasonable here.

If you don't have any idea where to go for a round of pool then check out Baribal. This is probably…read moreone of the most original billiards places you can find in Helsinki. It's all about the games. You find ten pool and also three snooker tables. They also have darts and even table icehockey. A table is 7 € during the day and 11,50 € in the evening. Of course they have drinks as well. And that is bascially all you have to know about Baribal. It's a great place. Go check it out!

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!

Being waited too long to be checked in I feel sad that we…read moreare wasting our time I'm hoping our room Has view

Day 1 thus far. Check in was a little rough but Jami smoothed things over and provided fantastic…read moreservice. The view from the lobby is wonderful and the rooms are lovely. Unfortunately, the dinner staff at the restaurant are truly awful (in contrast to the breakfast team who are sunny and helpful). Sofia from the dinner staff was unbelievably rude - I am not sure why she's in this industry. It is the first time I have felt discriminated against in all my years of travel for business or pleasure. Anny, her manager, took her side without even listening to me, which left me shaking with indignation. The hotel could also do with more people manning the front desk phone as there is no one that picks up - but that is something that can more easily be sorted out.

A run down classic in the middle of Helsinki. A nice change in the era of trendy hipster bars and…read moremega discos... PS. If the old lady with dreadlocks is on duty: behave, she gets pissed of easy and you might be out the door faster than you can say cheers! I would also recommend learning to order your beer in Finnish as I'm pretty sure her English is not too great (and she might trough you out for this also...! :) Has a pool table and karaoke!