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• Fun facts: Bar density 2010

City of HELSINKI


Helsinki is the capital and largest city of Finland. It is in
the southern part of Finland (Uusimaa region) on the shore
of the Gulf of Finland, by the Baltic Sea. The population
is about 590 000 at the moment. Helsinki is Finland's administrative
and business centre. There is also a large and varied collection
of museums and galleries.
Very cozy and intimate city to visit at.

Official Helsinki site
Helsinki in Wikipedia

If you have new info on these existing pubs/restaurants OR there is a pub missing and you think it should be included, please inform me: legless.scotsman@gmail.com











OLUTRAVINTOLA PIKKULINTU
(Klaavuntie 11, Puotila district)



This place can boast of having perhaps one of the largest collection of single malt whiskies in Finland (around 300) and the collection includes e.g. Bowmore Vintage's 1957 (38 yo), 1968 (Bourbon Wood, 37 yo), 1971 (Sherry Wood, 34 yo), Lagavulin 21 yo and Ardbeg vintage 1965 (39 yo) + a whole lotta more brands on the shelves. Pikkulintu is one of three restaurants in Finland to have received Whisky Magazine's award for being one of the best whisky restaurants in the world (Michael Jackson (R.I.P.) visited the pub many times when was in Finland). It is weirdly not situated at the city centre but at Puotila district few kilometres to east. Lots of good beer available and they also organize whisky tasting evenings. Great and very very eccentric place to make a whisky pilgrimage....
Re-evaluated: October 2010.

MY VIEWS:
Whisky collection:
Brilliant whisky collection (about 300 brands). Whiskylist available. The most expensive dram costs 220€ (Bowmore 1957)
The staff:
The staff on duty was good, pro and polite and they let me examine the bottles. I also didn't have to pay after every dram.
The environment & atmosphere:
Very basic pub environment but still was somewhat cozy. Relaxed atmosphere. Popular place. It was a positive surprise to see there was no music at the background. Well, during our stay at least. Was easy to chat.
Variety of collection:
Excellent collection with lots of special bottles.

Pikkulintu website
The location of Pikkulintu
What Whisky Forum members think about this restaurant





BLACK DOOR
(Iso Roobertinkatu 1)



Beer pub where you can find real ale but also approximately 75 single malt whiskies. Offer tastings and they've also had some rarities in the collection, like Bowmore 1971 vintage 34 y.o.
Re-evaluated: February 2011.

MY VIEWS:
Whisky collection:
Good whisky collection (about 75 single malts).
The staff:
The staff on duty was very good, pro and polite and they let me examine the bottles. Special thanks to bartender Esa Paloharju and his knowledge of whiskies.
The environment & atmosphere:
Basic pub environment but definitely better than an average Finnish pub. Dartboards available. Relaxed and calm atmosphere. Music wasn't too loud and it was easy to chat with your friend. Very enjoyable.
Variety of collection:
Lots of special bottles.

Black Door (Delifox) website
The location of Black Door
What Whisky Forum members think about this restaurant





PUNAVUOREN AHVEN
(Punavuorenkatu 12)



Evaluated August 2008.

MY VIEWS:
Whisky collection:

About 55 single malts available (approximately 60 totally). Good Islay collection.
The staff:
The staff on duty was very professional. Excellent knowledge of whiskies. They also let you examine the bottles.
The environment & atmosphere:
Very basic decoration.
And very basic Finnish bar feeling.
Variety of collection:
Nice Islay collection.

Punavuoren Ahven (Delifox) website
The location of Punavuoren Ahven
What Whisky Forum members think about this restaurant



TEERENPELI
(Olavinkatu 2)



Evaluated: April 2008

MY VIEWS:
Whisky collection:

Nevertheless there were only about 30 single malts I chose to put this pub to A-grade just because they offer that second Finnish single malt: Teerenpeli.
The staff:
Good service by the staff on duty and they also let you examine the bottles.
The environment & atmosphere:
Modern style pub with nice details in the decoration (like Macallan bottles on the wall).
Music wasn't too loud and it wasn't luckily hit pop songs coming out of the loudspeakers. Mellow feeling at the moment I was in. Tasty toasts if you're peckish.
Variety of collection:
Better than average variety.

Teerenpeli website
The location of Teerenpeli (Kamppi)
What Whisky Forum members think about this restaurant








MALTAINEN RIEKKO
(Aleksis Kiven Katu 56)



Re-evaluated: October 2011

MY VIEWS:
Whisky collection:

Approximately 40 single malts on the shelves.
The staff:
Basic service by the staff on duty but they let the customer to examine the bottles.
The environment & atmosphere:
British style pub with a nice decoration. Music wasn't too loud and no list-hits from the loudspeakers.
Variety of collection:
Quite basic collection with few interesting bottles.

Maltainen Riekko website
The location of Maltainen Riekko
What Whisky Forum members think about this restaurant



VIISI PENNIÄ
(Mannerheimintie 55)



Re-evaluated: October 2011.

MY POINTS AND VIEWS:
Whisky collection:

About 35 single malts available.
The staff:
Good whisky knowledge by the staff on duty. Bartender let me examine the bottles.
The environment & atmosphere:
Modern bar environment.
Variety of collection:
Recently few very nice specialities on the shelf, like Duncan Taylor's 35 year old Banff. Nice.

Viisi Penniä website
The location of Viisi Penniä
What Whisky Forum members think about this restaurant



AMERICAN BAR
(Hotel Torni, Kalevankatu 5)



International cocktail bar. A combination of modern style and thirties.
Evaluated August 2008.

MY VIEWS:
Whisky collection:
About 35 single malts. Total of about 50 different whiskies. Whiskylist available.
The staff:
The staff on duty had a good whisky knowledge. They also let me examine the bottles.
The environment & atmosphere:
Tati'ish looking environment. Modern/sophisticated. Background music was jazzy and nice. Ok atmosphere. A nice place to stop on your way home.
Variety of collection:
Better than average collection.

American Bar website
The location of American Bar
What Whisky Forum members think about this restaurant



VILLI WÄINÖ
(Kalevankatu 4)



Pub that has about 30 single malts.
Re-evaluated January 2011.

MY VIEWS:
Whisky collection:

About 30 single malts available (Most expensive was Ardbeg Single Cask 1975, 100€/4cl). No whiskylist available.
The staff:
Basic but friendly service. Knowledge of whiskies varies much between bartenders.
The environment & atmosphere:
Nice environment. In two (or three, depending how you see it) storeys. Very straight-forward decoration. Very good atmosphere. Enjoyable. Lots of beer lovers having a good time. Very good collection of beers from Finnish breweries.
Variety of collection:
Better than average.

Villi Wäinö website
The location of Villi Wäinö
What Whisky Forum members think about this restaurant





JANOINEN LOHI
(Linnankoskenkatu 12)



Pub that has about 30 single malts.
Evaluated July 2009.

MY VIEWS:
Whisky collection:

Approximately 30 single malts available.
The staff:
Basic but very friendly service.
The environment & atmosphere:
Nice pub environment. Good atmosphere. Enjoyable.
Variety of collection:
Basic collection.

Janoinen Lohi website
The location of Janoinen Lohi
What Whisky Forum members think about this restaurant





KITTY'S PUBLIC HOUSE
(Keskuskatu 6)



Beer pub where you can also find real ale.
Re-evaluated: October 2011.

MY PVIEWS:
Whisky collection:

About 30 single malts available. Collection contains e.g. Glen Elgin Mackillop's Choice 1974, Bunnahabhain 35 YO and GlenDronach 33 YO.
The staff:
Basic knowledge of the whiskies by the staff on duty. No whiskylist but they let me examine the bottles which was nice.
The environment & atmosphere:
British style pub with some nice aspects (like beautiful chairs, a "fireplace", pictures on the wall etc.) Busy pub atmosphere but still quite nice feeling.
Variety of collection:
Basic collection but there are few interesting items.

Kitty's Public House website
The location of Kitty's Public House
What Whisky Forum members think about this restaurant





ANGLETERRE
(Fredrikinkatu 47)



The oldest British style beer pub in Helsinki (since 1976).
Good collection of single malts.
Two real ales available!!!
Re-evaluated: December 2011.

MY VIEWS:
Whisky collection:

About 30 single malts.
The staff:
On duty was a hectic bartender. Basic service.
The environment & atmosphere:
Basic British style pub but had three dartboards for pub activity. Quite Finnish bar feeling.
Variety of collection:
Surprisingly few interesting items available like Bruichladdich MCMLXXXV or Laphroaig Triple Wood.

Angleterre website
The location of Angleterre
What Whisky Forum members think about this restaurant





OLD ANCHOR
(Pursimiehenkatu 16)



Ahoy! Ye landlubbers, argh. Old Anchor is a marine-type restaurant with a nice decoration but nowadays quite diminished whisky collection.
Re-evaluated: November 2011.

MY VIEWS:
Whisky collection:
About 25 single malts were on the shelf.
The staff:
The staff on duty gave me quite basic service. Whiskylist was available and the bartender let me examine the bottles.
The environment & atmosphere:
Marvelous nautical decoration. Lots of imagination used. A spectacular interior, all in all. Peaceful. Music wasn't too loud. Very enjoyable.
Variety of collection:
Basic bottles but few interesting items.

Old Anchor website
The location of Old Anchor
What Whisky Forum members think about this restaurant



GROTESKI
(Ludviginkatu 10)



Evaluated: May 2008.

MY VIEWS:
Whisky collection:
About 20 Scottish whiskies. Total amount is approximately
35 whiskies.
The staff:
Basic service by the staff on duty.
The environment & atmosphere:
Quite unpleasant environment. Too modern for me. Cold. The wooden ceiling was very nice. Hard to tell because everybody was outside at the terrace because it was a very warm summer day.
Variety of collection:
Basic collection.

Groteski website
The location of Groteski
What Whisky Forum members think about this restaurant



AMIGO
(Tehtaankatu 12)



Evaluated June 2008.

MY VIEWS:
Whisky collection:
About 20 single malts. Total of about 25 whiskies. Also "Finnish Edition" of Port Ellen was available.
The staff:
The staff on duty had a better than average whisky knowledge. They also let you examine the bottles.
The environment & atmosphere:
Nice environment. Very enjoyable atmosphere. Relaxed customers. El Salvadorian bartender Billy was very funny and I also tasted his brilliant invention: Chili-Koskenkorva* which was very hot and tasty. Make sure you take tomato juice with it. That makes the burn cool down. (*Koskenkorva is the so called national alcohol drink in Finland. Nickname: Kossu).
Variety of collection:
Basic collection.

Amigo website
The location of Ravintola Amigo
What Whisky Forum members think about this restaurant



WILLIAM K - ANNANKATU
(Annankatu 3)



Evaluated August 2008.

MY VIEWS:
Whisky collection:

Approximately 25 single malts available.
The staff:
Basic service by the on duty staff members.
The environment & atmosphere:
Like other Willim K's they also have nice table cloths. Traditional British pub style.
Basic atmosphere.
Variety of collection:
Basic collection.

William K - Annankatu website
The location of William K (Annankatu)
What Whisky Forum members think about this restaurant


VASTARANNAN KIISKI
(Runeberginkatu 26)



Evaluated: July 2011.

MY VIEWS:
Whisky collection:

Approximately 20-25 single malts available.
The staff:
Basic service by the on duty staff members.
The environment & atmosphere:
Nice traditional Finnish pub atmosphere.
Variety of collection:
Basic collection.

Vastarannan Kiiski website
The location of Vastarannan Kiiski
What Whisky Forum members think about this restaurant



HOTEL GRAND MARINA
(Katajanokanlaituri 7)



Lounge bar of Hotel Grand Marina.
Evaluated: June 2011.

MY VIEWS:
Whisky collection:

Approximately 20-25 single malts available
The staff:
Basic service by the staff on duty.
The environment & atmosphere:
Hotel lounge bar, so quite uncool environment.
Variety of collection:
Basic collection

Hotel Grand Marina website
The location of Hotel Grand Marina
What Whisky Forum members think about this restaurant



WILLIAM K - MANNERHEIMINTIE
(Mannerheimintie 72)



Re-evaluated: November 2011.

MY VIEWS:
Whisky collection:

Approximately 20 single malts available.
The staff:
The staff on duty was helpful and let me examine the bottles.
The environment & atmosphere:
A cosy British style pub. Nice table cloths. Very good for the afterwork pint. Good relaxed atmosphere.
Variety of collection:
Basic collection.

William K website
The location of William K (Mannerheimintie)
What Whisky Forum members think about this restaurant



HILPEÄ HAUKI
(Vaasankatu 7)



Evaluated: February 2008.

MY VIEWS:
Whisky collection:

About 15 single malts available.
The staff:
Very helpful, kind and friendly service by staff on duty. They also let me examine the bottles.
The environment & atmosphere:
Very basic pub (the area behind the desk was nice with books and decorations). Okay, basic pub atmosphere.
Variety of collection:
Basic collection.

Hilpeä Hauki website
The location of Hilpeä Hauki
What Whisky Forum members think about this restaurant







O'MALLEY'S
(Hotel Torni, Yrjönkatu 26)



The first Irish Pub in Finland (since 1981).
Evaluated: March 2008.

MY VIEWS:
Whisky collection:

About 15 whiskies available.
The staff:
Good service by the staff on duty. It was a positive surprise to see the nosing glass with a lid on. Hard to tell because I was there early in the afternoon, so it was quite quiet at the moment. Music wasn't too loud.
The environment & atmosphere:
Basic Irish style pub.
Variety of collection:
Basic collection.

O'Malley's website
The location of O'Malley's
What Whisky Forum members think about this restaurant



WILLIAM K - KURVI
(Helsinginkatu 2)



Evaluated: February 2008.

MY VIEWS:
Whisky collection:

Approximately 15 single malts available.
The staff:
Basic service by the on duty staff members.
The environment & atmosphere:
Like other Willim K's they also have nice table cloths. This pub has a very twenties style interior, not so much as a traditional pub.
Variety of collection:
Basic collection.

William K - Kurvi website
The location of William K (Kurvi)
What Whisky Forum members think about this restaurant



WILLIAM K - TENNISPALATSI
(Fredrikinkatu 65)



Same kind of collection like in other William K restaurants.
Evaluated: April 2008.

MY VIEWS:
Whisky collection:

Approximately 15 single malts available. Collection had e.g. Bruichladdich 20 yo.
The staff:
The staff on duty was basic.
The environment & atmosphere:
A nice pub with nice table cloths. Good relaxed atmosphere but music was too loud.
Variety of collection:
Basic collection.

William K - Tennispalatsi website
The location of William K (Tennispalatsi)
What Whisky Forum members think about this restaurant



ST. URHO'S PUB
(Museokatu 10)



The oldest beer pub in Helsinki (since 1973).
Evaluated: February 2008.

MY VIEWS:
Whisky collection:

About 15 whiskies available (Eilan Gillan, Sheep Dip and Finnish edition of Port Ellen also available).
The staff:
Basic service by the staff on duty. No whiskylist available. Bartender let me examine the bottles.
The environment & atmosphere:
Very basic decoration. The booths were nice. Was like a basic Finnish bar.
Variety of collection:
Basic collection.

St. Urho's Pub website
The location of St. Urho's Pub
What Whisky Forum members think about this restaurant




The Legless Scotsman's Guide - since 2007