Over multiple trips, we’ve spent our evenings in Helsinki dining at neighbourhood restaurants, trying different local bars and dancing at underground music nights.
In this guide, we share 9 fun things to do in Helsinki at night, from lively neighbourhood bistros and indie cinemas to the best nightlife spots for music and socializing.
9 Cool Things to Do in Helsinki at Night
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Runar might be inside a hotel, but it doesn’t feel like a typical lobby bar.
It’s a funky spot with inventive cocktails and a strong music selection that had us Shazamming nonstop.
It’s also been featured on 50 Best Discovery. A couple of rounds here set the right tone before heading out dancing.
2. Watch a movie in a retro, lounge-inspired cinema
Book a sofa-style seat at Riviera, Helsinki’s indie cinema with two locations. You can even pre-order food and cocktails so they’re ready when you arrive.
We went to the Kallio location and loved its eclectic feel with red lounge chairs, neon accents and house plants.
The second location in Punavuori is more intimate, with two smaller screening rooms, but the same concept.
If you only speak English, you’re in luck - many of the films are international releases shown in English with Finnish subtitles.
It books up quickly, so reserve ahead.
3. Dine at one of Helsinki's buzzy neighbourhood bistros
Dining at Plein, Nolla and 305.
Most nights in Helsinki, we found ourselves at an intimate neighbourhood bistro.
Each one had its own character, with a buzzy yet relaxed atmosphere, seasonal dishes and a local crowd.
305: Best for creative neighbourhood energy
Located in the Kallio district, 305 has a creative, atmospheric feel. High ceilings and green panelling frame the candlelit tables, and the room carries a steady hum. We liked how the menu follows the seasons, built around ingredients from small-scale producers.
Plein: Best for an understated local favourite
Located in Helsinki’s up-and-coming Vallila district, Plein feels intentionally low-key. Set inside a former butcher shop, it’s intimate, with just a handful of tables and a relaxed atmosphere.
The dishes were some of the most creative we tried in Helsinki. The combinations felt original without trying too hard.
Muru: Best for wine lovers
The lighting is low, there’s a chandelier made of wine bottles overhead, and the daily dishes are written on a blackboard. Expect seasonal European plates built around Nordic ingredients, and thoughtful wine pairings. It’s a good date-night choice. Book your table.
Nolla: Best for thoughtful, zero-waste cooking
Nolla means zero in Finnish, reflecting its zero-waste philosophy. From sourcing and fermentation to composting and energy use, every detail is considered. Expect seasonal Nordic dishes built around hyper-local ingredients.
Ateljé Finne: Best for art lovers
At Ateljé Finne, you dine inside sculptor Gunnar Finne’s former studio, surrounded by his works across three levels. It's an elegant space, with refined Finnish dishes that match the atmosphere.
4. Have a rowdy farm-inspired night at Zetor
For something completely different, head to Zetor for a Finnish countryside-inspired night out.
The rustic “tractor restaurant” is filled with farm decor, including actual tractors, and serves hearty Finnish classics like reindeer and salmon in generous portions.
By evening, the atmosphere shifts from casual to rowdy, with Finnish music playing and locals singing and dancing.
5. Listen to live jazz with a cool crowd at Harju 8
Located in the bohemian Kallio neighbourhood, Harju 8 is where a fashionable, creative crowd comes to hang out.
It starts off relaxed, but the energy builds as the evening goes on. On warm days, the terrace fills up quickly, making it one of the best spots in the area to sit outside with a drink.
🎷 And if you’re in town on a Sunday, don’t miss their jazz nights, when local musicians take over for jam sessions. In summer, the crowd spills out into the park.
We had a few drinks here before heading out to Kallio's underground nightclubs.
6. Treat yourself to dinner at Palace Restaurant
For a fancy night out, look no further than Palace, the city’s only two-Michelin-star restaurant. It was also the first Finnish restaurant to be awarded a Michelin star, back in 1987.
The restaurant sits on the 10th floor of a modernist building originally constructed for the 1952 Summer Olympics.
It was worth every penny. The tasting menu centres on modern Finnish cuisine shaped by the seasons, and the service was top-notch.
We had a fantastic night dressing up and watching the sunset over the Baltic Sea.
7. Find your way into Trillby & Chadwick
Track down Trillby & Chadwick, Helsinki’s prohibition-style speakeasy.
There’s no obvious signage, no photos allowed inside, and guests exit through a back door, adding to the mystique.
🚪 To get in: find the nondescript blacked-out door and step into the small foyer. You’ll see an old-school telephone - pick it up and ask to be let in.
Inside, the ambience leans fully into its detective-noir theme, with vintage furnishings and cocktails that each come with their own backstory.
8. Refuel at Kotipizza between bars
Kotipizza is our go-to when we're craving a quick, satisfying bite.
Founded in the 1980s, it’s Finland’s largest pizza chain and became iconic for its Reindeer Pizza, which won an international competition in New York, beating out an Italian American team.
Originally called the “Berlusconi”, it was a cheeky response to the former Italian prime minister, who once mocked Finnish cuisine.
Ari, whose parents were born in Finland, can't get enough of it, and I find it quite addictive.
🍕 My order: pepperoni, pickled jalapeños, red onions and pineapple, with their garlic dipping sauce on the side. Mmm!
9. Discover Helsinki's electronic music scene
For a proper late night, head to Kallio to explore Helsinki’s electronic music scene.
Clubs like Kaiku, Siltanen and Kuudes Linja sit in the same complex and are often listed among Europe’s stronger underground venues.
We spent a night at Kaiku and loved the darker, underground electronic sets. The crowd was a mix of local regulars and European visitors, and it felt welcoming rather than exclusive.
See who's playing at:
If you’re lucky enough to catch a Jungle Unit night, go! They host hypnotic techno events in unique cultural spaces.
We danced in a former 1920s morgue turned cultural centre. It's very much for people who are there for the music. We had so much fun.
We hope you enjoyed these 9 fun things to do in Helsinki at night!
🛏️ Our favourite place to stay in Helsinki: Bob W Helsinki Ullanlinna - we've stayed here three times. It's central and quiet, with nicely designed apartments in a historic building.
Don't miss our 2 Day Helsinki itinerary.
Starting planning your trip to Helsinki
- 🌃 Accommodation: Booking.com is our go-to for finding places to stay. Sort by top reviewed.
- 🛫 Book your flight: use Skyscanner to compare flights across different airlines (we recommend booking direct with the airline however).
Don't forget about travel insurance
👩⚕️ For affordable travel insurance: go with SafetyWing - it's budget-friendly and you can even buy it while abroad, but note the max medical coverage is $250,000 USD. 🏥 For comprehensive travel insurance: go with World Nomads - it's more expensive, but the max emergency medical coverage is $5-10 million, depending on the plan.Save and pin these 9 things to do in Helsinki at night for later:
