10 Best Things to Do After Dinner in Helsinki

Finlandia Hall (Finlandia-talo), designed by Alvar Aalto, is one of the best-known buildings in Helsinki. This iconic building is an extremely popular venue, with concerts, dance shows, stand-up comedy shows, conferences and other events. As the venue is fully seated, heavy metal or pulsating electronic music concerts are not usually on the bill, but almost everything else is.

Most events are held in the Finlandia Hall, which has room for up to 1,700 people. This is quite a thing to behold in itself -- there aren’t many places like this in Finland. Finding the Finlandia Hall itself isn't hard: the building is on the shores of Töölönlahti Bay, opposite the National Museum of Finland, only a stone’s throw from the steps of the Finnish Parliament. You can get there easily on foot from Helsinki Central Station or from Kamppi.

The Finnish National Opera and Ballet (Suomen kansallisooppera ja -baletti), on the shores of Töölönlahti Bay, is an obvious choice for music lovers. It’s the only professional opera house in Finland, staging premium-quality opera or ballet almost every night. Both options are the highest quality -- according to critics, it’s world-class. Not every show is sold out, but if you are only in Helsinki for a short while, tickets should be booked well in advance.

The shows change often, from classical to modern -- a sign of the facility’s wide-ranging ambitions. You can easily find information and dates for the show you’re interested in on the opera house website. The National Opera and Ballet is on the western shore of Töölönlahti Bay, at the crossroads of Mannerheimintie and Helsinginkatu. From other parts of central Helsinki, the easiest way there is on foot or Trams 1, 4 or 10.

For a special evening, how about the Fööni free flight wind tunnel (Vapaalentotunneli Fööni), at the Redi shopping centre. You fly supported by an air stream coming from below. This air stream keeps you above the ground, at a height that depends on the strength of the air flow. If you’ve never tried it before, you won’t forget it! You can’t just go flying on your own -- for the first few sessions, there’s always a trainer present, and you must wear a flying suit and a helmet. The lowest age limit is 5, meaning younger children will have to watch.

You can find more info on the Fööni website, where you can make a booking. When you’re done, you can enjoy the coffee shop next to the flight zone, which also serves alcoholic drinks. The Fööni free flight wind tunnel is at the Redi shopping centre, in the Kalasatama District. The easiest way to get there from Kamppi or Helsinki Central Station is by tram; the nearest subway station is Kalasatama, right next to the shopping centre.

If you want to listen to rock music in the heart of Helsinki, the best option is Tavastia Club. It’s a legendary spot -- all the top artists in Finland, and a great number of foreign ones, have graced its stages over the years. As there are gigs almost every night, there will be plenty to choose from even if you’re only in Helsinki for a week.

Even though it’s a rock club first and foremost, there’s also acoustic music and hip hop -- plenty to choose from! If there’s nothing that grabs your attention, check out the shows at Semifinal, below the main hall. This is for upcoming talent, and entrance is cheaper. The Tavastia Club is opposite Kamppi, at Urho Kekkosen katu 4. You can get there easily on public transport from Helsinki Central Station or Kamppi metro station.

The Finnish National Theatre (Suomen kansallisteatteri) is the oldest and best known Finnish-language theatre in Finland, and its acts are sure to impress. You can see most of the shows that are talked about throughout the country -- shows that theatre lovers quite simply must catch. The programme is varied: generally, there are simultaneously one or two classic works, plays for even the most refined of tastes, and some good fun for everybody. What they all have in common is that all the actors give their best -- there’s simply no alternative.

You should also check the main building of the theatre, finished in 1902: a stunning sight. The theatre is next to Helsinki Central Station, at Helsinki Railway Square. The location could not be better: you can easily get there on public transport from across Helsinki. If you’re in central Helsinki, the best way is on foot, but if this isn’t possible, almost all of the city’s buses and trams stop within a few blocks, as does the metro.

Near Helsinki Railway Square, Casino Helsinki offers a wide range of casino games as well as four restaurants and extensive entertainment options. It takes after Monaco, Las Vegas and other famous casinos in that customers aren't only offered games, but rather a total entertainment experience. Visitors must dress neatly and stylishly; no sportswear is allowed. You must be 18 to enter the casino.

The casino offers music shows, comedy nights, and various sports nights. You don’t need to play -- you can visit the restaurants and events even if gambling does not interest you. It’s easy to get to the casino, as it is right at the heart of Helsinki, only a stone’s throw from Helsinki Central Station. If you want to stay close by, there are quality hotels on neighbouring blocks.

The great Salmisaari Sports Centre (Salmisaaren liikuntakeskus) is a brilliant choice for those who want to have fun as a couple, in a group, or with kids. There’s a huge range of things to do: sport halls, a gym, a trampolining centre, climbing walls, a dance school, a laser tag centre, an entertainment centre with over 10 simulators and table games, an indoor beach bar, a children’s soft play area, and lots more.

You can work out, dance, do things with kids, or just have a few drinks with your feet in the sand. All the services, and their opening hours, can be easily found online. The centre is to the west of the city centre, in Ruoholahti, right next to Länsiväylä and Salmisaari ice rink. From the centre of Helsinki, the easiest way there is by city bicycle or Bus 21.

Those looking for a relaxed way to spend an evening usually find themselves at Storyville Restaurant, right next to the Finnish Parliament. It’s a jazz club that offers great variety -- you can go there for a drink, dinner, or for the whole evening. The club’s programme depends on the day of the week and the time of year. On warm summer nights, there’s a park-like terrace, a street-level piano bar and an atmospheric lower storey: during colder and quieter times, only the last two options are available. There are Cajun delicacies and other delights, either from the kitchen or -- if weather allows -- from the outdoor BBQ on the terrace. There’s jazz, acoustic and roots-inspired music.

With its location next to the Parliament, Storyville offers you a good chance of running into top-level politicians, but there’s no guarantee of it. Nevertheless, Storyville always offers food, drink and a relaxed atmosphere. Its central location means the restaurant can be easily reached on public transport. If you can find your way to the Finnish Parliament, you can also find Storyville.

On the Rocks, by Mikonkatu, is a sure-fire choice for when you want to enjoy music with a pint or a drink. This rock’n’roll restaurant has a terrace for warmer weather, a pub upstairs, and a club space downstairs with room for 350 people. Even though the place has a rock’n’roll atmosphere, the gigs offered below also include many other events, including hip-hop, alternative music, electronic music and stand-up comedy. Since space is limited, you should always book tickets in advance on the restaurant website.

The pubs and terraces also offer music: in the pubs there are DJs, whilst groups of street entertainers visit the terraces. If you’re going to On The Rocks as a group, you can book a table or a loge in advance. The restaurant is in Mikonkatu, next to Helsinki Railway Square. From other parts of central Helsinki, it’s best to just walk there; from further away, it’s easy to get there on public transport that goes through the centre of the city.

If you want to celebrate through the night, head for Apollo Live Club in the Forum Shopping Centre. This place has many different options: a bar, a karaoke area in the basement, a night club/live club and a covered and heated interior courtyard terrace. The night club and gig space is a former cinema and has plenty of atmosphere.

The music is mainly DJs and various tribute bands and during the week there are stand-up comedy shows. It can get busy at the weekends, so you should book a table in advance on the club’s website, especially if you’re in a big group. You can also find the presenters, schedules and lots more on the website. On The Rocks is at the Forum Shopping Centre at Mannerheimintie 6. If you’re in the centre of Helsinki, it’s best to just walk there; from elsewhere, you can get there using the trams that stop in front of the club: 1, 3, 6 and 10.