Tislaamo Distillery Bar

Tislaamo runs above the working stills of The Helsinki Distilling Company at Työpajankatu 2a in Teurastamo, the city's redeveloped slaughterhouse district in Kalasatama. Founders Kai Kilpinen and Mikko Mykkänen opened it in 2014 as Helsinki's first distillery in over a century, per Time Out.

The building has lived several lives; Time Out lists a power plant, a soap factory, a meatball workshop, and a car wash. Now the house spirits carry World Whiskies Awards medals, including a 2025 category win for the 10 year Rye Malt.

Who would hate it? Big room energy seekers. Wednesday through Saturday this is a warm, low lit local, not a club.

A two storey red brick shell holds the bar, with two copper stills visible through large glass windows below. Google reviewers call it a rich, warm, ambient bar and a great place for dates, and the 1860s stone whisky cellar sits a few minutes away on the edge of Teurastamo.

Order a gin and tonic at 13 euros with any house spirit and the bar's own Muteman tonic; the Helsinki Dry Gin at 47 percent takes pink grapefruit and lingonberry. Happy hour drops it to 9.50 euros from 4pm to 6pm.

Cocktails hold at 14 euros. The Pontikka Mule rides Tyrnipontikka, a sea buckthorn spirit, under house ginger beer.

TripAdvisor reviewers call the cocktails the main draw and among the best in Helsinki. The crowd builds Wednesday to Saturday, with DJs or live music most weekends and a summer terrace program of open stage jams.

What regulars say:

• Best cocktails in Helsinki, including ones made with their own spirits, per TripAdvisor reviews.
• All four drinks were super delicious, and the price point is very fair for the quality, per Google Maps reviews.
• Do not let the rough surroundings bother you; these guys know what they are doing, per a TripAdvisor review title.
• The 15 euro distillery tour books out; the kitchen takes last orders at 9.30pm.

Who it is for:

• Date that needs warmth, not noise
• Gin drinkers who want to see the stills working
• Avoid if you want a big Friday room; Sori Taproom brings more taps and more crowd

Helsinki's best reason to ride the metro one stop past the centre. Land at happy hour, take the G&T board, book the tour.

Getting there: Työpajankatu 2a R3 inside the Teurastamo complex; Kalasatama metro sits about 600 metres away.

Timing: Wed and Thu 4pm to 11pm, Fri from 4pm and Sat from noon until 1am or later; happy hour 4pm to 6pm.

Cost: G&Ts 13 euros, cocktails 14, zero proof builds 8; distillery tour 15.