Top 10 of a successful gay weekend in Helsinki

June 07 2014

by Jordan Grevet

Far from the sunny Mykonos and Miami, gay-friendly destinations par excellence, Helsinki and its winter temperatures are nonetheless a city where the LGBT community is more than welcome.The capital of Finland has many gay and gay-friendly spots, from bars to nightclubs to hotels, some of which have received the "Gay Comfort" label to better accommodate gay customers.

Helsinki is also a city known for its architecture and design. The city even devotes a district to it.Here is an overview of the ten places not to be missed for a successful weekend in Helsinki.

DTM: the unmissable gay spot
"The gayest place in the world". This is how the DTM (for "Don't Tell Your Mother"), the most important gay establishment in Scandinavia, describes itself. Café, bar and nightclub: the DTM is multifunctional! During the day, the café is the place to go to meet people. At night, the DTM turns into a nightclub where the entire gay community of Helsinki meets. And you won't be lost: Lady Gaga, Rihanna and Britney Spears - to name but a few - set the dance floor on fire!


The DTM

Over 30 years old? Take a trip to the Hercules!
In the vein of DTM, Herculesis one of the most popular gay venues in Helsinki. A lively nightclub, Hercules is located in the heart of the city's gay district, a few steps from the DTM. However, the clientele is older, and it is rare to see anyone under 30.

A club, a bed, music...
Halfway between a bar and a nightclub, Jenny Woo is certainly the trendiest gay place in Helsinki. The bar is divided into three rooms with very different atmospheres - one of them even includes a bed on which you can lie down! Music is very important at Jenny Woo, where the latest hits are played. Theme nights are sometimes organized and artists occasionally come to sing.

Sex and Helsinki
Straight outof Sex and the City, A21 is a trendy, gay-friendly cocktail lounge, very popular for after work. Filled with businessmen in suits and ties, A21 is the perfect place for cocktail fans to discover new mixes and flavors, which is the strong point of this bar, very much focused on innovation.

The best of design and architecture
Located in the heart of Helsinki, the "Design District" is a real concept. It includes 25 streets and nearly 200 stores representing the Finnish know-how in terms of design and architecture. Cafés, restaurants, hotels, art galleries, jewelers, designers... Everything is there. The centerpiece of the district, the forum and the museum that accompanies it allow you to discover some examples of typical Finnish design and to learn more about its history.

How to go to prison (without going through the departure box)
Although it is not part of the "Design Distrct" hotels, the Best Western in theKatajanokkadistrict , in the center of Helsinki, is a tourist attractionon its own.Built in a former prison, the establishment has kept its structure and decoration. Armored doors, fences, metal stairs... It's like being in a prison! Fortunately, the interior of the rooms is much more traditional and offers all the comfort that an honest citizen can expect.


The Best Western Katajanokka Hotel

Sleep or brunch, the choice is yours!
In the heart of the Design District, the Klaus K Hotel is a model. Inspired by the Finnish nationalist epic Kalevala, Klaus K is a complete hotel with a modern architecture. Although the price of the rooms, ranging from a single room to a luxury suite, is quite high, it is possible to go there only for lunch, dinner or even brunch. The all-you-can-eat buffet is extensive and exquisite!

The Bear Park Café for a "bitch"
Areal American-style coffee shop, the Bear Park Café has a particularity, and not the least: it is a gay café.This is reflected in the clientele but also in the decoration of the place, where pictures of naked and muscular torsos are displayed on the walls. In addition to the traditional drinks and pastries, the Bear Park Café offers mugs and t-shirts with this catchy slogan: "Coffee Bitch". That says it all!

It's time for cathedrals...
In a city where architecture is the name of the game, the Uspenski Cathedral is worth a visit.Located near the city center of Helsinki, on top of a hill on the Katajanokka peninsula , this Orthodox cathedral impresses and plunges us into the heart of Alexander II's Russia .Another church of the city: the cathedral of Helsinki, located on the central square of Senaatintor.Evangelical-Lutheran church built in the 19th century, the cathedral has a neo-classical look.


Helsinki Cathedral

A little trip to the sauna!
It will certainly seem surprising but in Finland, there are more saunas than cars! A symbol of the national culture, the sauna is everywhere, even among the inhabitants. Helsinki is no exception to the rule and the city's hotels are all equipped with saunas, with hours for men and women. Helsinki also has a gay sauna, the Vogue, the one and only in Finland. Notice to the amateurs!