B-Side Bar

Probably I’m biased because I’d actually tasted cocktails made by one of the bartenders here, Chris from Brooklyn, back when he still lived in New York City, and loved them. He was always innovating with cool new twists on traditional cocktails like the Manhattan, asking me about my tastes and then coming up with something interesting, sometimes with a Nordic-​inspired twist, like using aquavit (and one of his drinks was called a «Mannerheim Sour»). I knew nothing about cocktails and he pretty much taught me whatever I know — which still isn’t much, so I’m not going to pretend I know what I’m talking about — but I enjoyed reconnecting with him at this quirky, off-​the-​beaten-​path gem of a new bar in Helsinki, which pretty much feels like it’s straight out of Brooklyn, with vinyl records for sale in the back and vintage 1970s movie posters. I also enjoyed chatting with another of the bartenders, Mikko; everyone was very friendly. They have an intriguing selection of beers (my personal favorite is the EloWehnä from the Finnish Keisari brewery), nice wines, and of course you can ask Chris for cocktail suggestions. Giving this bar even more atmosphere is the fact that apparently the space, which was part of an old meatpacking plant here, used to be exactly where the meatpacking workers’ sauna was, and the green tile behind the bar is apparently from the original sauna area. Oh, I almost forgot: speaking of meat, also try the house-​made pastrami sandwich, I thought it was excellent. There is outdoor seating for those endless summer nights. The whole courtyard area here, Teurastamo, where the bar is, is worth checking out; speaking of more meat, the B-​Smokery barbecue joint is just next door as well.