http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/29918 As you'd expect for Helsinki, drink is not cheap - about €11 for two half litres of cider.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/29918 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/29726 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/29726 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21926 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21926 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21101 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21101 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15404
Also, be aware that if you have not warned the hostel that you will be making a late check-in (and by late check-in, they mean any time after 6pm) your reservation may be cancelled and given to another person. So if there's any chance of delay, send an email or call in advance of your arrival.

(The alternative is, if you missed out on point one, to hang around hostel receptions at about 6pm to see if they are yet ready to make some cancellations).]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15404 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15398
The chuch was hewn from a huge chunk of granite, the walls left as jagged bedrock, into which a concrete altar was poured. The copper roof seems to float above the church as the light come from a circular window on to which the roof sits. A proper 'wow' moment.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15398 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15397
Three great shops for any digger: Eronen, LifeSaver and Digelius.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15397 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15396
Every participating store has a free Design District map which details every other store involved and what they specialise in. A great idea.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15396 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15250
A must see in the summer and also in the winter when the sea freezes (supposedly). We spent a great afternoon there in mid August with only about 30 other people. A real highlight.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15250 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/8732 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/8732 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5947
The decor resembles a Finnish countryside bar from the olden days and so does the clientele (this is the cringe bit).

You can have your drink under a massive plastic cow's udders or even sitting in an old Zetor tractor. However, this is only the bar.

The restaurant, on the other hand, is in a different class altogether. The food is very Finnish and very tasty - the menu is available online.

I took two British friends here and at least they seemed to love it - as a funky experience more than a would-be favourite bar, but anyway.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5947 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4156 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4156 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4155 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4155 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4151 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4151 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/3185 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/3185 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/2765
A girl wearing a "Mean people SUCK" badge eyed us up, and I wondered out loud what the red drink was they were all sipping."I don't know the name in English," she replied, after quick consulation of her card-playing chums. "Just ask the barman for the red drink everyone is drinking." The ice in the vodka and cloudberry juice began to melt as we squeezed our way through the throng.

Lots of folk were wearing leather and there were men in make-up. A boxer on a barstool asked me how we'd found this place for Finnish intellectuals before quizzing me on Dostoyesvsky. A blonde ice-maiden asked my friend "Why have you come to Finland? We are such uncomfortable people." Contrary to popular opinion, the Finns are anything but reticent, as we discussed poetry, Arsenal's performance that day, the unmerited prevalence of the Swedish language and the prevailing merits of a range of strange vodkas (including liquorice).

Many Scandinavian shots later we joined in a game of dancing to Suomi humppa around the bar and hugging new-found Lapp friends before rolling off like snowflakes into the Helsinki night.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/2765 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/1029 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/1029 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/8956
I tried grilled eel, scallop sashimi and beef tataki and all were excellent. There is a decent wine and sake list as well as the usual selection of Japanese beers. Service was good and all staff speak English.

There are several private booths, an upstairs "party room" and a further 20 or so covers. While not cheap, a bill for 2 came in good value at €60.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/8956 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/8086
It is possible to find free net consoles in some shopping centres. But the keyboard and interface is fiddly and a pain if you have to stand the whole time!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/8086 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5747
Well worth a visit while in the area.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5747