Gay Helsinki: a gay guide to Finland’s capital

The other day I was looking over a travel guide from Germany and found a special section: a list of recommended places that are gay friendly. Since it really is an important aspect for many travellers – for instance, gay tourism from Russia into Finland has increased since Russia’s anti-gay laws were passed – and we haven’t yet talked about that here on Big in Finland, here you have it: a guide for a Gay Helsinki.

A Gay-friendly Helsinki

Helsinki is a member of the IGLTA (International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association) because its streets and services radiate a tolerant vibe and attitude.

In Helsinki there are many places, services and guides that are Gay friendly. Source.

The list of places for a great Gay Helsinki experience comes from the city’s official tourism website, Visit Helsinki, since they are definitely much better connoisseurs of the gay scene in the capital. All the recommendations we put in this article (and many more) you can also check out on its website here.

The following list of places for a great Gay Helsinki experience is divided on four categories: hotels, bars, shopping and restaurants. We also add some locations and names so you can easily check them out on Google Maps.

Bars, cafés and night clubs

• Café Cavalier, at Malminrinne 2-4
• Hugo’s Room, café, bar and terrace, at the street Iso Roobertinkatu 3
• Nalle Pub, at Kaarlenkatu 3-5
• Kulmakahvio – Bear Park Kulma, a little café at Agricolankatu 13
• Hercules Gay Night Club, right in the center of Helsinki. Concretely at Lönnrotinkatu 4.

A gay Helsinki. Source.

Shopping and hotels

• EDEL City, where you can find ecologically made objects at Fredrikinkatu 33.
• The prison-themed hotel Katajanokka.
• Hotel Albert, at Albertinkatu 30.
• Klaus K Hotel, hotel which concept and decoration was inspired by the Finnish national epic: the Kalevala. It is located at Bulevardi 2-4

Highlight: the biggest gay club of the nordic countries

We want to highlight the DTM, one of the big gay clubs in Helsinki, open at a new location since February 2013. It is the biggest bar and gay club Finland and the Nordic Countries, and also attracts lots of tourists from Russia.

The DTM won an award last year from the Finnish newspaper City as the best dance floor in town. Therefore, one can pretty safely say that good music is guaranteed. It is located right in the center of Helsinki, at the street Mannerheimintie, 6B.

A club in Helsinki. Source.

The Gay Parade of Helsinki

On the website Helsinki Pride, they list all the events related to the Gay week of Helsinki. It has already passed this year (it was from the 24th to the 30th of June) but happens every year around those dates. Bookmark their website if you want to be kept up-to-date on Helsinki’s gay scene during that party-filled week.

Have you been to some of these places? Do you have any further gay Helsinki recommendations? Let us know in the comments.

Topics: Finland Tourism, Helsinki | 1 comment |  Print This Post