Oljenkorsi Helsinki

Full of friendly atmosphere, gathering equally the local residents of Kumpula, Toukola and Arabia neighbourhoods a few kilometers north from Kallio, as well as the craft beer lovers from the metropolitan area, Oljenkorsi has for ages been a landmark and meeting place for all these reasons. Also for me, as even after moving away from the area years ago I still return there to enjoy their impressive selection of up to 150 craft beers, plus numerous authentic ciders, Scotch whiskeys and other specialties! They are also in a network of beer restaurants connecting customers together for on-the-spot reviews of their products, which you can rate and compare through a mobile app, if you want to get really nerdy about it.

Oljenkorsi is located in the idyllic wooden house neighbourhood of Toukola and it's easy to arrive there by bus from Kallio or the city center. In the evening, I have enjoyed it for the occasional live music, watching football games (no big screens though), playing pool or board games – or just meeting people who tend to be social here even to strangers. That’s why many locals especially consider it the living room of Toukola.

Very close to Oljenkorsi there's also the Iittala & Arabia Design Centre located next to the old Arabia ceramics factory (on Hämeentie) as well as the idyllic Vanhankaupunginkoski area with its charming city nature, so I can always easily come up with good excuses for coming this way besides the drinks!