Sivukirjasto Helsinki

A library of beer

Janiina from Helsinki

About me I've been living in Helsinki since 2007, when I moved here to study musicology in the University of Helsinki. I was born in central Finland and grew up in eastern Finland, but Helsinki has become my real home town. Music is my greatest passion, but I love art and culture in general, from movies to exhibitions and comics. Why Helsinki? In Helsinki I ha...
""Sivukirjasto" in Helsinki is next to Kallio library and is itself called 'library'. It really feels like a living room & has local specialty beers!"

Located next to Kallio library, it is clear where the bar Sivukirjasto gets its name - kirjasto meaning library in Finnish. I have heard that some new customers have actually confused the two and gone to the real library looking for beer.

Bars and cafes are often described as the living rooms of locals and I don't think it's an exaggeration at all to use this description for Sivukirjasto. Even though Sivukirjasto is usually quite busy and crowded, especially during weekends, the atmosphere is mostly relaxed.

Sivukirjasto has a nice selection of beers, often including local specialties like sahti, a traditional Finnish beer-like drink, and nice offers of wine. They have also a wide range of board games, which makes Sivukirjasto a really nice place to spend time with friends. They also serve some bar snacks, a treat which is unfortunately quite rare in Finnish bars but makes a long evening a lot nicer.

Sivukirjasto has also a nice, sunny terrace during summer, a perfect place to spend summer evenings watching the lively parks around.

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Helsinki Spotter Janiina

About me I've been living in Helsinki since 2007, when I moved here to study musicology in the University of Helsinki. I was born in central Finland and grew up in eastern Finland, but Helsinki has become my real home town. Music is my greatest passion, but I love art and culture in general, from movies to exhibitions and comics. Why Helsinki? In Helsinki I have been living in the districts of Vallila and Kallio and they are my favourite parts of the city. But every once in a while I like to leave my neighborhood and explore more distant parts of Helsinki....

About this spot

Fleminginkatu 5

Beer:

5

403723603

Dec 9, 2025

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