TALLInn - In Your Pocket

46 nightlife nightlife
One could get the impression that Estonians are hopeless
party animals. For a town its size, Tallinn has a suspiciously
high number of bars and nightclubs. But for foreign
visitors, this just means there’s more variety on offer. This
section is designed to help you pick the nightspot that
suits your mood, whatever that may be.
Expat hangouts
Whether or not you consider it a stamp of approval, these
bars and pubs are where Tallinn's expats, and more than a
few tourists, tend to congregate.
Cafe VS E-2, Pärnu mnt. 28, tel. (+372) 627 26 27, info@
cafevs.ee, www.cafevs.ee. You will never be alone in this
groovy well-established favourite bar of locals and expats alike,
which interestingly doubles as an Indian restaurant. There's always
a vibrant ambience which, depending on the time of day, will
have you chilling on the comfy lounges or grooving when the DJs
are in the house later in the evening. Head to the more intimate
room downstairs for a bit of privacy. QOpen 10:00 - 24:00, Fri
10:00 - 02:00, Sat 12:00 - 02:00, Sun 12:00 - 24:00. USW
Clayhills Gastropub C-2, Pikk 13, tel. (+372) 641 93
12, clayhills@clayhills.ee, www.clayhills.ee. Serving up
gastronomical delights both by day and night, this is a great
place to hang out ina relaxed atmosphere. Clayhills offers up a
healthy selection of local and imported beers, heart-warming
and creative pub cuisine and a healthy dose of live music
on weekend evenings. You'll also be able to catch the latest
football match on the big screens or watch Tallinn pass you
by from one of the window seats. If you're looking for a more
intimate experience, you can check out the cosy upstairs on
the 2nd floor. QOpen 11:00 - 24:00, Wed, Thu 11:00 - 01:00,
Fri, Sat 11:00 - 02:00. (€11). J6EW
The Baltics’ first Gastropub
EUROPEAN & ESTONIAN cuisine
Large selection of local & imported BEERS & WINES
LIVE MUSIC every weekend
ONLY 50m from the Townhall Square
RESERVATIONS:
+372 641 9312 • clayhills@clayhills.ee
Pikk 13, Tallinn • www.clayhills.ee
Hell Hunt B-3, Pikk 39, tel. (+372) 681 83 33, hellhunt@hellhunt.ee,
www.hellhunt.ee. If you just want to
grab a beer with friends and avoid the tourist scene, Hell
Hunt (The Gentle Wolf) is probably your best bet. An open,
comfortable drinking establishment with a strong sense of
style, it pulls in the locals by the droves with its no-nonsense
atmosphere. While here, try the pub's own brand of light and
dark beers (brewed in Viru Õlu). Good, cheap food too. QOpen
12:00 - 02:00. Age restriction 18+. J6IEXW
Mad Murphy's C-2, Mündi 2, tel. (+372) 625 45 44/
(+372) 601 10 70, www.madmurphys.ee. Mad Murphy's
has taken over the space of Tallinn's longest running,
authentic Irish Pub - but have no fear, given the extensive
renovations and commitment to excellence, Murphy's should
more than make up for the void that Molly's left behind. It's
everything you'd expect from an Irish Pub and a whole lot
more. Featuring a well-ventilated smoking room, a dance-floor,
more large-screens than you can shake a stick at and some
fantastic live music on weekends, Murphy's will certainly get
quite 'mad' any night of the week. They also serve up loads of
your favourite pub grub as well as a few signature dishes just
to keep things 'fresh' as it were. Great summer terrace and
an excellent selection of beers on tap. Meet you at Murphy's!
Sláinte! QOpen 10:00 - 04:00. JXW
Nimeta Baar (The Pub with No Name) C/D-3, Suur-
Karja 4, tel. (+372) 641 15 15/(+372) 56 49 14 91,
nimetabaar@hot.ee, www.nimetabaar.ee. In case the
flags hanging out front don't give it away, Nimeta is the quintessential
expat bar. At times it looks like something between
a British stag party hangout and an expat boys' club, but a
good number of locals and backpacker types make it more
interesting, especially on weekends when DJs get people into
the dancing mood. A good place to watch sports and/or eat
pub food. QOpen 09:00 - 03:00, Thu, Fri, Sat 09:00 - 05:00.
Age restriction 18+. JUXSW
Tonic D-2, Suur-Karja 13, tel. (+372) 680 76 17. The pub
formerly known as Nimega (The Bar With a Name), is still a
very lively locale on Old Town's main bar street. This nightlife
reincarnation hopes to attract a slightly more urbane crowd
than those who used to come here for cheap drinks. The air
here is still generally one of boy-meets-girl and on weekends,
the little dance area in back sees plenty of action. The
former 'Molly Malone's' is rumoured to be opening up here
in the near future so don't blame us if you find it closed and
under renovations. QOpen , Mon, Tue 11:00 - 02:00, Wed,
Thu 11:00 - 03:00, Fri 11:00 - 07:00, Sat 18:00 - 07:00, Sun
18:00 - 02:00. JXW
Tallinn In Your Pocket tallinn.inyourpocket.com
How to toast in Estonian
If you want to get in good with the locals, it never hurts
to learn how to toast in the national language. Luckily
it’s fairly simple here: Estonians toast by clinking their
glasses and saying ‘Terviseks’ (health). It’s crucial, however,
that you look your drinking companion in the eye
just as your glasses are clinking. If you miss this step,
the toast doesn’t count and you’ll have to start all over!
Estonian style
If you're looking for a bit of local flavour, try these.
Karja Kelder C/D-3, Väike-Karja 1, tel. (+372) 644 10
08/(+372) 644 65 87, karjakelder@hot.ee, www.karjakelder.ee.
A well-loved Old Town pub with a more relaxed,
local feel than its expat-oriented neighbours, Karja Kelder is
definitely one to seek out. The variety of cheap beer (and food)
makes it a hit, as do the occasional live bands. One caveat
is that it gets crowded in the evening, necessitating a totalitarian
coat-check policy. QOpen 11:00 - 01:00, Mon, Sun
11:00 - 24:00, Fri, Sat 11:00 - 03:00. (€5.10). JESW
Kochi Ait Tavern G-3, Lootsi 10, tel. (+372) 666 73 08,
info@kochiaidad.ee, www.kochiaidad.ee. An authentically
recreated tavern just next to the 'D' terminal in the port,
Kochi has pulled all the stops to make sure that locals and
travellers alike will want to come back for more. The cuisine
is top-notch for the price, they have live acts booked pretty
much every weekend and they've built a functional brewery
on the premises. When everything is up and running, you'll
be able to sample some of their fantastic micro-brews which
includes, among other speciality beers, a 'live' draught as well.
Until then you'll have to settle for one of the many fantastic
imports, either bottled or on tap. QOpen 08:00 - 23:00, Fri,
Sat 08:00 - 01:00. (€9). UEXSW
Kolmas Draakon (The Third Dragon) C-2, Raekoja
plats 1 (Town Hall), tel. (+372) 627 90 20, draakon@
kolmasdraakon.ee. Tucked into the corner of Tallinn's
famous Town Hall, this teensy-weensy tavern has both a
historic ambience and an enviable location. Better still, it's
owned by Olde Hansa so it's guaranteed to be a great locale
to grab a soup, pastry or a pint of 'mead'. All drinks are €2,
food is €1 and brine pickles in the barrel are FREE! QOpen
08:00 - 24:00. JS
Seiklusjutte Maalt ja Merelt (Traveller's Pub
and Club) H-4, Tartu mnt. 44, tel. (+372) 601 07 62,
juhataja@seiklusjutte.ee, www.seiklusjutte.ee. Named
for Estonia's favourite collection of adventure stories, this
popular local has a warm, airy, lodge-like feel - a sharp contrast
to the nearby market area. There are plenty of maps
and globes here to help you plan your expedition to Danger
Island, or the Centre of the Earth or wherever. Big-screen
TV and comfy chairs. QOpen 11:00 - 24:00, Thu, Fri, Sat
11:00 - 02:00. (€6). ISW
Valli Baar D-2, Müürivahe 14, tel. (+372) 641 83 79.
The Valli is definitely one Tallinn establishment you need to
check out. Let's just say that it is so full of ‘local colour', it
even had a documentary made about it recently. It's also a
well known fact that attractive blondes often head here for
the house speciality 'Millimallikas' cocktail before trawling for
men over at Club Hollywood. This bar undoubtedly makes it
seem cool to be a dirty old man. QOpen 12:00 - 02:00, Sun
12:00 - 24:00. JE
tallinn.inyourpocket.com
OPEN EVERY DAY from 12.00 to 02.00
Pikk 39, Tallinn, Estonia, www.hellhunt.ee
Cigar lounges
Puff to your heart’s content in these highly urbane
shop/lounges.
Chicago 1933 C-3, Aia 3, tel. (372) 627 12 66,
info@chicago.ee, www.chicago.ee. This is handsdown,
the best cigar lounge in the city. The lounge
comprises the entire upstairs floor of the restaurant,
contains a walk-in humidor, a copious amount of fine
cigars and more cognac than could kill the entire lineup
at the Kentucky Derby - that’s horses and jockeys.
QOpen 12:00 - 24:00, Wed, Thu 12:00 - 01:00, Fri
12:00 - 03:00, Sat 14:00 - 03:00, Sun 14:00 - 24:00.
JUXSW
La Casa Del Habano C-2, Dunkri 2, tel. (+372) 644
56 47, lcdh@havanas.ee, www.havanas.ee. Owned
by Estonia’s exclusive Cuban cigar distributor, this beautiful,
casual Afro-Caribbean-style lounge has comfy chairs
and a warm look. It’s a sensible place to stop for a Cohiba
or a cup of Cuban coffee at the beginning or the end of
your evening out. Friendly, professional service. QOpen
10:00 - 01:00, Sun 12:00 - 22:00. JXW
Sigari Maja (Cigar House) C-2, Raekoja plats
16, tel. (+372) 631 47 35, info@cigarhouse.ee. The
quiet, old-fashioned luxury at the Cigar House extends to
wood panelling, a fireplace and busts of ancient Greek
philosophers. If you want to sink into a leather sofa and
sip expensive brandy, this is the place. A wide selection of
Cuban, Dominican and other cigars on offer. QOpen 11:00
- 01:00, Sun 11:00 - 16:00. Age restriction 21+. JIX
April - May 2012
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