Tallin Nightlife
Those looking for sophistication in their nightlife scene may be a little disappointed by Tallinn. Chic it is not, and it is none the worse for it, with a wide range of homely pubs and bars available, where the emphasis is on fun and beer. Sure, the city has a reputation for attracting stag weekenders, but only the more desirable kind. Visitors cannot go far wrong if they head to the Raekoja plats, where there are a number of good establishments, although many sound as though they have arrived straight from Dublin.
One of the most atmospheric haunts can be found in the lower town on Müürivahe. Gloria Veinikelder is a converted wine cellar and provides drinkers with a huge range of out of the way tables to sit themselves, with dark furnishings and soft lighting adding to the experience.
Nearby, on Olevimägi, Levist Väljas divides opinion. The town's rougher element can often be found here, and few tourists discover the place. Down in this cellar bar, the drinks are cheap and the music loud. A good place to know about if the rest of the city's bars have shut for the night.
The city's only microbrewery, the Beer House, is based on Dunkri in the old town. It houses a variety of unique ales and lagers and is a great treat for the beer lovers in your party.
For live music, a large number of bars will have a forlorn looking man behind a piano. Why not try Von Krahl for something a little rockier? This bar is located next to a theatre on Rataskaevu and is well worth a visit. For the best in Tallinn bands, Kolumbus Krisostomus in the old town is widely regarded as the place to go, with a decent line up always playing on Fridays and Saturday nights. Nearby, Nimega Baar on Suur-Karja attracts good beat-combos from throughout the country and occasionally beyond.
Electronica fans, meanwhile, should definitely try out Depeche Mode on Nunne. It caters to the darker end of electronica but certainly provides plenty of local colour.
Tallinn is not big on its trendy nightclubs but one of the few, and certainly the best, is RIFF on Viru väljaak. Officious bouncers and trendy décor will have you thinking you're in New York.
Finally, those tired of the boozing should definitely make sure they take in a production at the Estonia Theatre & Concert Hall at some point. This magnificent building, rebuilt in 1944 following bomb damage, is the capital's main venue for theatre, opera, ballet and classical concerts. This centrally located complex is home to three venues so there should normally be something on to keep you entertained. Tickets are fairly priced too.
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Nightlife
