Wines, crayfish parties and non-alcoholic cocktails arrive at Helsinki’s historical kiosks

This summer, entrepreneur-led initiatives are bringing new life to old kiosks in Helsinki that have cultural and historical significance. At the kiosks managed by Helsinki City Premises Ltd at Esplanadi, Hakaniemi Market Square and Hietalahdenranta, visitors can enjoy natural wines, crayfish parties, non-alcoholic cocktails and plant-based ice cream, among other things.

This summer, these culturally and historically significant kiosks managed by Helsinki City Premises Ltd are exploring bold new ideas. Kesä-Muru, which is operating in the kiosk located at the junction of Pohjoisesplanadi and Fabianinkatu this summer, is an ambitious new venture in the heart of the bustling Esplanadi. Meanwhile, Alkuviini continues to offer an extensive selection of natural and orange wines at Hakaniemi Market Square, and Kåska and Friidu are bringing non-alcoholic cocktails and plant-based ice cream to a historical canopy kiosk in Hietalahdenranta.

Through these kiosk initiatives, Helsinki City Premises Ltd is seeking active uses for the city’s old kiosks to bring new life to the city. 

“Preserving sites with cultural and historical significance also means ensuring that they’ll remain in use and as a part of the everyday lives of the city’s residents. With these summer initiatives, we’re exploring what role these old kiosks could play in today’s Helsinki,” says Henna Hakala from Helsinki City Premises Ltd.

Kesä-Muru took over a historical kiosk

Muru, a restaurant run by restaurateur and sommelier Samuil Angelov, has set up shop for the summer in an unusual setting: a kiosk shaped like a spool of thread that is situated at the junction of Pohjoisesplanadi and Fabianinkatu. The kiosk offers a changing selection of wines, sparkling wines and snacks to enjoy at different times of the day. 

As a special opportunity offered this summer, the kiosk’s 35-seat terrace is available by advance reservation for crayfish parties in the heart of Esplanadi. The kiosk is open every day of the week, including Sundays, until the end of August.

“Summer in Helsinki is short and intense. Kesä-Muru offers a place to relax and spend time amidst the hustle and bustle of Esplanadi. You can stop by for a drink, stay for lunch or stay later into the evening,” Angelov says. 

Kåska and Friidu brought conscious pleasures to Hietalahdenranta

This summer, the oval-shaped kiosk with a large canopy that is situated in Hietalahdenranta is hosting a joint summer kiosk run by Kåska, which produces non-alcoholic drinks, and Friidu, which makes plant-based ice cream. Both businesses are driven by the same idea: you do not have to sacrifice your enjoyment, even if your consumption choices change. 

“Kåska and Friidu share the same core principle: we want to offer alternatives that don’t feel like alternatives. Non-alcoholic cocktails or plant-based ice cream aren’t a sacrifice, but modern ways of enjoying life,” says Annika Ikonen from Friidu.

Besides serving food and drinks, the kiosk’s terrace, which seats around 20 people, will also host a range of low-threshold summer events and activities. Over the course of the summer, visitors will be able to enjoy music performances, running events, swimming trips, speed-dating evenings and many other things. 

Kåska and Friidu’s summer kiosk is open at the Hietalahdenranta canopy kiosk from Wednesday to Sunday, 12.00–19.00, until the end of August.

Alkuviini continues to serve as a summer oasis of natural and orange wines at Hakaniemi Market Square

For this entire summer, the kiosk at Hakaniemi Market Square will be operated by Alkuviini, which offers the widest selection of orange wines sold by the glass in Finland, as well as a wide range of natural wines. On the 200-seat terrace of this Helsinki-based import company, visitors can enjoy not only wines, but also fresh baked goods, coffee from small roasteries, non-alcoholic products, seasonal delicacies and lager brewed just three kilometres away. Additionally, the terrace offers a wide variety of music on weekend evenings from 17.00 to 20.00. 

The kiosk and its summer terrace are open, weather permitting, from 12.00 to 23.00 from Tuesday to Friday and on Sundays, and from 9.00 to 23.00 on Saturdays.