Tallinn Nightlife

Tallinn's nightlife has a big reputation that belies its diminutive size as one Europe's smallest capital cities - albeit one of its most attractive. The biggest influx of visitors come from Britain where cheap flights draw stag parties and people on salacious weekend breaks, and Finland, where booze cruisers dock to take advantage of inexpensive alcohol. Tallinn's nightlife is conveniently clustered around the compact old town, and the streets are safe to walk around at night.

The top nightclubs are Venus Club and Club Hollywood, both long-standing mega-venues that accommodate over 1,000 patrons and attract top DJs. The most famous bars are the Nimeta, and the Nimega (respectively the bar with and without a name) and Molly Malone's an Irish theme pub overlooking the town square. To sample some of the local micro-brews visit the appropriately named Beerhouse.

When these get too crowded seek out the many chic lounge bars and trendy wine bars that attract more locals than visitors. Tallinn artists and intellectuals tend to gather in the Von Krahl theatre bar, while homesick Britons cluster at Café VS which offers excellent curries. Tallinn also has many revue bars which offer an up-market striptease experience.

For live music, visit Guitar Safari, and for larger concerts see the programme at Saku Suurhall in the old town. There are some excellent classical music concerts at the Estonia Concert Hall and the imposing Linnahall. See the schedule of performances in the free Tallinn In Your Pocket guide available throughout the old town.

There are four main cinemas, all centrally located, and all showing films in their original language with Estonian subtitles. There are also a few casinos, such as the glitzy Olympic Casino and old-town based Casino Grand Prix.