Venues
This site contains a list of the most common venues for events, with directions. It's usually a good choice to use public transport for moving between places, and you can find schedules and route suggestions in the HSL journey planner (see journey planning).
Clubrooms and function rooms
Christina Regina (Klusteri)
Location: Leppäsuonkatu 11 (OpenStreetMap)
Klusteri – i.e., the clubroom for Matlu ry (the umbrella student organisation for the Faculty of Science) – is a popular spot for organised as well as spontaneous recreational activities. The space offers a wide variety of sofas for lounging, music from Spotify, a piano, a large collection of board games, a projector, and game consoles with games. There is also a kitchen with refrigerators in the lounge area. In addition to general hanging out, Klusteri often acts as the venue for board game and movie nights.
When arriving from Kamppi, the route passes restaurants like Kampin Pippuri, McDonald's and Fafa's. The fridges at Klusteri are stocked with soft drinks, which can be bought with cash.
The doors to Klusteri are locked. Entry can be requested by ringing the doorbell and waiting for someone with a key to come open the doors. Keys are entrusted to active members of the organisations, who sign up to take care of the clubroom by cleaning it and making sure events there stay in hand.
The organisations making use of Klusteri clean it with volunteers. TKO-äly's cleaning duty comes up around every six weeks and everyone with a key is expected to participate in it – other volunteers are also welcome, of course. An especially good and easy way to help with cleaning is to behave with tidiness at Klusteri and making sure the space is clean before leaving!
Directions
In autumn 2022, the easiest way to Klusteri from the campus is with the bus 70, from Kustaa Vaasan tie to Hanken. This takes around 20 minutes. Trams 1 and 6 can be used to get as far as the Central Station, from which the walk to Klusteri is around 10 to 15 minutes. There is also the alternative of travelling to Kalasatama for the nearest metro station and riding the metro to Kamppi, from which the walk to Klusteri is a bit over 5 minutes.
Alina Hall
Location: New Student House (Mannerheimintie 5 A) (OpenStreetMap)
The Student Union's Alina Hall is a popular location for parties and sitsit. The hall can house a large crowd and comes with a sound system for blastin music.
! The A-block of the New Student House is undergoing a lift renovation probably until the end of 2022, due to which the Alina Hall is unavailable. The directions will be updated at a later date.
Directions
The fastest path from the Central Station goes via Mannerheimintie or through Kaivopiha.
Parks and other outdoor spaces
Kaivopuisto
Location: OpenStreetMap
Kaivopuisto is a popular setting for summer days for students and others alike. The park is especially full on Vappu (1st of May), when many come to celebrate the nearing summer. Some stores can be found near the park for acquiring beverages.
Directions
Tram line 3 passes by the park. With a brisk pace, it takes a bit over 20 minutes to go by foot from the Central Station.
Kumtähdenkenttä
Location: OpenStreetMap
Kumtähdenkenttä is a nice little park right next to the Kumpula Campus. Orientation week usually entails hanging out there with freshers and tutors. The park is also a very comfortable distance away from the Arabia shopping centre, which houses grocery stores and an Alko, among others.
Directions
Downhill from the Campus towards Arabia, crossing Kustaa Vaasan tie.
Suomenlinna
Location: OpenStreetMap
Favoured by TKO-äly and many other student organisations for late-summer picnics and the traditional location for the Head Start event taking place before the orientation week. The usual spot for TKO-äly is in Susisaari, on the ramparts northwest of the summer theatre (see map above).
There are shops and cafés in Suomenlinna, but in order to avoid unnecessary walking and commercial congestion, it's recommended to fetch one's supplies before arriving on the island.
Directions
Unless arriving by private boat, one should take the ferry from Kauppatori (Journey Planner). A ticket valid in Zone A is required for the ferry.
Saunas
Attic Sauna Sivistys
Location: Leppäsuonkatu 11 (OpenStreetMap)
Sivistys is located in the same building as Klusteri. The sauna itself is quite small and houses up to 10 saunaers at a moment. The lounge room can host a bigger crowd. The space has refrigerators and a small kitchen. There's a roof terrace for fresh air and taking in the sights.
Directions
Same as Klusteri.
Mäkelänkadun Edustussauna
Location: Mäkelänkatu 87 (entrance from Koskelantie) (OpenStreetMap)
A rather big sauna and lounge space with a cold-water pool. The annual freshers' sauna night is usually held here.
Directions
From campus, bus 506 stops near the entrance. From the centre, tram 7 and several 6-initial buses stop nearby.
Bars and pubs
Oljenkorsi
Location: Intiankatu 18 (OpenStreetMap)
Oljenkorsi is the regular haunt for many in Kumpula, thanks to its location and a decent selection of beers and ciders. Located a stone's throw away from campus, it's a common place of respite after a long day of studying. In addition to its selection of beverages (some of which come with a student discount), Oljenkorsi offers board games, a billiards table and some snacks. There are also Donald Duck vintages. A 30-question pub quiz is held on Tuesdays at 19:00.
Directions
From campus, walking north on Kustaa Vaasan tie and across the road at the intersection with Intiankatu. From the centre, several 7-initial buses stop nearby as well as tram 6.
Kaisla
Location: Kaisaniemenkatu 16 (OpenStreetMap)
Kaisla is one of the most popular beer parlours in Helsinki. It serves a wide selection of quality beers from all over the world, as well as ciders and the mandatory long drink. There's a sizeable collection of board games and a menu of pub food, should one get hungry. It's a nice place to get started, socialise or just stop by for a beer without being horrible for those wishing to steer clear of alcohol.
Directions
From campus, trams 1 and 6 stop at Kaisaniemi right in front of the doors. From the Railway Square, it's 20 metres up Vilhonkatu, past Casino. Exit C from the University of Helsinki metro station also leads close to the doors.
Kalliohovi
Location: Vaasankatu 17 (OpenStreetMap)
As the name implies, Kalliohovi is situated in Kallio. It has netted business from Kumpula students thanks to its comfortable atmosphere but especially thanks to its affordable prices.
Directions
From campus, any bus or tram headed towards the centre. Via metro, the closest station is Sörnäinen.
Musta Härkä
Location: Mäkelänkatu 52 (OpenStreetMap)
Musta Härkä, situated in Vallila, offers student discounts and a genuine suburban pub experience with its daily karaoke and a wall-free men's room. There's also a small nightclub in another room.
Directions
From campus, the easiest route is by a 25-minute walk. From the centre, tram 7 and several 6-initial buses stop nearby.