Whilst I avoid 'Irish' bars at home you have occasionally to make use of them abroad & Molly Malone's was on our way home when in Helsinki for the weekend at the start of March so it made even more sense at the time. Like most of its type it doesn't have a great range of beers but, being where it is, it's probably a bit more extensive than you'd find in UK ones, for example. We were in on a Saturday night (when it closes at 4am) and the place was heaving from Midnight onwards. The punters we spoke to were all good sorts so it's certainly worth a visit if you fancy making contact with some locals. Like the Tardis the initial perception of the place isn't the whole story. Go upstairs to the performance space/dancefloor and you're confronted with a hall at least twice as big as the downstairs bar. There was a metal/rock cover band on when we were in (with an oddly varied set-list) and I have the impression that generally that's what you can expect to experience most nights of the week. Put your coats in the cloakroom though as the bouncers can get very ratty if you don't (no idea if that means there's a high likelihood of pickpocketing or not). read more

An insult to Irish culture. Every second person quizzed me on the existence of leprechauns. The price of Guiness was extortionate. The Guiness was watery and tasted like Smithwicks. The bar tender dabbed when I asked for a napkin. read more

Well, for all my friends who can read nothing but English, here is my review of Molly Malone's. My first time at Molly Malone's, I was staying just around the corner which made this Irish pub a solid base of operations for my exploration of Helsinki. It is your basic Irish pub with few frills, but the cider is a nice break from your average Helsinki beverage. Prices are reasonable, and the bar is very clean which may contribute to a less authentic feel. My first time at Molly Malone's I recall that my bartender was really annoyed with some of the bar's Russian clientele. Ok, maybe a group of drunken Russian's singing songs of the motherland was like nails on a chalk board to an Irishman, but I had great time that afternoon and couldn't wish for anything better. Several years later, I found Molly Malone's to be the same safe haven I had experienced so long ago. The only difference this time is that I wasn't staying in Helsinki so my stay was unfortunately brief. Still a cold pint of Ireland's finest is always good when you can get it. read more

Visited early on Saturday evening with a couple friends. No cover, no queue, didn't check coats. Found a small booth downstairs. If I recall, the live music is upstairs every night, but didn't check it out this particular night. There's also a terrace to the courtyard side, but I didn't try to visit so not sure if its open this time of year. Just popped in for a few quick Guinness pints. Great pour and settle by the barkeep! Efficient and friendly staff. Fun fact: I've also been to this pub's sister, The Brazen Head in Dublin. Worth checking out if you're ever there :) There's currently some construction going on to the outside of the building, so be aware if you're having trouble finding it. read more

Molly Malone's - Mmm. Thirsty yet? Great pour. - Restaurants Near Me - Helsinki, 18

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i have visited this place in 2012 when it was "place to be". Today the staff is really rude, drinks are expencive and the band is something you can hear in elementary school. rude bouncers dont speak good english/finnish. waste of money. read more

I have spent some fun nights at this bar. Not a huge fan of the music that the DJ plays, but whenever there's a live band the whole atmosphere changes. For an awesome night, go to Molly Malone's when there's a live band playing! read more

Great place to to have some drinks and listen to music. We spent a Sunday afternoon there Lots of people pass by, so there is a lot to see, while listening to the good selection of music and enjoying your beer. Staff there was ok. read more

Really nice place, good atmosphere, live music and several floors to occupy. Perfect little "hole in the wall". A bit expensive though, compared to other pubs, but totally worth it! read more

Paid 2.50 euro for them to lose my coat, and then swear at me and physically abuse me and a friend when I questioned them about it. A man who wasn't working when I handed over the coat insisted I only gave them a bag, and then when I pointed out that I paid for two of us, he said that we gave them two bags and a coat. After pointing out that he only gave back two bags, he told me to fuck off, and pushed both of us outside. It wasn't even worth going to anyway - the music and beer were poor. read more

Found it by chance looking for a bar after dinner. When we walked in it was a bit small and no music so we asked if there was an Irish pub with music in the centre. What we didn't realise was we were (a) on the wrong floor and (b) too early. At 22h30 though the band got going in the much bigger bar upstairs and for a midweek evening started slowly filling up. Stayed for the first two sessions and left just after 1h00. Good crowd, friendly staff, will definitely be back! read more

Please you are advised NOT to try getting into this club if you do not have a European passport, that's specifically what the door man said to me. On Saturday 28th February 2015 I went to Molly Malones, (it's supposed to be an Irish pub) in downtown Helsinki, it was about 3.00 in the morning but I couldn't be let in, the interaction with the doorman went something like this:- Me: Terve (this is Finnish for Hello) Doorman (mumbling into his chest): Terve I attempt to go round him Doorman (Another mumble into chest): I'DD (as in ID, emphasizing the d) I rummage through my many layers of clothing (this is Helsinki, its cold) and give him my passport. He squints at it in the half-light, looks up with the expression of one who hasn't deciphered anything of what he was just reading and hands it back. We move out of the way as a large group of teeny boppers, boisterous boyfriends in tow pass into the club. No IDs asked, none given. Me: So Doorman (Casting around as if for something lost in the fog of his mind, looks at his shoes, looks at the ground): Grunt, snort, grumble, oink, mumble A look across the street, then a look to his left, then finally at me and it's of the old - Oh you are still here - kind. So I gather my credentials need a bit of bolstering, and this border patrol man needs more reassurances. More rummaging through layers and finally I whip out my residence visa card, medical cards, credit cards, bank cards, and my mother's birth certificate, and he gives them all a cursory but dismissive glance. Me: What now? Doorman (looking slightly pleased with himself): Passport. Me: But I showed you my passport Doorman (very pleased with himself): European passport Me (Incredulous): Really, since when? Doorman (smugly and with a flourish): Sorry bra(he actually called me that), club policy. Methinks I would be stretching it a bit to roam around with two passports even if I had them, right? But I got the message so I walked away. Now, am an African and I don't want to jump to obvious conclusions here so I won't, and also there is the slim chance that it actually is management, owner or club policy and this guy was just doing his job (very happily at that), but still I just couldn't help wondering, Helsinki, progressive, year 2015, really? Not to mention I've been to this club before, admittedly it was a weekday and the doorman didn't even bother to ask for a European passport or any ID for that matter, let alone stop me from entering. But then again since it was a weekday and the club appeared low on attendance, then my No-European-Passport money was good then, but this time it was full house and my money was no good. Huh! However, no bother, there are many bars in Helsinki, I had my drink finally at Club Zetor, where a nice gentleman at the door ushered me in, and he even spoke a few words in my language unbidden to make me feel welcome. Well, what do you know! Thanks man, much appreciated. read more

Very disappointed. We (a party of 3) arrived at 2300 after dinner on our way back to the Hilton for an irish coffee. The bar looked not very crowded for a Saturday night. We were turned away at the door by the bouncer. I asked if they had too many people inside and he said no we looked a little drunk. After a glass of wine with dinner at 8 o'clock followed by water I think not. We didn't press it as we didn't think it was worth it. All we had read about this place is its great for expats but we felt if you don't speak finish don't plan on getting in. I would not recommend this place based on the bias of the bouncer at the door. We have traveled all over the world and I have never experienced such discrimination before. read more