Tallinn is Estonia’s capital on the Baltic Sea, and is the country’s cultural hub. It retains its walled, cobble stoned Old Town, home to cafes and shops, as well as Kiek in de Kök, a 15th-century defensive tower. Its Estonian History Museum is dedicated to the country's 20th-century history, and its Gothic, towering Town Hall is among the Baltic region's oldest.
Tallinn's atmospheric Old Town is an enthralling hotch potch of medieval streets and spires. It's a small city, and the tourist areas are safe and easily explored on foot. Buy a Tallinn Card if you intend to use buses, trolleybuses or trams. A great place to visit is Balti Jaama Turg, the renovated market hall on three levels with fresh food, clothing and antiques vendors, plus hip eateries. For a look into Tallinn's past, visit Rocca-al-Mare Open Air Museum's typical rural Estonian taverns, windmills and watermills......
Here is a useful link for getting to and from the airport and using public transport👍🏻
But as always its the beer that we are here for, Tallinn has 17 breweries (as of June 2022) and quite a few good beer taverns worth visiting. So here is Otto's take of Tallinn's beer bars;
Kochi Aidad, Lootsi 10
Hours: Mon - Fri 11.30 - 16.00
A nice Czech/Bavarian style brewpub near the harbour. The ambiance is pretty good. It’s pretty new, well Bavarian-beery- decorated without seeming too touristy or fake. Nice woody interior, big and spacious. Beer samplers are available great tasting beers and a super frindly bar person. Food is good and great value. Definitely worth visit.
Vaat Brewery, Telliskivi 60M
Open: Wed 17.00 - 00.00 Thurs - Fri 12.00 - 00.00 Sat 15.00 - 02.00
A small modern bar-taproom in the Telliskivi cluster near the main train station and short walk from the Old Town. Very hard to find, even when we knew the exact location it seemed like there was nothing there, but indeed there is a small room with loads of beers on the tap and cheerful service. The Brewery started production in May 22 operating to its full capacity is expected around July, so not too many of their own beers available. The brewery can be seen from the bar area behind glass and the new canning plant, only around 8 tables in the bar. Service is good, prices are reasonable. No proper food, but free popcorn and very delicious pies (limited amount every day, so they may run out) are offered. A great vibe to this small brewery.
Humalakoda Pub Restaurant Brewery, Kopli 1
Open: Daily 12.00 - 23.00
A big brewpub on the side of a big market. Inside there is a nice big bar area to check out the beers on offer. Apart from some taps of different guest beers, most the taps serve their own beers so take advantage of the beer flights. Also lots of tables/seating, very much a restaurant type brewpub affair and a dinners both inside and out. You can enter either from the street through the patio seating area or via the market. Friendly staff, and a nice relaxed foodie bar environment. Curious mural on the bar, could be misinterpreted by some I'm sure, it's the bloody "Danse Macabre" with a beer theme, you idiots! The food is a bit gastro-pub-food and a touch overpriced compared to what is available elsewhere, but the quality is high, and you can also peek into the kitchen.
Beer House, Dunkri 5
Hours: Daily 13.00 - 22.30
The Beer House is a brewpub in the Touristy German-style bierhalle/restaurant. Located in the middle of the old town, coming with the full range of German lagers, from hells and pilsner to märzen, with the odd honey beer thrown in for good measure. True to style, the male waiters dress in lederhosen and the waitresses in Bavarian dirndl. So, yes, this is a tourist trap and has little to do with Estonian culture, but it’s still worth a visit. If not for the show, then surely for the hearty portions of Bavarian-style and the 7 beers. The bier is brewed by a Breewster, (a female brewmaster) called Eve Toomela knows what she’s doing.
UJH Man's Brewery, Kalamaja
UJH Man´s Brewery is a micro gipsy brewery located in Kalamaja, Tallinn. The brewery is specialized on barrel aged beers and sesonal hits.
Vonhop, Harju County
Estonian experimental craft beer that takes your mind on an adventurous journey.
Restaurant Olde Hansa, Vana turg 1
Open: Daily 11.00 - 00.00
A real authentic restaurant from the Middle Ages over 3 floors with a lage street terrace. It is also furnished accordingly. The staff are dressed in medieval costumes and, funnily enough, you are addressed as "My Lord". They are very friendly and helpful when you order. The prices are a bit higher but the food is definitely worth the money. They have a nano brewery that brews old style beers, spiced and honey etc different and well worth trying? This is definitely an experience you have to try when you are in Tallinn.
Hopster, Uus 31
Hopster is a prodigy of two foodies- sommelier Kristjan Peäske and chef Janno Lepik. Who do love great beers! They are so called gipsy brewers meaning they don’t have our own brewery. Limited production gives them the freedom to brew the stuff they truly enjoy. Have a sip, enjoy and come to see them at Leib or Umami in Tallinn. Cheers!
nanoPruul, Madara 25a
nanoPruul is a small and cosy brewery where beers are made as real handcraft. They are using old milk coolers as mashing/boiling kettle and labeling machine is made out of old ATM module. All this makes them really unique and special.
Uncle Brew, Narva mnt 13
Uncle Brew beer is hand-crafted using specially formulated recipes that bring out the true essence of a beer. We take carefully selected hops and pair them with our own recipes to create some of the world's finest craft brews.
Pääsküla Pruulikoda, Õitse 42
A microbrewery in Tallinn
Pappa Pruulikoda, Serva 30
A microbrewery in Tallinn
Kalamaja Pruulikoda, Kopli 24
A microbrewery in Tallinn
Põhjala Brewery & Tap Room, Peetri 5
Open: Tues Sat 12.00 - 23.00 Sun 10.00 - 17.00
A proper place. You can eat here, you can drink here, you can... well that's basically it. Most of their core beers on tap, plus wide range of guests. Certainly worth a detour. Not very close to any other beer places, but not too far away from Uba ja Humal either. The ambiance is sterile. It is a raw industrial building, located in the harbour area (Take the bus 73 to Noblesseneri and walk down the steps away from the harbour about 3mins). It is a new industrial unit, with a very robust design. A spacious three floor place with the brewery attached which is visible behind the windows. A small shop next to entry. A pretentious overpriced hipster place, staff not very helpful, - had to return pint as cracked glass, just poured into another with chips all around the edge and short measure!
Brewery Õlleklubi, Pikk 1
Hours: Daily 12.00 - 23.00
A great place in old city centre in Tallinn, great choice of beers, and delicious food. Founded on 1 September 2012, Three Kings Brewery, was established by 3 Fraternity Leola foxes: Martin Born, Maido Käära, Jörgen Remmelkoor. In their pico-brewery they mostly produce four standard beers. A strange shaped two roomed pace with a large bar area and an indoors smoking room. There are far more atmospheric restaurants with lots better food and beers and bars in the city.
Uba ja Humal, Võrgu 3
Open: Wed - Thurs 14.00 - 10.00 Fri - Sun 12.00 - 23.00
A nice modern taproom close to the seaport, not to far out of north part of old old town easy to get to. Grunge and Alternative Rock is played all the time. Service is nice and friendly. The tap selection is big 20 great Estonian gems. Also a bottle shop with a huge selection of bottles to take out or drink in. L shaped room with the bar in the middle, very modern furniture think Ikea, lots of board games. A great friendly vibe, one of my favs.
Sori Brewing, Suur-Sõjamäe 14
Open: Tours Booked in Advance Only
The brewery is about a 20 minute bus (no.15-Kaubajaama stop) ride from downtown, but well worth a visit. Be sure to take the tour! Located on the 3rd floor of a former Soviet military building that was used to make galvanized steel. The production of steel requires a lot of water, hence the choice for this location: there is a 180m deep well about 50m from the building. They release two new beers every month, without testing it in pilot batches, impressive! Equally impressive is their barrel aging room consisting of 200 barrels! There is a small taproom (without taps) where you can buy and drink their beers, plus a corner with fun merchandise. A great way to spend a rainy afternoon learning about the brewery and tasting brews.
Purtse Tap Room, Telliskivi 60M
Open: Tues - Thurs 15.00 - 23.00 Fri - Sat 14.00 - 01.00
Located just a short walk from the old town and with plenty other places nearby makes it easy to visit. The whole thing is painted like being in a mine, as is their branding. Beers varied from ok to good, 12 taps from Purtse and a fridge with bottles and cans both for taking away or enjoying on site. A couple of tables outside for warm, sunny days. Small and modern, but with relaxed atmosphere. IMO the best brewery tap in the city make sure you visit this one.
Põrgu, Rüütli 4
Open: Wed - Sat 17.00 - 00.00
A lovely old cellar venue in old town, next to an old church. Welcoming staff on arrival. A lovely atmospheric dark candle lit, old rustic place with lots of old well worn stone and wood. The food is great go when you are hungry to really appreciate it. Very friendly and efficient service. About 16 beers on tap, mainly Estonian craft including the Saaremaa farmhouse beer, a great find. Certainly a place worth a visit plus extra point’s for having Pihtla koduõlu on Tap (possibly the only place in Tallinn where you can get genuine Estonian koduõlu on tap).Prices were very reasonable for central Tallinn (where most bars are very expensive now!). Food is traditional and excellent. A mandatory stop in Tallinn. Possible installation of a nano brewery?
Taptap Tallinn, Rotermanni 2
Open:Tues - Thurs 17.00 - 22.00 Fri - Sat 16.00 - 00.00
I cannot recommend this spot enough. The selection of beer and location are only exceeded by the father and son who run the place. Located next door to "BrewDog Tallinn" (for those of you that visit such places!) in a small alley about 1 km away from the Old Town, in the area called Rotermann City. A very modern interior, electronic music is played. A great selection on tap with different sizes to try. From the bar area room can walk into the room next door with seating and shelves of bottles along the length of the room and then at the end a kind of narrow cooled walk in room to open door and select some bottles from. A lovely relaxed ambience, with the old feel of the place with original features intact with the grain silos still there. I'd recommend this spot for every craft beer lover that comes to Estonia.
BrewDog Tallinn, Rotermanni 2
Open: Tues 0 Fri 16.00 - 23.00 Sat - Sun 14.00 - 22.00
A no-nonsense chain bar specialising in the Scottish brewery's craft beers, with regular guest brews. However, the service is absolute rubbish! Pretty much standard Brewdog on tap with a couple of interesting guests. Prices ok to expensive. Worth visiting (I Suppose?) when combining with the excellent TapTap next door.
Koht, Lai 8
A place for your soul. This is a tiny bar accessed through a courtyard behind the main beer shop. There is an extensive list of Estonian and other international beers, the barman is very knowledgeable and willing to provide advice to the bewildered! There are no frills here, just a variety of chairs and tables to facilitate enjoyment of good beer and conversation. As the evening proceeded the bar fills with groups of mainly young people who were clearly drawn by the bar's reputation for top quality beers. Do visit! Dark and rainy evenings are great spent here!
Hell Hunt, Pikk 39
A quirky old beer bar in the old town that claims to be Estonia’s very first pub. Also one of the best beer places in Tallinn with a cool, tree shaded beer garden outside and a large interior for cold days. The pub has a nice selection of draft beer, though mostly foreign; Sillamäe Õlletemas München Vaskne, and their own Hell Hunt house beers, brewed at Viru Õlu, being the exceptions. They also had a good bottled beer selection of about 50, with more Estonian beers but still mainly foreign (Belgian, German, English, Czech). Great service and good Wi-Fi. A nice place for a beer and there are a few ticks for everyone.
Mikkeller Tallinn Viru, Viru väljak 4-6
Open: Daily 11.00 - 10.00
An ultra new bar, that is typical Mikkeller. Modern sparse open plan industrial. Bar with 20 taps mostly their own but some guests. Kitchen to the side of the bar doing street food style menu. Expansive even for Tallinn!
Drink Baar, Väike Karja 8
Hours: Mon- Thurs/Sun 12-23, Fri – Sat 12-03
A nice Bar located in Old Town. The ambiance is good, but nothing special. Service is friendly, but they are not very knowledgeable about beer. The Tap selection is UK Macro Blands but they have some interesting beers in can and bottle but the prices are rather high. Food is good. Overall: worth a visit.
Põhja öökull, Rüütli 28
Open: Mon- Sat 17.00 -22.00 Sun 12.00 -22.00
A really nice place, a bit hard to find? A cosy cellar location, with an interesting history and charming very helpful bartenders. Definitely try marinated eggs!! there better than you think. They have table games evenings and quiz nights. Reasonable prices for food and drinks.
Drink Shop, Müürivahe 15
Hours: Tue-Fri: 2:00 PM - 10:00 PM Sat: 12:00 PM - 10:00 PM Sun: 12:00 PM - 8:00 PM
A great bottle shop in Tallinn Old Town, right behind the Drinks Baar. Not many Estonian beers, but especially England, Belgium and Germany had strong selection. Little shop with great ambience, also some glasses for sale. Prices are reasonable.
SIP Tallinn, Telliskivi 62
Open:Daily 10.00 - 22.00
The Sip wine and beer shop is located in trendy Kalamaja. SIP has a good selection of local and foreign beers. You can buy some from the shop to take with you. Or you can sit down, have a drink, relax and chat with the friendly shopkeepers.
Põhja Konn, Telliskivi 58e
Põhjala Brewery comes to Telliskivi, on the site of the lamented Puudel Bar. The new terrace is great, plus the 20 beers on tap. Slightly smaller range than the taproom in Noblessner, and only snacks on offer food-wise. Very corporate attitude, no flights, expensive beer, no soul.
Terviseks õlut Otto
R.I.P.
Pudel, Telliskivi 60A
Closed Feb 2022
Located in an old industrial area. A bit hard to find, just as the other places over this side of town, but one of the top bars in Estonia once you get there. Pudel means bottle in Estonian and the emphasis here is definitely on the bottle list, which includes a lot of Mikkeller etc... Grab a beer and enjoy some stand-up comedy or bump into strangers that are passionate beer lovers or home brewers. A light and airy modern place great ambiance with a nice patio. Service is nice and nice Plus Free Wi-Fi.
Hopner, Vanaturu kael 3
Closed
A great cosy place at centre of old town. A stone’s throw from Olde Hansa. Its a medium size cellar place with a small terrace in the middle of the most popular tourist paths. Surrounded by souvenir shops, it doesn’t look like much but has an impressive beer menu, rivalling Pörgu in selection of Estonian craft beers. The staff are friendly and seem to know about beer. Well worth a visit.
Neikid Resto, Wismari 3
Closed
A simple, but friendly but modern Baltic restaurant. Not too expensive. May look fancy, but it’s totally OK to have just a drink as well. A Small but good quality selection of beers and cigars, a great choice of wines and food. A bit off the normal tourist track, so it’s not too noisy. Definitely hop in.
Toit’s, Kivisilla 4
Closed
The Best pub this side of town? Located out of the old town, walk past the Viru Centre on the Kaubamaja (right/south) side, and then cut through the parking lot next to Kaubamaja, and it’s there, on the corner with the traffic lights. Classy cafe feel. It has colouring books and pencils, so you can paint your girlfriend’s eyebrows while drinking! Small, but nice selection of bottles and good stuff on tap. Friendly service and relaxed atmosphere. Certainly a pleasant place to enjoy a beer or two with great burgers. Good English spoken (as everywhere in Tallinn).
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