I like to touch on themes such as small town nightlife because places like Kuusamo don't really get enough coverage. This is sad so while I am in the area I thought I would give my readers a quick overview of what going out for the evening in Kuusamo really means.
A bit about Kuusamo
Kuusamo is a picturesque town in northern Finland, renowned for its breathtaking natural landscapes and outdoor adventures. Located near the Arctic Circle, Kuusamo is a gateway to the rugged wilderness of Lapland, offering year-round attractions. The town is particularly famous for the nearby Ruka ski resort, one of Finland's most popular winter sports destinations. In summer, Kuusamo transforms into a paradise for hikers, with the stunning Oulanka National Park and its famous Karhunkierros Trail attracting nature enthusiasts. Rich in wildlife and natural beauty, Kuusamo is a haven for those seeking to experience Finland's pristine wilderness.
So, what is there to do on a Summer evening in Kuusamo
Well, you are quite limited..
There are a few bars and if the weather is good a few terraces to sit on and watch the world go by. In the end there is really only one place to go and that is Ravintola Remu which is in the centre of Kuusamo.
Why go to Ravintola Remu?
Good question...
Unfortunately the answer is not very positive, because it is really the only game in town. As one customer mentioned to me when I asked her why she came to Remu, "Everyone comes here if they want to or not", because there is nowhere else to go.
So, what is Ravintola Remu like?
I would say after spending an evening in Ravintola Remu that it reminds me of one of those traditional nightclubs in Helsinki from the 1980's. Now that is not to say that this is a bad thing, because everyone enjoys a bit of nostalgia. And, in reality, Remu is trying to be something for everyone and in some ways it has achieved that goal.
The atmosphere of Ravintola Remu
I kind of liked the atmosphere.
There was an eclectic group of customers making it a great place for people watching. I would suggest that because during the summer there are very few tourists there is quite a heavy local click from local customers. This doesn't really change the atmosphere, but it does mean that for those of you looking to hook up, it would be a tough sale. That doesn't mean that it is impossible because people do get bored of the same old thing every week so some new blood may work for the more travelled customers.
In the early evening there are a lot of older customers singing karaoke, but about midnight a larger crowd of 18-30 years appear. They mainly go straight to the disco section or chat with friends around the pool table.
The karaoke
The karaoke is OK.
There are some great local singers doing old Finnish classics as well as younger singers doing modern Finnish pop and rock. When I was there, there were very few bad singers. However, it can become quite challenging to sing after about 2am when the noise of the customers is so loud that you can't hear the music.
I have been to better karaoke bars, but this is not the worse one.
Best way to drink in Ravintola Remu
One aspect of going out in Finland is the prices. If you have travelled a bit Finnish alcohol prices will be a culture shock. Spending between, 8-10€ for a beer and 20€ for a glass of wine is not unusual. Sadly, the north of Finland is no exception which is reflected in the prices Remu has for the alcoholic drinks. For example, I purchased two Kossu Vichy (Vodka sodas) for about 19€, which means an evening at Remu is going to be expensive. However, there is a simple solution, if there are two of you and you can stand cheap wine. A bottle of the house red is about 28€, which will give you about 5 glasses of wine which means your price per drink is down to just over 5€.
Final words about going out for the evening in Kuusamo
Even though this travelogue is about Kuusamo, it is about the lack of choice in Kuusamo. This whole review has been talking about one place that is a bar, a nightclub and a restaurant called Ravintola Remu.
Would I recommend Ravintola Remu?
Well, I would if you were to arrive in the town of Kuusamo with nothing much to do on a Friday or Saturday evening. Regardless if you are young, old or anywhere in between you will have an average level of fun. The locals are friendly and the staff do a great job of getting your drinks. We arrived at about 9pm which I feel was a bit early, because there were only a few customers. I would suggest considering there is a door fee of 5€ on Friday and Saturday to arrive about 10-11pm. Remu's closes at 4am so there is lots of evening to be had.
On the negative side, the karaoke DJ seems to take quite a few breaks which seems to break the rhythm of the evening. In addition, when the disco section of Remu opens the karaoke singers seem to be in competition with the disco music.
Finally, Ravintola Remu is a OK place considering it is in the middle of nowhere.