In this guide
💡 The Short Version: Põhjala is the Estonian craft brewery to know. Its Tap Room in Noblessner pours 24 beers alongside Texas-style barbecue, and its Põhja Konn bar in Telliskivi has 20 Estonian beers on tap. In the Old Town, Hell Hunt on Pikk street serves five house beers from €4.50, and Humalakoda, on the second floor of Balti Jaama Turg, brews its own. For spirits, try Vana Tallinn, the dark herbal rum liqueur made by Liviko. Or book a tour: an Estonian craft beer tastingad (from €50, 1.5 hours) or a Vana Tallinn drinks tastingad (from €35, 1 hour) covers the basics.
⚠️ No shop alcohol after 22:00: shops and supermarkets cannot sell alcohol between 22:00 and 10:00. If you want a bottle of beer or Vana Tallinn for your hotel, buy it before 22:00. Bars and taprooms serve on the premises until closing.
Tours and tastings
Estonian craft beer tasting
From €50 · 3.6 stars from 19 reviews · 1.5 hours · tasting
The Tallinn: Estonian Craft Beer Tastingad is a short guided tasting of Estonian beers.
Taste of Tallinn: craft beer and local bites
From €149 · 3 hours · beer tasting with food
The Taste of Tallinn: Craft Beer & Local Bites Tourad pairs craft beer with local food on a three-hour guided route.
Estonian drinks tasting with Vana Tallinn
From €35 · 4.3 stars from 25 reviews · 1 hour · tasting
The Tallinn: Estonian Drinks Tasting with Vana Tallinnad is a one-hour tasting of Estonian drinks, including the liqueur.
Estonian craft beer
Põhjala Brewing dates from 2011, and its range also includes a Forest Series, gluten-free beers and non-alcoholic beers and makes IPAs, barrel-aged imperial stouts and a Cellar Series of long-aged beers. Its beers are on tap in the Tap Room and in Põhja Konn, alongside beers from other small Estonian brewers.
Venues at a glance
| Venue | Where | What it is | Opening hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Põhjala Tap Room | Noblessner, Peetri 5 | 24 taps, Texas-style barbecue, brewery tours, private sauna | Tue to Thu 12:00 to 00:00, Fri and Sat 12:00 to 01:00, Sun 10:00 to 17:00; closed Mon |
| Põhja Konn | Telliskivi Creative City | 20 Estonian beers on tap, indoor and outdoor seating | Sun to Thu 14:00 to 00:00, Fri and Sat 14:00 to 02:00 |
| Hell Hunt | Old Town, Pikk 39 | Pub with five house beers | Mon to Wed and Sun 12:00 to 00:00, Thu 12:00 to 01:30, Fri and Sat 12:00 to 02:00 |
| Humalakoda | Balti Jaama Turg, second floor | Brewpub that makes its beer on site | Mon and Tue 12:00 to 22:00, Wed to Sat 12:00 to 00:00, Sun 12:00 to 19:00 |
Põhjala Tap Room (Noblessner)
The Põhjala Tap Room at Peetri 5 is in a converted submarine factory at Noblessner harbour. It sits in the same building as the brewery, and diners can see the brewers through large windows on one side of the dining room.
Põhjala Tap Room. Photo: Marke Saaremets, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- On tap: 24 beers, from Põhjala IPAs to barrel-aged imperial stouts, plus guest beers.
- Food: Texas barbecue and slow-smoked meats; the breads, sauces, pickles and kimchi are made in-house.
- Brewery tours: €20 for 45 minutes with 3 to 4 beers; book at least 24 hours ahead. English tours run on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at 18:00 and on Saturdays and Sundays at 14:00.
- Shop: the Tap Room has a beer and merchandise shop open Tuesday to Saturday 12:00 to 22:00 and Sunday 10:00 to 17:00.
- Sauna: a private sauna for up to 8 people, €80 for the first hour and €60 for each hour after that (two-hour minimum).
Põhjala Tap Room at night. Photo: Renee Altrov, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Põhja Konn (Telliskivi)
Põhja Konn is Põhjala’s bar in Telliskivi Creative City, named after a double IPA the brewery made in 2015; the name means “Northern Dragon”. It has 20 taps with Põhjala beers and other small Estonian producers, and holds DJ nights and live music.
Hell Hunt (Old Town)
Hell Hunt (“the Gentle Wolf”) is a pub at Pikk 39.
- The house beers: Hele (lager, 5%), Tume (dark, 4.5%), Nisuõlu (wheat beer, 5.5%), Ale (5.2%) and IPA (5.5%). The first four start at €4.50; the IPA starts at €7.
- Food: fresh garlic bread with cucumber sauce is €5.50, cheese balls are €8.90 for eight, fried dumplings €8.30 and crispy calamari with garlic mayo €13.
- Other beers: the taps also carry Pilsner Urquell, Guinness and Belgian beers from €6.
- Booking: tables are held for two hours at lunch and three at dinner; book at hellhunt.ee.
Hell Hunt pub. Photo: Jorge Franganillo, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0.
Humalakoda (Balti Jaama Turg)
Humalakoda on the second floor of the Balti Jaama Turg market hall at Kopli 1 is a brewpub: restaurant, pub and brewery in one room, with a beer made on site. It is open Monday and Tuesday 12:00 to 22:00, Wednesday to Saturday 12:00 to midnight and Sunday 12:00 to 19:00.
Estonian spirits: Vana Tallinn and gin
Vana Tallinn
Vana Tallinn has been made by Liviko since 1960. The recipe uses Jamaican rum, citrus, vanilla and spices.
- Strengths: 40%, 45% and 50% alcohol.
- How to drink it: neat over ice, or stirred into hot black coffee. Liviko also makes cream versions.
Crafter’s gin
Liviko also makes Crafter’s gin, in an Aromatic Flower and a London Dry version.
Practical tips
- Getting home: the Bolt taxi app was founded in Tallinn and is the easy way back to the hotel from Noblessner or Telliskivi late at night.
Connecting planning resources
- Dining recommendations: Where to eat in Tallinn.
- Neighbourhood nightlife hubs: Telliskivi Creative City guide and Noblessner seafront guide.
- Night safety and transport: Is Tallinn safe and Public transport in Tallinn.
- Hotels near Old Town bars: Where to stay in Tallinn.
Common questions
Where are the best places to drink craft beer in Tallinn?
The Põhjala Tap Room in Noblessner (24 taps and Texas-style barbecue), Põhja Konn in Telliskivi (20 Estonian beers on tap), the Humalakoda brewpub on the second floor of Balti Jaama Turg, and Hell Hunt on Pikk street in the Old Town (five house beers).
Can you buy takeaway beer or wine late at night in Tallinn?
No. Shops cannot sell alcohol between 22:00 and 10:00. Bars, taprooms and restaurants serve for drinking on the premises during their opening hours.
What is Vana Tallinn and how is it drunk?
Vana Tallinn ("Old Tallinn") is a dark rum-based liqueur made by Liviko since 1960, flavoured with citrus, vanilla and spices. It is sold at 40%, 45% and 50% alcohol. It is sipped neat or stirred into hot coffee.
Can you tour the Põhjala brewery?
Yes. The tour lasts 45 minutes, includes 3 to 4 beers and costs €20. Book at least 24 hours ahead; there are 20 places on each tour. English tours run on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at 18:00 and on Saturdays and Sundays at 14:00.
Can you rent a private sauna at the Põhjala Tap Room?
Yes. The sauna holds up to 8 people during Tap Room opening hours. It costs €80 for the first hour and €60 for each hour after that, with a two-hour minimum.
