The exchange student guide to Vaasa's night life
Party animals. Bernardo Losada (on the left) and Nebojsa Dimic employed their vast experience in coming up with a night life guide for new exchange students. Photo: Kaj Paulamäki
Congratulations! If you are reading this guide, you are very likely to be one of the few lucky ones that have been chosen to study at the University of Vaasa.
After one month everything is seemingly set and it does look like you are indeed ready to kick off your new studies! Nonetheless you can still hear a bugging inner voice telling you that something is missing – yes, you really need to add the fireworks to this semester.
Vaasan ylioppilaslehti assembled a top-notch team of experienced party animals and gave them a third degree in order to provide you with the best tips and innermost secrets of Vaasa’s glittering nightlife.
Whether you are into dancing till the morning light, drinking your neurons away or committing yourself to increase the population of this modest town, you should really make the acquaintance of these two guys: Nebojsa Dimic and Bernardo Losada.
Nebojsa, or Nebo, is a Master’s Degree Student in Finance, and hails from Serbia. He started studying in Vaasa one year ago after a brief spell in the States, where he played basketball in a College team.
As you can clearly see, our interviewees are not just the first passers-by. Berni, on the other hand, is a Spanish student in the second year of his Master’s Degree in Industrial Management. If you do not meet him on the campus, keep an eye out for him in the various venues in town, where he often features as a guest DJ. Now that we extensively documented the prowess of our references, let's fire away.
So, guys. You have spent one year in Vaasa already. Anything you would like to share?
ND: Well, last year was just fantastic! We used to have a lot of pre-parties, along with the proper parties of course. We had a very compact group of friends, since all exchange and international students lived in Tekla and Linna.
BL: Yeah, now the Erasmus group of students has been split up and they are now living all around the city. I hope we can still create the same team atmosphere.
Yep, last year has become kind of infamous. Hell was raised. Let's give university newcomers a taste of what happened.
Both: Come on, it wasn't THAT bad!
ND: Well, we had lots and lots of pre-parties, as I said. We used to organize them in the hallways of Tekla or, better, in the laundry room of Linna.
BL: Hey, we cannot say we organized illegal parties in the laundry. People got letters of complaints from the uni because of that. I mean, you are not going to write it in your article, right?
Of course I am going to. Don't worry guys, you got my permission. After all, this is simply factual reporting...
ND: Ah ok, then. Go to the laundry of Linna, then. Best pre-party place in town!
Shall we mention after-party lest we forget?
BL: Oh yeah! They were part of our weekly schedule, since bars close rather early in Finland. We always ended up in Tekla or in somebody´s apartment to top it off until the dawn.
You mentioned bars calling it a night way too early. Is this the only drawback you experienced in Finland?
ND: All in all, Finland is a fantastic country when it comes to partying and stuff. But there is absolutely one thing that is a thorn in the side: the prices.
You must surely have found a way to tackle this problem. Have you got any advice to share?
BL: If you want to go the centre and hit the bats, the cheapest is definitively Hullu Pullo on Wednesday and Sunday. You have shots for two euros. And it doesn't get cheaper than that anywhere else.
ND: That's right. Fontana is good as well. You get free entrance before midnight with the international student card and a lot of discounts. Just don't go crazy with shots. They are still 8 euros or so.
Have you ever ended up in troubles while venturing out in town?
BOTH: Not really.
ND: Finns are generally very nice and friendly. We always felt we were good company. And even if somebody gets a little too drunk, there is always the security ready to step in.
Well rumors say that you were the trouble...
ND: Oh yes! We had some students that got in trouble with the security. But that was definitely their fault.
Yep, you never mess with the security in Finland. Let's recall what happened to them just for the sake of warning.
BL: Hmm, they were handed to the police and spent the night in jail. That's just very bad. I mean you do get a free ride home in the morning but you still have to pay the expenses. It's around 60 euros. It would be cheaper to go to Radisson, if you don't feel like cycling back home.
TUBSE 2.0: The Ultimate Booze Schedule for Erasmus 2.0
by Nebo and Berni
Monday
School
Hurry hurry! A new productive week just started.
Tuesday
Oliver's Inn
This bar just behind Hesburger in the centre, is renowned for its cool atmosphere and loads of Swedish-speakers dancing and singing their lungs out. Tuesday is the full-house day, complying with a long-lasting Finlandssvenska tradition.
Wednesday
Hullu Pullo
According to Nebo the best party of the week. According to Berni, the best party of the week except the weekends. It is sure the cheapest hole you can drag your thirsty throat in. The Karaoke section is definitively worth a try.
Thursday
El Gringo or Dom
Recovering from Hullu Pullo day. Possibly school, otherwise a pint or two in a relaxed atmosphere at El Gringo or Dom. Or both, since they are nestled in the same alley (at the side of Rewell Center).
Friday
Sky
According to the guys, it is by far the prettiest and stylish location in town, being situated at 8th floor of Rewell Center. Or was it 9th? Anyway, you get there with the elevator, so no panic. Sparkling wine is very cheap: only 10 euros for a bottle, perfect if you feel like taking out for a walk the pimp side of yourself and you don't want to rape your wallet. Everything else in Sky is pretty expensive.
Saturday
Fontana or O'Malley's
Full-house night, be prepared, though, for an endless queue. Better be there very early or, as an exchange student, you might not get in for free by midnight. The peak hour is around midnight. Avoid it like the plague. Nebo's alternative choice is O'Malley's: "If you are not in a real party mood, this is a perfect place for just for a couple of beers, playing pool and chatting with friends. Still, it is fairly expensive."
Hullu Pullo
Finish the week off with cheap drinks!
Tämän artikkelin kommentointi on päättynyt.