You could walk past Kafe Mockba (Cafe Moscow) a hundred times and never know it’s there. Hidden behind thick draped curtains this bar is said to have been opened as a place for the owners of adjoining Corona Bar to escape.
Owned by Finnish brothers and film directors, Aki and Mika Kaurismäki, the bar is full of old film props and promises a ‘genuine Soviet experience’.
When we walked in the bartender reluctantly got up from her seat, ignored our greeting and served us a shotglass each of warm vodka.
I had heard they sell sandwiches but there’s no way I was going to ask. We were lucky to be given a glass of water. The bartender turned on some Soviet music, cranked it up and left.
Soon Hanna and I had the place to ourselves and it was about quarter of an hour before another couple arrived and took a seat near the window.
As we left I could hear them wondering about the lack of service. Kafe Mockba is famous for it and you’d be crazy to expect otherwise. It’s all part of the charm.
Eerikinkatu 1
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