Trillby & Chadwick — Restaurant in Helsinki sub-region

Stepping into Trillby & Chadwick feels like slipping through a time portal into the 1920s. The entrance alone sets the mood—mysterious, secretive, and full of anticipation—like you’re about to join the ranks of shadowy detectives and smugglers. Once inside, the atmosphere is pitch-perfect: dim lights, vintage décor, and an attention to detail that makes every corner feel like part of a carefully kept story.

The cocktails are nothing short of outstanding. Each drink is crafted with precision, presented beautifully, and infused with creativity that matches the speakeasy’s character. The music ties it all together, smooth and stylish, enhancing the sense that you’re part of a hidden world far removed from the streets outside.

Special mention must go to Alexis behind the bar. Not only does he know his liquors with impressive depth, but he also carries the spirit of Trillby & Chadwick’s legendary detective history with charm and wit. Listening to him weave stories of the bar’s past while mixing a flawless cocktail is part of what makes the experience unforgettable.

Altogether, Trillby & Chadwick is more than just a bar—it’s an immersive escape, where every sip and sound is wrapped in atmosphere. A must-visit in Helsinki for anyone who appreciates great cocktails, great storytelling, and a touch of mystery.

Here’s the (delightfully pulpy) “history” of Trillby & Chadwick—note it’s a fictional backstory but still a very good one

Origins (1898): The agency is said to have been founded in London by Hildebrand Trillby and Ashcroft Chadwick, quickly earning fame for cracking high-profile cases the Metropolitan Police’s Special Branch couldn’t (or wouldn’t) solve.

Helsinki office & Prohibition (1924–1932): A Helsinki branch supposedly opened in 1924 to help enforce Finland’s prohibition laws. In a twist, that very office “went rogue” and became one of the city’s most profitable secret bars—hidden in plain sight and never raided.

War-time end (1941): After Prohibition was repealed in 1932, the office faded from view and was destroyed by arson in 1941; the culprits were never found.

Rediscovered files (late 20th c.): Decades later, building works allegedly uncovered a fire safe with agency journals and the founders’ diaries—material that “revived” the legend.

Modern revival as a bar : The story now frames Trillby & Chadwick Detective Agency, a hidden cocktail bar in central Helsinki (run by Son of a Punch). The bar leans into the case-file lore across its...

In an effort to find a speakeasy, I found this through Google maps. As with most speakeasy style bars, the entrance is secluded and a bit hidden, but not entirely difficult to find.

The first thing after entering, I like to observe the atmosphere, which had music that was a little louder than I am accustomed to, but alright. It was about a medium-sized venue, slightly intimate that you could hold a conversation in without raising our voice.

We had the Love is a Verb, Lucky to be Alive, and my standard order of an Old-fashioned. The first two drinks are specialties of the bar. The Lucky was a good drink, fruity notes, and a slight sourness to it. The Love is an order that contains two servings. It was a citrus style drink, very sour to taste. Both drinks were good, but the flavors were not anything that made us go wow.

I always order an Old-fashioned at bars I visit. The Old-fashioned here is better than some of the bars I have visited in the Nordic countries, but still not what I am looking for when compared to those in Asia and the America's. It was slightly on the sweeter side.

Overall, it is not a bad place, but didn't meet my expectations of a speakeasy when compared to the others I have visited...

The no photos inside rule means I have to fall back on my eloquence to describe just how awesome this place is! Very easy to miss, this speakeasy just down a lane from Senate Square was quite a find! Enter through the double black doors and you find yourself in a little antechamber. Knock (I would recommend at a decent volume) and after some time a small panel will slide back - if they decide to give you entry (they usually do, depending on available space) - the door shall open and let you into this throwback to the golden age. If you are a gin drinker - their extensive selection will leave you in good spirits (both metaphorically and literally). They have their own take on cocktails, however I went with a standard whisky sour - and it was probably the best one I've ever had!

This was most definitely my highlight of Helsinki!

One additional note: you can not enter the way you came - the exit is through...