Koht
Koht (Estonian for 'place' or 'spot') functions as Telliskivi's cultural bar, blending art exhibition space with a drinking establishment at Telliskivi 60a. The venue is a single room of about 60 seats with white walls that serve as rotating gallery space, a stage area for live performances, and a bar that runs functional rather than decorative. The programming calendar sets Koht apart from surrounding bars: live music ranging from jazz to experimental electronic, DJ nights, poetry readings, film screenings, and art openings rotate through the weekly schedule. The crowd that assembles depends on the programming. A jazz night draws a different room than an electronic DJ set. The bar itself serves standard drinks competently without trying to compete with the cocktail specialists nearby.
What to Expect
The space looks different depending on when you visit. On a quiet Wednesday, it's a calm bar with art on the walls. On a Friday with a live band, the same room fills with bodies and sound. The white walls catch the stage lighting during performances and display whatever exhibition is current during quieter moments. The bar serves its purpose without being the point; Koht's identity is the programming rather than the drinks.
Cultural, shifting, and dependent on programming. The room transforms based on who's performing and who shows up.
Varies by event: jazz, experimental electronic, indie rock, ambient, spoken word. The booking reflects eclectic taste and genuine cultural programming rather than commercial calculation.
Casual. The art-bar context means anything goes, and the crowd tends toward creative-casual.
Live music fans, art enthusiasts, culturally curious travelers, anyone wanting to experience Tallinn's creative community in its natural habitat.
Cards and cash accepted.
Price Range
Beer EUR 4-6, wine EUR 5-8, cocktails EUR 7-10, event tickets EUR 5-10 when applicable
Beer ~$4-7, wine ~$5-9, cocktails ~$8-11
Hours
Wed-Sat 5 PM to midnight, extended hours for events, closed Sun-Tue
Insider Tip
Check the weekly schedule on their social media before visiting; the experience varies dramatically depending on programming. Live music nights are the best value. Art exhibition openings often include free drinks and draw the neighborhood's creative community.
Full Review
Koht's strength is its refusal to be just one thing. In a neighborhood full of bars that know exactly what they are, Koht shapeshifts. Monday through Tuesday it's closed. Wednesday it might host a poetry reading for 20 people. Friday could bring a packed house for a local jazz ensemble. Saturday might feature a DJ spinning ambient electronic to an attentive crowd.
The gallery function adds a visual dimension that other bars lack. The exhibitions rotate regularly, showcasing Estonian contemporary artists, photographers, and mixed-media creators. Even on nights without live programming, the current show gives you something to look at and discuss. Art openings are social events in their own right, drawing the Telliskivi creative community with free drinks and conversation.
The live music programming is Koht's highest-value offering. Estonian musicians across genres play the small stage to attentive audiences. The room's size means performers and audience are close together, creating an intimacy that larger venues can't match. Ticket prices of EUR 5-10 for live shows represent genuine value.
The drinks are secondary to the programming. Beer, wine, and basic cocktails are available at standard Telliskivi prices. Nobody's coming here for a craft cocktail education. The bar functions as support for the cultural experience rather than the main attraction.
The variable nature of Koht means checking the schedule before visiting is essential. Walking in on a night with programming that interests you creates a memorable experience. Walking in on a quiet night with no events might leave you wondering what the fuss is about. The social media channels are the reliable information source.
For travelers interested in Tallinn's cultural identity beyond the medieval tourism brand, Koht offers direct access. This is where the city's creative community socializes, performs, and exhibits. The bar just happens to be there to keep everyone hydrated.
The Neighborhood
Within the Telliskivi 60a complex, surrounded by F-Hoone, Pudel, Tops, and Sveta Telliskivi. The entire bar cluster is walkable within 2 minutes. The Telliskivi Saturday flea market sets up in the surrounding courtyards.
Getting There
Enter Telliskivi from Balti Jaam station and walk to the 60a building section, about 4 minutes on foot. The venue's entrance is within the courtyard. Bolt from the old town costs EUR 3-4.
Address
Telliskivi 60a, 10412 Tallinn
Other Venues in Kalamaja-Telliskivi
Pudel
Kalamaja's defining craft beer bar occupies a ground-floor corner in Telliskivi Creative City. Rotating taps feature Estonian and Baltic craft breweries alongside European guests. The terrace fills on summer evenings with a creative-crowd regulars.
F-Hoone
Large restaurant and bar in a converted Telliskivi factory building. High ceilings, industrial aesthetic, and a menu that spans full meals to late-night drinks. The space hosts occasional DJ sets and events that shift the atmosphere from restaurant to party.
Sveta Bar Telliskivi
Satellite location of the old town cocktail bar, bringing the same crafted drink menu to the Telliskivi setting. The atmosphere is more relaxed here than at the hotel-based original, with a younger, more local crowd.
Tops
Neighborhood cocktail bar with an inventive drinks menu and a loyal local following. The bartenders rotate seasonal specials and take their mixing seriously. Small space, big flavors, and zero pretension.
Lauatenniseklubi
Ping pong bar in Telliskivi with multiple tables alongside a full bar. The concept sounds gimmicky but works because the execution is straightforward: good drinks, competitive table tennis, and an atmosphere that naturally generates conversation between strangers.
Peatus
Live music venue and bar in the Telliskivi complex hosting local bands, open mic nights, and DJ sets across genres. The booking leans toward indie rock, electronic, and experimental acts. One of Tallinn's most consistent live music addresses.