Do
Dances with mostly skilled dancers. While the hall is a multi-purpose one, it is quite nice, and you'll mostly be looking at dancers or the orchestra anyway. One dance is presented in a course preceding the dancing proper, starting from beginner level but with something also for those who know it. The dance proper starts with pairs formed at random, dancing only one dance each; the rest of the night there is the normal asking scheme, with mixed asking in the last set. You can keep to your own pair if you wish, but few do. Café. The courses (1½ hr) range from beginners' (perusteet) to advanced level (jatko), usually in a series of two, where you should start from the first unless you pick up reasonably quickly. For the intermediate level ("keskitaso") you should know the basic steps or pick up very quickly. Pairs are formed in a rotating system, so you can turn up alone or in a single-gender group (you can form your own pairs, but that is usually not optimal). Instruction is usually in Finnish, so you have to use your eyes and occasionally ask your pair. The courses W 19:45 and Su 17:00 are for people with little or no dancing experience and have the youth price for all (some advanced dancers participate, facilitating learning). For the courses, take your own bottle of water.
Until 27 Apr 2025: F 18:30/20:00–23:30; courses M W Th 18:00–21:15 Tu 19:30–21:00 Su 17:00–20:15·€18, youth under 25 years €7, children under 15 free with accompanying adult; course, cloakroom and water included; separate courses €14/€7
Do
Parkin kenttä
Big skating field, usually most of it for ice hockey. Sometimes music and most of the area for general skating. Skates and hockey sticks for rent. The entrance fee can be paid at the entrance when manned, otherwise by pre-bought tickets ("Exercise Wristband", can be used for several persons) or mobile phone (0600- number posted at the gate, enter immediately after calling).
2023: from 4 December; Mon–Fri 08:00–21:00, Sat 10:00–20:00, Sun 09:00–20:00 (maintenance daily 15:45–16:45); tickets and equipment rental Mon–Fri 17:00–19:00, Sat Sun 10:00–16:00·€3.50; from 2024: prime time at counter €8/4, other times by mobile €3.50/3.50; wristband: €8+€16/10 entries, from 2024: €8+€60/30
Turku, like other larger Finnish cities in general, is quite gay-friendly, though public gestures of affection are not common even for straight couples and might raise some eyebrows. You'll fit in at practically all of the clubs in Turku, but perhaps feel specially at home in suXes, the only gay bar and café in Turku. There you can be openly yourself while enjoying the atmosphere, coffee and drinks.
Daily 19:00–02:00
8raita sells all kinds of records ranging from second-hand CDs and LPs to music DVDs and other products. It also has a good online-store and staff that can give you great recommendations.
Mon–Fri 10:00–19:00, Sat 10:00–17:00