Konttori Built a Glass-Walled Beer Cave and Opened Its Entire Beer Collection to View

"We've always had an extensive beer selection, but most of it used to be hidden behind brick walls. Many customers have already been surprised to discover just how many beers we actually have," says Antti Hannula, Manager and Co-owner of Konttori.

Inside the Beer Cave, hundreds of beers representing a wide range of breweries and styles create an impressive and carefully organized display, allowing even the rarest specialties to stand out.

"It's one thing to browse a beer list and another to see the entire collection right in front of you. This makes it much easier to understand what Konttori is all about," Hannula explains.

The renovation has also improved beer quality and logistics. Multiple smaller cold rooms have been replaced by one large temperature-controlled space, allowing every beer in the venue to remain continuously refrigerated.

"When deliveries arrive, everything can now be moved directly into one location and immediately kept cold. Our entire beer arsenal stays at optimal serving temperature around the clock — and that's exactly how beer likes it," Hannula says with a smile.

Beer Caves Are Rare Even Internationally

The name Luola ("The Cave") comes from the international term beer cave, commonly used for large walk-in refrigerated beer displays with glass walls.

As an avid observer of global beer culture, Hannula notes that similar concepts remain surprisingly uncommon, even abroad.

"I came across a comparable glass-walled beer cave at Biererei Bar & Vintage Cellar in Berlin. As a customer, it's an incredible experience to stand in front of such an abundance of beer. We wanted to bring that same sense of discovery and excitement to Tampere," he says.

According to Hannula, he has yet to encounter a similar installation anywhere in Finland.

"Many beer bars have impressive refrigerators and display cabinets, but I don't know of another venue with a walk-in beer cave of this scale that customers can actually enter themselves.

We’re always happy to show visitors around the Cave when circumstances allow. We want to give beer enthusiasts—especially those looking to purchase bottles and cans to take home—the opportunity to explore our selection in greater detail," explains Hannula.

Renovation projects in a building more than a century old are rarely simple. The property's maze-like layout made construction challenging and time-consuming, but careful planning ultimately paid off.

An area that previously served mainly as a passageway has now become both a visual centerpiece and a destination within the venue itself.

"The end result is functional, practical, and visually striking. I believe the Beer Cave will soon become one of the most photographed and talked-about spots in the entire bar," Hannula concludes.