Rantakatu, Joensuu

Today I went for a few beers in downtown Joensuu and found out that two of my favourite pubs/bars in Joensuu have either been closed down or will be closed down before the summer. These are some of the last places in this town with at least some originality and character and also some of the few places where you feel comfortable having a pint or two without being/getting blasted. Combined with the recent news of restaurant Jokela closing down, things are looking rather bleak for the pub scene around here. Naturally these places will most likely be replaced with more generic "copycat" bars, as seems to be the norm here.

Today's blip is a picture of the closest parallel street to the Pielisjoki river in downtown Joensuu. Rantakatu is located two blocks east from yesterday's pedestrian shopping street. The bar that will be closed, but is still open, is located in the building on the right hand side of the picture.