Located in Helsinki, Fredrinkinkatu 34, the notorious Bar Loose has become THE hangout, hideout and a shelter for the domestic and visiting rock'n'roll crowd. Right from the start "Löysä", "Lössy", "the Office" has been just what the founders Timo Koutala and Tipi Rasio wanted it to be: a non-formal, liberal living room for good people, where one can hear the Stooges and the likes, either from record, jukebox or live.

Tens, maybe hundreds of bands have been formed in Bar Loose, some have also called it quits under the golden cupids, which guard the room from the wall board. The (mostly signed) photos of rock icons covering the red walls have witnessed countless couples falling in love and breaking up, heard loud and happy laughter, desperate cries, seen comforting recoveries and the most uncomfortable falls.

Practically all gigs worth mentioning start from Bar Loose in a form of a first pint, and end there as well, as the very necessary conversation and speculation over the one last drink. Many bands start their tours from the counter of Bar Loose and return, with their suitcases, to the very same safe spot. Any day, any time of the year is a perfect day for celebration in Bar Loose. Very surprising bunches of people take over the tables in most unlikely occasions. Bar Loose is always open - for years it has also been an alternative for those avoiding midsummer and christmas parties.

Controversially, many people think the best thing in Bar Loose is a fact that one can be in peace. It's even possible to hide. That's one of the reasons why many celebrities like to hang out at Bar Loose - Michael Monroe or Ville Valo can actually stop by for a coffee and no- one will most likely flip out.

The customers and the interior almost make the bar, but definitely the most important reason to the popularity of Bar Loose is the staff, dedicated to the max. Faces may have changed a bit during the years, but the basic vibe has stayed the same - Bar Loose employers are the same with the ones sitting on the other side of the counter, when it comes to looks or taste of music. It's not very rare that after the shift is over, they take a chair within the crowd and stay till the last call.

One is never in a hurry leaving Bar Loose, and even if there would be some other obligation waiting, it's always difficult to go. An interesting character walks in just when one's supposed to take off, or a long lost acquintance is sitting there in the table all of the sudden. Volume rises, steps get lighter. The evening flows. And just when one really has to run to the last bus or tram, the best song of your favourite band starts booming from the speakers. So, think again, what's the hurry?