CELLARS OF OLD TOWN
1990. The 1990s were difficult for Estonia. The country was freed from the Soviet Union, the economy had to be rebuilt, there was a lot of poverty, unemployment and crime. However, this decade also brought the expansion of geographical boundaries and the opportunity to experiment with musical ones.
Alongside the triumph of disco music, many small subcultures emerged here too, looking for their place in the newly liberated music scene. And the cellars of Old Town became the spaces that gave room to this new music.
MAP OF THE CELLARS OF OLD TOWN
- Bel Air, Vana-Viru 14
- Enke’s basement, Müürivahe 33
- The basement of the House of the Blackheads, Pühavaimu 9
- Levist Väljas bar, Olevimägi 12
- Juuksur bar, Vaimu 1
- Restko bar, Lai 29
- Bar 13, Lai 13
- Kodulinna maja, Gümnaasiumi 3
- Depeche Mode bar, Nunne 4 / Voorimehe 4
- Eeslitall, Dunkri 4
- Clazz, Vana turg 2
- Winkel, Suur-Karja 8
- Grafodroom, Müürivahe 3
- Lekker / Philly Joe’s, Vabaduse väljak 10
- Kuku club, Vabaduse väljak 8
Texts by:
Aivar Tõnso ja Brigitta Davidjants
Preface:
Brigitta Davidjants
Photos of buildings:
Martin Siplane, 2023
Audio production:
Audioguide OÜ
Project management:
Tallinn Culture and Sports Department
Tallinn Culture & Sports Department
Vabaduse väljak 10, 10146 Tallinn, Estonia
e-mail: kultuursport@tallinnlv.ee
Music samples used
Bel Air – Lu:k „La:v“
Enke kelder – Myrakaru „Casteheinad“
Mustpeade maja keldrisaal – Tehnoloogiline Päike „Päikesevarss“, Kirtana Rasa – „Põhjataeva tuled“
Levist Väljas – BF „Paadi valss“
Juuksur – Wrupk Urei „Algiers-New York-Luunja“
Restko baar – Hüpnosaurus „Always In’n’Out“
Baar 13 – End Variations „16 & Playing Games“
Kodulinna maja – Röövel Ööbik „The Best of Fantasy & Science Fiction“
Depeche Mode baar – Dallas „Strangelove“
Eeslitall – Fame and Shame „Foolkiller“
Clazz – Anna Pärnoja, Peedu Kass, Erki Pärnoja ja Joel Remmel „Sinu hääl“
Winkel – Kaisa Ling Thing „Läänemure lained“
Grafodroom – Juhan Vihterpal „Live at Grafodroom“
Lekker / Philly Joe’s – Dima Disk „Loosie“
Kuku klubi – Pastacas „Jaanusele“