The Sisuklub has again been partying late into the night, but according to Pepe Jürgens, the company now also offers a lot of tourism support measures.
A multi-tasker in the entertainment, sports and events industry Pepe Jürgens Sisuklubi, run by its partners, is back in action at the World Ice Hockey Championships in Zurich, Switzerland.
The meeting place for Finnish race fans, which was set up in Ostrava for the first time already in 2015, is this time located on Langstrasse, known for its lively nightlife, quite close to Zurich’s main train station.
Few liked that there would not have been a Sisuklubi this year.
– This was perhaps the fortieth second bar we contacted, Jürgens’ colleague Kimmo Pantti says.
The World Championships were supposed to be held in Switzerland already in 2020, but due to the corona virus, the competitions were cancelled.
Six years ago, Sisuklubi had everything agreed, but since then the owner of the space in question has changed.
In the last few meters, a suitable place was found, as if found in a bar connected to the hotel.
– We met the hotel manager and told them that there is a bit of noise coming from the Finnish fan base. The hotel manager just stated that we love noise, says Jürgens.
Despite the difficulties, Sisuklubi wanted to be organized.
– This group is so dear and important to us. Throughout the winter and already last year at the Stockholm Games, there was a message that you will be in Zurich this year as well, Pantti says.
The Sisuklubi’s program includes at least live performers and karaoke. Jenni Gästgivar
Business model
CEO Jürgens says that Sisuklubi runs on income from partners and the sale of entrance wristbands.
A Finnish company cooperates with a local bar or other space. Sisuklubi brings customers who eat and drink as well as performers. The local bar keeps the sales proceeds, but Sisuklubi doesn’t pay rent for the space either.
Sisuklubi is a meeting place for Finnish race tourists. Jenni Gästgivar
Only Finns can enter the Sisuklub. It is worth noting this year that Sisuklub has clearly smaller facilities and less staff than in previous years.
– Switzerland is an expensive country. In this hotel, a night with breakfast costs 380 euros. Yes, it cuts. And we can’t even have a place bigger than this, says Jürgens.
– And of course, when it’s an expensive place, people also have less money to spend.
Jürgens still has to worry about whether Sisuklubi will be able to break even this year in terms of income and expenses. According to him, even the Winter Olympics in February have reduced the desire to travel for the WC spring.
– Timidly and shyly, I say that we hope. A lot depends on the coming weekend. We are on budget, but according to the information, there would be less crowd next weekend, even though there are better games.
In the first week of the World Cup, the weather was not favorable either.
Only Finns who have bought a wristband can enter the Sisuklub. Jenni Gästgivar
“Let’s say this”
Iltalehti visited Zurich’s Sisuklub on Monday evening after the Finland-USA match.
There was a good amount of people considering the size of the space, but according to Jürgens, there have been more lively evenings. On the terrace, the rain sprinkled on the empty benches.
In the evenings, the idea of Sisuklubi is clear. Let’s eat, drink, celebrate and talk.
So what is Sisuklub’s stereotypical customer like?
– Let’s say that Sisuklub’s customer is not a teenager, Jürgens formulates.
– Of course, there are also people here under 30 years old, but when we looked at the crowd in the first days, they are around 40 years old, even plus 45 years old.
According to Jürgens, Sisuklubi is also more than a party place. It aims to provide a safe framework for travel.
Pepe Jürgens and Kimmo Pantti hope that there will be enough customers during the second weekend of the World Cup. Jenni Gästgivar
If your language skills are not enough to do business in a restaurant, you can check the menu in Finnish at Sisuklub.
– In recent years, we have always been in contact with the local embassy. We know subways, buses, trams and pharmacies. We know how to get to golf, wineries and breweries – culture, Jürgens explains.
Jürgens has noticed that slightly older customers often have more money to spend on leisure trips than younger ones.
According to Jürgens, Sisuklub also comfortably sees couples and double couples who have gone on a trip.
Many of Sisuklub’s customers have been to the men’s ice hockey World Cup several times.
The man who introduces himself as skipper Mäkela says that he has already been to the World Cup 19 times. The pins on the shirt testify in favor of the calculation. Jenni Gästgivar
No fights
Of course, many people consume alcohol to the point of drunkenness.
– But this age group is a bit more accustomed to drinking alcohol than twenty-year-olds. Don’t get mad when I say this, but maybe those first mistakes have already been made.
In many foreign destinations, it can be dangerous if the hop space slips over.
Ilkka Rönkkö, Iina Pyykkö and Hanski Kakko became passionate about playing the air guitar. Jenni Gästgivar
– The a and o of this place is that you can even turn a blind eye, and we tell the restaurateur that there is nothing to worry about, that we will take care of it, says Jürgens.
– If you feel weak, you can go to that yard for a bit and a friend will take care of you. No one is left alone.
Jürgens says that Sisuklub’s customers have not had a single fight. The CEO is looking for a tree to knock on.
– One reason is that there are no foreigners here. Then the Finn might start threatening.
According to Kimmo Pant, “grey” Finns may be met in the morning looking for their wallets, phones and wallets.
– Then we ask what they are like. Well here they are. Then we will continue where we left off, says Pantti.
At Sisuklubi, you can also get a tentacle and Jaloviina. Jenni Gästgivar
