Helgi's occupies a former shipping office on Harbour Street in Kirkwall, overlooking the harbour where the town's fishing boats land their catch. Owner Kelly McGuigan opened the bar in 2009, fitting it out with local stone flooring and wood panelling and adding an upstairs room with harbour views for those wanting a table for a meal. The bar is a genuine freehouse, pouring cask ales such as Swannay's Scapa Special alongside a changing guest list and a broad range of malt whiskies. It serves home-baked lunches and evening meals daily, with a Thursday quiz night and occasional live music. Helgi's was named Northern Isles Pub of the Year in both 2022 and 2023. It operates an over-18s policy and remains independently run, with no ties to a brewery or pub group.
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