Riga

Nightlife

To party like a Latvian, assemble your friends and pub crawl your way through the city, stopping at haunts for rounds of beer, belly laughter and, of course, Black Balzām. On summer evenings, nab a spot at one of the beer gardens in Old Rīga. After dark, lots of Rīga's bars and cafes transform into grittier venues with pumping beats. In recent years, Riga took the dubious honour of being one of the stag capitals of Europe. Lured by cheap drinks, an implausible amount of strip clubs and some distinctly seedy bars, the city was awash with fancy-dressed lads looking for one last weekend of drunken debauchery.

Some fairly severe price hikes have helped to combat this reputation, although they’ve also spoilt everyone else’s fun; expect your eyes to water at some of the bar bills. It’s not all bad news though. If you know where to go, Riga can show you a good time at a reasonable price. The city is packed with bars – everything from lounge-style hangouts with DJs, comfy couches and funky visuals, right through to spit and sawdust live music venues. One thing to note is that some bars are unofficially the sole preserve of Riga’s large Russian community, and your presence will, at best, be tolerated.

Bars in Riga

B-Bārs

With the moto ‘A good bar sells sensations not drinks’, the B-Bar is the place to go for an extensive range of spirits and the self-proclaimed ‘best cocktails is Riga’. The prices are a little on the high side, but it’s worth it to be surrounded by the early 20th century decor and live music. Food is also served up alongside drinks.

Black Magic

Tasting like a cross between cough syrup and Jägermeister, black balsam is a cure-all elixir exclusive to Riga. Created to treat a poorly princess in the 18th century, it is still used to vanquish common ailments, and Black Magic is a bar dedicated to this wonder potion. Patrons can qua balsam-inspired tipples and cakes in the dimly lit watering hole, which is decorated like an 18th-century pharmacy.

Roks Cepure

A rock bar, restaurant and record shop rolled into one, this eccentric watering hole is run by a no-nonsense biker, who’s festooned the place with music posters, motorbikes and well-worn furniture. An eclectic clientele of students, travellers and rockers congregate here for the music, sensibly priced drinks and a selection of 30 hearty soups, which are filling and phenomenal value for money. It’s slightly out of town, but well worth the diversion.

Clubs in Riga

Depo

A crossroads for Riga’s alternative scene, this gregarious grunge haunt feels like a disused warehouse turned squat. Vinyl-spinning DJs, dirt cheap beers and a vivacious atmosphere lure in an eclectic clientele of metallers, techno acionados and everyone in between. The party doesn’t get started until midnight, but once the shindig is in full swing it feels like it may never stop. Come back the following day for some reasonably priced hangover food.

La Rocca

This banging nightclub claims to be the best in the Baltics. After an evening on La Rocca’s dance floor, punters might be tempted to reach the same conclusion. This sprawling, hedonistic club can cram in over 1,500 revellers, who flock to this Riga institution for raucous theme nights and some spectacular stage shows. Leave your inhibitions at the door and join the party.

Live music in Riga

Nobody Writes to the Colonel (Pūce)

We’re not sure who the colonel is or why nobody is writing to the poor chap, but we do know this industrial style bar is a great spot to catch some live music. Regarded as Riga’s original and best live music venue, Nobody Writes to the Colonel regularly hosts bands and club nights, attracting the trendy end of the alternative crowd.

Riga Rock Cafe

There is nothing remotely café-like about this underground rock joint. However, its raw, industrial décor and dim lighting are all part of the charm. Local rock and metal bands ply their trade on the small stage, while a headbanging crowd consume irresistibly cheap drinks at heroic speed. A great spot to imbibe Riga’s alternative scene.

Classical music in Riga

Great Guild Hall (Lielā Gilde)

This is the home of the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra, which shares the Guild Hall stage throughout the year with a broad range of national and international acts ranging from jazz bands to classical pianists.

Riga Cathedral (Rigas Doms)

The acoustics at Riga Cathedral, along with its famous organ, make this venue an obvious choice for big recitals. For centuries, it has been one of Latvia’s major live music venues, a tradition that continues to this day. All sorts of concerts are held here throughout the year.

Dance in Riga

Riga Ballet

The quality of the Riga Ballet is a legacy of the Soviet Union, when Riga’s ballet school was third in importance, after the Kirov and Bolshoi. The company has produced many major stars, including Mihail Baryshnikov, now a famous modern ballet star living in the USA, as well as Maris Liepa, who went on to star for the Bolshoi Ballet, and his son, Andris Liepa, who found his own slice of fame with the American Ballet Theatre in 1989/90. The company performs at various venues around the city.

Theatres in Riga

Dailes Theatre

Theatre in Riga dates back as far as the 13th century. During the 1970s, Riga was regarded as a centre of avantgarde exploration and some of this spirit still remains today. The Dailes Theatre, constructed in the modernist style, is one of the main theatres. Others include the National Theatre (Nacionālais Teātris), New Riga Theatre (Jaunais Rigas Teātris) and the Russian Drama Theatre (Krievu Dramas Teātris).

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