During my 3 years living in Riga in my early 20’s. Where weekend meant parties. I’ve had the pleasure of visiting a bar or club once or twice.
On top of that, I’ve hosted party weekends for my friends more than once as well.
From everything between 3 to +10 persons at a time. All different times of the year, on different occasions.
I’ve put a fair amount of hours and money (and health) into researching this particular field.
So feel free to take a shortcut and take advantage of my experience.
Before we start keep in mind:
- The places are presented in random order
- Compared to Western prices, all these places are in the lower-end price category. So the price is set relative to each other
- Also, none of these places have strict dress codes. As long as you leave your sweatpants at home, you’ll probably be fine.
📖 Table of Contents
Best Bars in Riga
SHOT CAFE: When You Don’t Mind Getting Shot
Do you feel like getting hammered with the ex-pats and getting the blood flowing?
Then this place is for you.
Go get lost in their huge menu card while enjoying the vibes.
As the names suggest. They are particularly known for their shots. Like a line of flags representing a specific country. And they’re pretty damn good at it.
Source: Facebook
Location: Torņa iela 4 on the outskirt of Old Riga (including opening hours)
Entrance fee: Free
Prices: $$
Cuba Cafe: A Chill Cuban Bar
P to tha y. Personality. That’s what you’ll find here.
And it’s quite authentic.
So if you’re searching for your inner rasta, or feel like connecting with the one you already have.
Or discuss history with topics such as Fidel Castro among others. This is the place to go.
Location: Jauniela 15 in the heart of Old Riga (including opening hours)
Entrance fee: Free
Prices: $$
Kiwi Bar: Riga’s Best Sports Bar
Let me introduce to you the place with the most friendly staff of all.
And if you’re into sports, this is the place to go.
Recalled after the less famous Australian bird, and not the more famous fruit.
They have several beers and ciders on tap. Ice cold.
I also recommend trying their shots South African Shooters and/or ABS shots.
As unpleasant as they might sound, one of them tastes amazing, and one makes you see fairies.
And at least but not least. Ask to try the drink with fire and cinnamon. They’ll know which one.
Entrance fee: Free
Prices: $$
Social: Facebook
The Armoury Bar: The Best Bar if You Have a Gun Fetish
Source: Facebook
Though I’ve never had the pleasure of visiting this place myself. Their social media presence caught my attention more than once.
So if you want to practice your aim before going to the actual shooting range.
Or want to experience drinking scotch with one hand, while holding a revolver with the other. Then here’s your chance.
Source: Facebook
Location: Vecpilsētas iela 11 in Old Riga (including opening hours)
Entrance fee: Free
Prices: $$
🍻🎉 Join the Best Pub Crawl in Riga With Other People
Pub crawls have been here for over 100 years. So I think we can agree they’re here to stay.
The good thing is that every weekend Riga’s most popular pub crawl takes place on Fridays and Saturdays (rated 4.9 out of 5) 🤩
Whether you’re traveling solo or with a group, this is an awesome way to meet new people while exploring Riga’s nightlife scene.
Here’s what’s included:
- 🍺 4 welcome drinks (beer or a shot depending on the venue)
- 💰 Exclusive drink deals to stretch your money further
- 🎤 Karaoke and live music
- 🍹 Visits to 3 different bars and 1 nightclub at the end
- 😊 Friendly guides
The pub crawl kicks off at 9 pm in the heart of Old Riga, where the guides will wait for you.
And if you haven’t already, I recommend checking out the reviews on Viator (including photos).
Here you can also book and pay later for maximum flexibility. And with free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance, there’s no risk in securing your spot today.
Skyline Bar: The Highest Bar in Latvia
Here you can enjoy some liquid beverages with an awesome view of the whole city.
Located on the 26th floor in the Radisson Blu hotel on Elizabetes iela 55. This makes it the highest bar in Latvia (the building is 312 feet/95 m tall).
But expect more like a lounge. A place you go for a brief amount of time to enjoy the view and a few decent beers, cocktails, or some food in the meantime. Before hitting one of the other bars or clubs.
Source: Facebook
It does have more of an airport vibe. Like you’re in transit. Or shooting stock photos. It’s not a place boiling with personality.
Also, it’s one of the more expensive places, on top of the small entrance fee.
But it’s still a good experience.
Location: Elizabetes iela 55 in the central district (including opening hours)
Entrance fee: €3-5 ($3.6-6). Depending on the day and time of your visit.
Prices: $$$
Best Clubs in Riga
Rock Café: An Original Place
Don’t get fooled by the name, it’s not only for the fans of Rock. Though it would give the experience a plus if you are.
The place is like a castle and has 3 floors. Located in a 17th-century house.
In the basement, you’ll find a wardrobe, a bar, and karaoke.
On the main floor, you can treat yourself to another bar and food/snacks. And an outside area.
But on the 2. floor is where most of the fun happens. Here you’ll find a concert hall. Sometimes with live music, but ordinary club music most of the time.
And also several bars. Pool tables. And enough number of rooms to justify a drunk person carrying a compass.
And they’ve decorated the whole place with furniture, shelves, books, etc.
Yes, books.
Location: Mārstaļu iela 2/4 in Old Riga (including opening hours)
Entrance fee: Free
Prices: $$
Social: Facebook
PūCe: A Club With a “Secret” Basement
Pūce means “Owl” in Latvian, and the place indeed is suitable for night owls.
Source: Facebook
It’s not super obvious, but they also have a smaller basement with a 2. dance floor.
Retreat down below if you dare. I’m not sure if it’s always like that, but once upon a time, I stumbled upon a drum n bass event. Sweat and the amount of beer were present at an equal level.
Location: Peldu iela 26/28 in the outskirt of Old Riga (opening hours included)
Entrance fee: Free
Prices: $$
Social: Facebook
ONE ONE: Rigas #1 Techno Club
With inspiration from the East End of London and Berlin, expect one of the best sound systems in Riga.
And enjoy music from various big names in techno (my favorite), minimal techno, and house music.
Source: Facebook
The place is super laid back, and it’s obvious the main focus of the venue is the music and the dance floor. Like any other good techno club.
So leave the champagne for later, let the smartphone rest for a bit, and go dance and catch those eargasms.
Source: Facebook
Location: Šarlotes iela 18A in the outskirt of the center (opening hours included)
Entrance fee: €5-7 ($6-8)
Prices: $$
🍻🎉 Join the Best Pub Crawl in Riga With Other People
Pub crawls have been here for over 100 years. So I think we can agree they’re here to stay.
The good thing is that every weekend Riga’s most popular pub crawl takes place on Fridays and Saturdays (rated 4.9 out of 5) 🤩
Whether you’re traveling solo or with a group, this is an awesome way to meet new people while exploring Riga’s nightlife scene.
Here’s what’s included:
- 🍺 4 welcome drinks (beer or a shot depending on the venue)
- 💰 Exclusive drink deals to stretch your money further
- 🎤 Karaoke and live music
- 🍹 Visits to 3 different bars and 1 nightclub at the end
- 😊 Friendly guides
The pub crawl kicks off at 9 pm in the heart of Old Riga, where the guides will wait for you.
And if you haven’t already, I recommend checking out the reviews on Viator (including photos).
Here you can also book and pay later for maximum flexibility. And with free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance, there’s no risk in securing your spot today.
FIRST МИР: A Large Club at the Harbor
If you’re arriving by boat, you can skip the taxi.
The place is also formerly known as First Baltic and First Dacha.
Located in an old industrial building from Sovjet times lays a foundation of great vibes.
The place hosts a large variety of artists, representing the Russian music scene. With genres such as House, Progressive, Techno, and other types of dance music.
If you’re on the lookout for a bigger club, this place is for you.
Source: Facebook
Location: Andrejostas iela 5k-3 in the outskirt of the center (opening hours included)
Entrance fee: Free
Prices: $$
Other
Top 9 Things to Do in Riga Sorted by Adrenaline + Bonus
Including:
- Shooting grenade launchers, miniguns, or throwing hand grenades (but Desert Eagles are fun too)
- Experiencing the Saw simulator escape room. If getting a bag over your head, and handcuffed is your thing (like in the movie “Saw”)
- Visiting waterparks with intense waterslides (with names such as “Kamikaze”)
- The best casino (with free entrance and free bar while playing)
- And more…
Riga Nightlife: The Complete Weekend Guide + Bonus
Including:
- Getting the right accommodation for the right price (more money for all the fun stuff)
- How to get the “Uber” of Latvia and save on your transport costs (and avoid getting scammed by taxi drivers)
- Experience the best and most unique food and restaurants (how about a medieval restaurant?)
- And more…
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