Riga Nightlife
Riga is perhaps the least Westernised of the Baltic cities.
As well as providing a more in-depth cultural experience for visitors, this also means that prices are as inexpensive as anywhere in Europe. At the same time, bars and restaurants are not always well regulated and if you wait until you have finished to ask the price, you may get a surprise at the cost of the bill.
If you are looking for somewhere to spend not-very-much, the Martini bar on Kalku iela is popular for its flexibility – it starts as a cocktail bar and then turns into a nightclub – and long hours: you can still order an Australian lamb chop here at midnight. For somewhere more dramatic but possibly more competitive to get a table, head for the Skyline Bar in the Reval Hotel Latvija. It's another cocktail venue, but this time with a dramatic panoramic view to accompany it.
If you're not out for a wild night, head for the Irish pub on Tirgonu. One of several in this category, you'll find a selection of 30 beers and a choice of Irish specialities on the menu too. Staff here speak both English and German and there is live music on Thursdays.
When you feel in need of a chill-out, the Bites Bliza Klubs (Blues club) is located on dzirnavu. With no dress code and no rules about where you put your feet, this place has a cult reputation across Europe and America. With frequent international guest stars at the weekend, it's definitely the place to head if you're looking for some of those low down funky Blues.
Most of the nightclubs are located in the Old Town, where there is a range to suit most tastes, from the strip-tease Big Point Club on Brivibas to the Casablanca on Smilshu, which is a little more conservative and also contains a restaurant. Of course, this clientele is reflected in the prices.
If you are after something a bit more mainstream however, Club Essential is an R&B 'Mecca' that springs to life after 01:00 local time, but still manages to attract a crowd that varies from 20 to 40-years-old. Faraons, on Lubanas, has a floor for each taste, too, so you'll find a well-mixed crowd between the erotic show and the 1960s disco.
Highly recommended is "Nobody writes to the colonel", located in an old basement with a reckless vibe and barcardi bar, this is one of the best reputed clubs for guest DJs. Club jazz has also not been neglected, with a modern jazz night on Wednesdays at Depo on Valnu.
For something a little more exotic, there are plenty of "Russian speaking" clubs in the centre. Riga's demographic mix contains a lot of Russian speakers and it's worth taking in some of the culture if you're so inclined. Nautilus on Kungu has an interior like a submarine, with dance and R&B as well as house – although you may need to haggle for your drinks when you buy them.
The city is becoming increasingly popular for stag nights, for which many tour organisers now offer packages, which is perhaps because of the prodigious number of strip clubs. If this is your thing, head for the Dolls club on Aspazijas Boulevard, or Kleopatra on Stabu, which is part of a US chain. Monoroe has also opened recently on Skarnu.
As Riga's reputation as a party capital grows, word spreads about the cheap booze and friendly hospitality and budget airlines continue to cotton on to the market, there is little doubt that the selection of things to do here will only keep on growing.
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Nightlife
