FIFA Football World Cup 2014 is going to start in a few days, unfortunately Latvian Natiaonal team haven't managed to get into final part, which will take place in Brazil.
Likely almost every of us, Latvians, has another or two favourite team :)
Personally, I like to watch football with friends in shot bar Spot Kafe. Spot is a good place in Old town with few large TVs always showing sport games.

Labels: bars, football, hobby, ice hockey, interior, nightlife, soccer, sports, tv, vecriga

Bar is a name of Bar, which is located on 55 Dzirnavu street. It is a recently opened bar in place of Hedonia place.

Labels: bars, center, night, nightlife, restaurants

Artelis is a new (1 week old) night and performance club on Blaumana between Caka iela and Barona iela.

Labels: art, club, music, nightlife, people, theaters

New Year after-party in the brand new Riga nightclub RAЙ (Rai), which name could be translated as Paradise.
Rai was open few weeks ago in place of the former ultra-popular club La Rocca, which is connected to Studio 69
Apparently Rai is an affiliate of Moscow club with the same name.

Labels: clubs, girls, holidays, nightlife, people, writings

Nightclub The Club is located in Old town. To be precise it is in the same premises on Kungu iela as former Steam Club and even more former Nautilus club :)
It was open in June 2010.

Labels: clubs, lights, nightlife, people, vecriga

AmPir (Empire style) is the name of the recently opened place on Kalku iela 22.
One year before an infamous and expensive Restaurant Nostalgija was located here.
Unfortunately I can't tell more about this place for now. Maybe some of the visitors can? Thanks.

Labels: bars, brivibas, night, nightlife, restaurants, snow, writings

Čilija Pica (Chili Pizza) is the largest pizza chain in Latvia, although it is originally Lithuanian company.
It is famous for relatively low prices and good quality of food. Some of Čili pizzerias are open day and night and serving alcohol, hence Čilik could be considered as part of Riga nightlife or even morning life when everybody comes here after parties to have some pizza :)

Labels: center, cheap, food, lithuanian, night, nightlife, restaurants, snow

Yesterday in all Riga Clubs was a costume party devoted to Halloween.
Just (to feel) is a new club in Old Town in the place of the former Zebra club, just across Coyote Fly.
It is like a drain club of Coyote Fly. Almost all the people who couldn't get into Coyote go to Just Club :)

Labels: clubs, events, holidays, lights, nightlife, people

Morkovka (carrot) is colloquial name for shopping center located on the crossroads of Ilukstes & Deglava streets.
It was built in the end of 1980s and painted in absolutely irregular color for Soviet times - the orange one.
Nowadays the whole area around this building is called Morkovka, although it is not so orange as before.
Morkovka is also kind of nightlife center. Some main residents of the building are Enigma nightclub, Fortuna casino and Deli cafe.

Labels: cafes, casinos, clubs, nightlife, orange, plavnieki, post, shopping, soviet

Another interesting name belongs to a nightclub located in Old Town on Aspazijas blvd next to Riga Gallery.
Although Opium Dance Club is much more popular and reputable than Capsule After Party Club.
Opium is a regular night club for both locals and tourists where regular visitors are between 18 and 22 years old.
2 stages with regular R&B and Dance music. Regular prices and no entry fee.

Labels: bars, cars, clubs, night, nightlife, people, streets, vecriga

Club First Dacha or simply First Club is one of the most prestigious nightlife places in Riga.
It is located in Andrejsala harbour, which is quite remote area from all other party places in Riga, hence here are no random visitors, if you don't have a yacht, of course :)
I couldn't take a good picture during the night, therefore here is the morning after dark.

Labels: andrejsala, clubs, elite, first, girls, harbours, morning, music, nightlife, people, wealth

Orange Bar is quite an alternative place in Old Town. Cheap drinks, trash music, hippies and bards.

Labels: alternative, bars, nightlife, vecriga

Despite the full name of Naktsklubs Kapsula (Capsule Nightclub) it is a true morning club.
The club was opened few months ago and it is located on Audeju iela across the night drugstore.
Most of the visitors come here after 4 o'clock in the morning from regular clubs for after party.
Rare case for places in old town, but this bar has entry fee.

Labels: bars, clubs, doorways, morning, music, nightlife, people, vecriga

Whitehouse Party at Vernissage Cafe is kinda Latvian replica of Sensation White.
Electronic music, many DJs and the most important that everybody dressed in white (except shoes)

Labels: cafes, clubs, events, girls, music, night, nightlife, people, white

In the past Salamandra club was the famous Drum and Bass and other electronic music nightclub in Riga.
Salamandra was opened in 2003 in the former industrial area. Since 2008 the club is relegated to oblivion.
Many electronic music artists like Future Prophecies, Pendulum and Raiden were guests DJs in Salamandra during these 5 years. I must admit that Salamandra also had reputation of the place for drug abused people.

Labels: alternative, buildings, halls, industrial, jugla, music, nightlife

This morning I was quite surprised to see so many people next to Nightclub Godvil.
In fact it was one of the final rehearsals before New Wave song contest.

Labels: brivibas, clubs, girls, nightlife, people, show, teika, vef

A real night out must be from Dusk till Dawn, especially in summer Riga, because the sunrise is always very early.
Photo has been taken at beginning Kr Barona iela, next to Kapsula club.

Labels: center, dawn, morning, nightlife, people, streets, tramways, vecriga

Pulkvedim neviens neraksta (Nobody Writes to the Colonel) is a famous nightclub in Old Town named after the eponymous novella by Colombian author Gabriel Garcia Marquez.
It was opened in 2001 and it is located just across the bohemian Kabata club. These both places definitely can't be called mainstream clubs. Although it is not total alternative ones.
Pulkvedis is just an good old small nightclub.

Labels: clubs, girls, morning, nightlife, people, vecriga

Nightclub Piens (Milk) is famous for its bohemian public and very friendly atmosphere.
Although it is quite difficult to get into the club. Bouncer must know you, otherwise there is no way in.
Luckily there is next door Kefirs club, which has no such strict rules to enter.

Labels: alternative, center, clubs, elite, jobs, morning, nightlife, people

I've heard many drastic stories about this place, but I never knew that it is located in the very center on Matisa iela.
Purvs (Mire) is a nightclub for sexual minorities, mostly for lesbians and gays. Purvs with its dark room has the reputation of the most lecherous place in Riga.

Labels: alternative, center, clubs, doorways, night, nightlife, queer

McDrive is another way to entertain yourself or your girlfriend during boring night.
Photo is taken at McDonald's at Krasta, which is opened 24/7 and could be considered as part of Riga nightlife

Labels: cars, food, kengarags, lights, night, nightlife, restaurants

Pulse is a tiny nightclub located in the basement of the building at Citadeles street.
Electronic music like Trance and Drum and Bass is very common in Pulse. Also it is being rent for private parties quite often.

Labels: buildings, clubs, music, night, nightlife, underground

I always feel sorry, when I write about casinos, especially which are built in a very poor areas of the city.
Estonian company Casino Olympic has a low of slot machines around the town, some of them has title Lounge, and some of them has Optibet representative, the only Latvian totalizator company.
Have you ever put a bet on sport?

Labels: agenskalns, casinos, estonian, nightlife, sports

Laimētava Fenikss (Slot Machines Phoenix) is one of most popular resort of the regular labourers.
In fact it is one of the hundreds Riga casinos. Those regular people are addicted to gambling and can't do anything about it, just spend the whole monthly wage in one night.

Labels: agenskalns, bars, buildings, casinos, night, nightlife

Lido at Krasta is one of the few places in Riga, where live performance is being held everyday.
Live music makes people dance waltz, cha-cha-cha and other ballroom dances every single day.

Labels: bars, culture, interior, music, nightlife, people, restaurants

Crystal Club is located on Lacplesa iela, in place of former cinema Kino 52.
Since the opening in 2008 it's gaining some popularity among people from high society, mostly Russians.
Despite free entrance, all Crystal's visitors look fancy and glamorous.

Labels: cars, center, cinemas, clubs, elite, night, nightlife, taxi

Colonnade is a nightclub in Riga. It is located on Dzirnavu iela, just next to Hotel Latvia and Essential club.
It was opened in 2008, just after fire in La rocca, therefore a lot of "party people" moved to Colonnade.
Despite free entrance, good location and good house/dance music, Colonnade didn't become one of the most popular Riga clubs.

Labels: cars, center, clubs, night, nightlife

La Rocca is the biggest and one of the most famous night clubs in Riga. It is located on Brivibas iela.
La Rocca was opened in 2000 in the building of former Operetta Theatre. In 2007 La Rocca was on fire, but since the end of 2008 La Rocca is open again.
La Rocca consists of 3 dance floors Red Square, RnB Bar and Main arena with different music styles. Also it shares the same roof with Studio 69 and many other entertainment facilities. Although you can visit it for additional entrance fee.
Regular LaRocca visitor's age is between 16 and 21, hence prices in bar are relatively low if we compare them to other Riga places.
The main disadvantage of La Rocca is the fierce security guards and distance from other night clubs.

Updated: Larocca club is closed down. Since December 2010 club Rai is located here.

Labels: arches, bars, buildings, cars, clubs, entertainment, music, night, nightlife, streets, theaters

Last night Armin van Buuren had live performance in Essential Club Riga. It was already his 4th visit in Riga.
Thanks to his own unique project A State of Trance his popularity is growing drastically in the recent years, therefore Armin is said to be DJ #1 in the world 3 years in a row.
Thanks to Sunwave for close-up photo :)

Labels: clubs, famous, lights, music, nightlife, people, persons

I am interested what people were thinking of when they named a bar I love you, which is located on Aldaru iela.
The bar itself very similar to Krogs Aptieka. Generally good prices, Latvian people, friendly culture.
See also I Love you writing at AB Dambis

Labels: bars, nightlife, vecriga, winter

Coyote Fly or simply Kojoti is officially the second most busiest place in Riga, after French Bar naturally.
Kojoti is also the most Latvian place ever. Foreigners are traditionally banned. In order to get into club you have to show Latvian ID document or be fluent in Latvian language. Very fluent!
Pros:
Always busy
Good Location, just next to Embankment
Lots of nice ladies, who dance on the bar
Strict face control
Unique toilets for guys
Cons:
Prices are a little bit higher than in average place
Slow Service
Usually no place in wardrobe
No place to dance (no place to fall down neither :))

Labels: bars, clubs, elite, girls, night, nightlife, restaurants, vecriga

Cozy restaurant Lauvas Nams, which is located on Brivibas iela, is not only a good place to have lunch.
Lauvas Names could be considered as well as part of Riga night life. Because it is open 24/7, and it became a popular destination to go of many party people after night at clubs.

Labels: bars, cafes, cars, center, night, nightlife, restaurants, snow, winter

Nightclub Scandal (former name Martini) is located on Kalku iela, just next door to Malibu.
Scandal is one of the biggest clubs in Old Town, it has two dance floors and a lot of chilling sofas, so it looks more like a lounge bar.
Pros:
excellent location
almost always packed
free entrance
Cons:
minimal face control, hence many drunk people looking for problems.
sometimes very strange music

Labels: bars, clubs, music, nightlife, vecriga

I have never been a big fan of blues, jazz music nor live music in general. Before I visited Bites Blues Club.
I was invited by Lynne Jordan, who were not just performing here tonight, but also brought me a souvenir magnet from Chicago :)
Her stage performance turned me into a new fan of live music, where an artist controls and interact with the public, making jokes, etc. Basically she behaves like an absolute leader and makes fun even with relatively quiet and passive crowd. So you can easy feel the energy exchange :)
The club itself has a great atmosphere, nice design, it is without high prices and with enormous collection of blues artists' photos performed here, in Bites blūza klubs.

Labels: american, center, clubs, culture, famous, music, nightlife, people

Melnais Kaķis (Black Cat) is a restaurant by day and a bar by night. It is named after famous Kaķu nams.
It is a good place to have some drinks with friends before going clubbing or to play billiards.

Labels: animals, bars, cafes, cats, nightlife, people, restaurants, vecriga, winter

Penthouse is a new nightclub in Old Town, which is being promoted as the only place in the Baltic States, where you can watch sensual and spicy shows in our erotic theatre.
Why no spicy photos? I just didn't get any invitation for the grand opening ceremony :)
BTW, Lounge 8 was located in this building before.

Labels: bars, clubs, doorways, nightlife, theaters, vecriga

Foxy Lounge is located in the same building as Fashion club, Vegas Casino and Push Club.
Despite trustworthy neighbours Foxy Lounge is blacklisted bar in Riga.
When I was taking this photo I almost get in troubles with angry security, therefore there is definitely something wrong in this business.

Labels: bars, center, clubs, criminal, nightlife, shame, underground, winter

Kabata (Pocket) is a small underground theater and bar with dance floor at the night time.
This place is favourited by many artistic personalities of Latvian community.
Initially it was opened as the first non-government-controlled Latvian theater in Soviet Union, hence its full official name has prefix Independent theater.

Labels: art, bars, clubs, first, independence, latvian, nightlife, streets, theaters, vecriga

Steam is the recently opened club in south part of Old Town at Kungu iela.
In fact it is the same Nautilus club, which had resided in this building previously.
Also Steam organizes daytime disco which is very popular among teenagers, who are not allowed in nightclubs.

Labels: children, clubs, night, nightlife, vecriga

XL Pelmeņi (XL dumplings) is a dumpling bar in Riga old town.
Pelmeni is open almost 24/7 which makes it involved in the nightlife of Riga. It is very popular place have a bite after clubs :)
BTW, pelmeni is coming from Siberian cuisine.

Labels: bars, food, night, nightlife, restaurants, russian, vecriga

Forum Cinemas as known as Parex Plaza and formerly was known as Coca-Coca Plaza is one of two mainstream Riga cinemas, in other words which shows the same movies as everywhere else in the world.
The most interesting thing about Latvian cinemas is that movies are usually subtitled in two languages (Latvian and Russian) at the same time. Only animated cartoons for children are being dubbed.
See another picture of the main Riga Cinema.

Labels: buildings, cinemas, lights, movies, night, nightlife

Disko 21 is certainly a night club on Raina boulevard in the very center of Riga.
It is not a posh place like Studio 69 or recently opened blazing Push, Disko 21 is more for people around 30 or older, who knows what the scene is.
BTW, I guess this is the only night club in Riga where you can sing Karaoke :)

Labels: center, clubs, night, nightlife, writings

Tekila Bum is another place in Old Town to go out for drinking in Riga. By the way it is a night club as well.
This place is sequel of another Tequila Boom.
How fast are you able to drink one meter of Tequila? :)

Labels: clubs, doorways, lights, night, nightlife, vecriga

Grūst (Push) is not anymore just a simple writing on some door on Merkela street. Push is the most recently opened night club in Riga, hence people without invitation are waiting in line for some new feelings and inexperienced emotions.
The building, which Push is sharing with Fashion club, is still famous under another former club's name Vernissage.

Labels: center, clubs, doorways, girls, night, nightlife, people, queue, writings

I guess everybody likes the Prodigy, at least did at some point.
Their fifth album Invaders must die is the reason why they came to Riga today again.
Unseen show for Latvian capital makes Rigans think that artists are absolutely insane. Or Maybe they are? :)

Labels: british, culture, english, events, famous, music, nightlife, persons, skonto

Skyline is a prestigious Riga bar on 26th floor of Hotel Latvia. Despite being located on Riga top, Skyline's prices are quite affordable even for students like I am :)
It is a good place to bring foreign guests in order to show the whole Riga city at once.
Check the panoramic view from Skyline.

Labels: bars, cafes, hotels, nightlife, people, restaurants, skyscrapers, wealth

Studio 69 is not only a night club, but a whole entertainment complex, which includes, different bars, restaurants, casino, hotel.
And on top of that Studio is connected to Rai with its 3 dance floors and hundreds of regular visitors.
Studio 69 has reputation of relatively expensive place for middle and upper-income workers. In fact here are a lot of people just pretending to be rich and the atmosphere of the club is very simulated.
Pros:

• Good music
• A lot of nice looking girls
• Sushi Bar
• Shisha Bar (aka Hookah or water-pipe)
  

Cons:

• A lot of rich people poor in spirit
• Cheap young girls looking for a sponsor (for somebody it could be more pro rather than con :))
  
• Intense gazes, not very friendly atmosphere
  
• Severe Security

Labels: bars, blue, casinos, clubs, hotels, lights, nightlife, people, restaurants

Enigma is one more blacklisted club in Riga. This place change name so often, that you can't track all of them.
The most recent former names of this place were Puzzle and Pink Panther.

Labels: clubs, criminal, doorways, nightlife, shame, tunnels, vecriga

La Belle Epoque (more famous as French Bar) is the friendliest and the cheapest place in Riga, which is overcrowded every day except Sunday. Why? Just because it is closed on Sundays!
99% of visitors are foreigners, students and foreign students. French Bar is the best place to practice any language. Multi-cultural, free and easy atmosphere makes this place really unique for Riga.
French Bar is located on Maza Monetu iela in Old town.

Labels: bars, belle epoque, cheap, education, foreign, french, multilingual, nightlife, people, vecriga

Radio Bars (Radiobar) is another Riga place of good reputation. Radio Bar is located on Zirgu iela in Old Town.
Smoking kills and it is forbidden almost everywhere in Riga, including night clubs. Such law makes people gather next to doors of any club.
The best thing about this club is chic and sexy bartender girls. And the worst thing is that they never respond :)

Labels: bars, clubs, doorways, night, nightlife, people, streets, vecriga