The 10 Best Bars in Riga, Latvia

While Riga’s cultural history made it European Capital of Culture a few years ago, the town is also beloved by travelers for its nightlife. Most bars are in the Old Town but new trendy establishments are now increasingly popping up all over the place, and it can be difficult to choose that perfect spot to meet locals, have a drink, or just enjoy a quiet evening with friends. To simplify matters, here we profile the top 10 bars in Riga.
I Love You
Bar, Pub Grub

Despite its name leaving room for awkward accidental declarations of adoration, I Love You is one of Riga’s coolest bars. It still manages to feel cozy thanks to its comfortable plush couches, unassuming exterior and friendly vibe. The music is varied but generally good and it is a popular spot for intimate gigs or the occasional DJ set. In fact, the bar also has a small record label so it’s the perfect setting for musical discoveries.
Chomsky
Bar, European
Aussie Backpackers Pub
Pub, Australian, Pub Grub, Beer
Café Leningrad
Cafe, Russian, Coffee
Folkklubs ALA Pagrabs
Pub, Restaurant, Bar, Pub Grub, European, Beer


For a rustic Latvian experience in the heart of Riga, head to the “folk club” ALA Pagrabs, a surprisingly gigantic bar and restaurant entirely underground (pagrabs means basement). The long wooden table which guests share, Eastern European snacks and dishes, and labyrinthine layout with cozy nooks and crannies call to mind an old-time tavern, something the management is keen to encourage by organizing folk concerts and dances. ALA’s main asset is its selection of 28 beers on tap, the largest in Riga.
Skyline Bar
Bar, Vegetarian
Find a Latino atmosphere in Riga at Cuba Café, in the Old Town. This bar-café doesn’t overdo its Cuban theme, striving for authenticity in its atmosphere instead of relying on stereotypical decorations. The interior is very eclectic, featuring a stuffed fox, old lamps, pictures of Fidel Castro, and old-fashioned wallpapers. The overall effect is surprisingly charming. It is the perfect place to have a mojito and to dance salsa. There’s also a terrace in the summer.
Kanepes Kulturas Centrs
Bar, Beer

Kanepes Kulturas Centrs is not just a bar but also a cultural hub where visitors can chat about “the value of art, whales, or the winding of destiny” over a drink, against the backdrop of a variety of cultural events, from experimental live music to film screenings. The building itself, just a stone’s throw from the Art Nouveau district, symbolizes the place’s bohemian feel: it was built over a hundred years ago for Baltic German and Russian aristocrats and was later occupied by art students and then abandoned before coming to life again.
Omas Briljants
Bar, Pub, Beer, Pub Grub

Rock Café
Cafe, Pub, Restaurant, Pub Grub, Coffee
A legendary bar in the Old Town, Rock Café has it all: a place to sit down for a drink but also a busy dance floors with a variety of music (including live concerts), a pool room, and karaoke, the only problem being choosing a song from the huge list of available titles! It is extremely lively, especially on Saturday nights, but the atmosphere is friendly and it is very easy to start chatting to just about anyone. Its proximity to the center and most of the city’s hostels make it especially convenient.
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