Nightlife · Riga · Latvia
Riga nightlife
Where the evenings happen in Riga, from early drinks to late nights.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Suicasmo, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Riga's nightlife centres on Old Riga's bars, cocktail lounges and clubs, with a more local scene of craft-beer bars and creative venues around Miera iela and Tallinas kvartāls. Drinks are affordable by Western European standards. The main areas are Old Riga, Miera iela and Tallinas kvartāls, Spīķeri riverside and Quiet Centre.
Key facts
- Nightlife areas
- 4
- Stay near the action
- Old Riga
- Local drink
- Riga Black Balsam
Where to go out
Old Riga
Dense with pubs, cocktail bars, beer halls and clubs around Kaļķu iela and the squares; busiest at weekends.
Miera iela and Tallinas kvartāls
Cafés that turn into bars, craft beer and courtyard events with a local crowd.
Spīķeri riverside
Summer terraces and concerts by the river behind the Central Market.
Quiet Centre
Wine bars and cocktail bars on and around Antonijas and Elizabetes streets.
Nightlife tips
- Avoid bars where strangers on the street or in clubs invite you in; inflated-bill scams have targeted visitors in Old Riga.
- Always check drink prices on the menu before ordering.
- Use ride-hailing apps for late journeys rather than hailing taxis outside clubs.
What to drink
- Riga Black Balsam — A dark, bitter herbal liqueur first produced in Riga in the 18th century from a recipe of herbs, roots and berries. It is drunk neat, in coffee, mixed with blackcurrant juice or in cocktails.
Evenings through the year
Sunset and the overnight low decide how long the outdoor part of a night lasts. July has the warmest evenings, with lows around 13°C (55°F).
| Month | Sunset (15th) | Overnight low | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | About 16:15 | -6°C (21°F) | 10 |
| April | About 20:32 | 2°C (36°F) | 7 |
| July | About 22:07 | 13°C (55°F) | 9 |
| October | About 18:22 | 4°C (39°F) | 11 |
Getting home late
- Walking — Walking is the best way to see Old Riga and the Art Nouveau streets; the Central Market is about 10 minutes from Town Hall Square.
- Tram — Buy e-tickets from machines, kiosks or the official mobile app before boarding; buying from the driver costs more.
- Bus — Buses and trolleybuses fill the gaps, and bus 22 links the airport with the city centre.
- Ride-hailing — Use an app rather than hailing taxis outside bars or at the station, where overcharging has been reported.
Late-night bites
- Bacon buns — Bakeries and bakery counters across the city; best fresh and warm.
- Riga sprats — Supermarkets, the fish pavilion of the Central Market and as open sandwiches in cafés.
- Glazed curd snack — The dairy fridge of any supermarket or convenience store.
- Midsummer caraway cheese — The Central Market and supermarkets, especially in the weeks before 23–24 June.
Staying safe at night
Riga is generally low-risk for visitors, but pickpocketing occurs at the Central Market, the stations and crowded Old Town streets. Inflated-bill scams involving bars and strangers who invite visitors in have been widely reported in Old Riga, so choose your own venues and check prices.
- Emergency number
- 112 (all emergencies)
Where to stay for nightlife
$$$ · Best for first-timers, couples, culture and nightlife
Old Riga
Vecrīga is the walled medieval city, now without most of its walls but keeping its street plan, the Dome, St Peter's and St Jacob's churches, merchants' houses and the rebuilt House of the Blackheads on Town Hall Square. Staying here puts every historic sight within ten minutes on foot, but expect crowds on summer days and noise from bars on weekend nights.
- Good
- Historic sights on the doorstep; Atmospheric evenings; Walkable to the Central Market and station
- Watch out
- Restaurants on the main squares are pricier; Weekend noise and stag groups; Cobbles are hard work with luggage
- Nearby
- House of the Blackheads, Riga Cathedral, St Peter's Church, Three Brothers
Questions travellers ask
+Where is the best nightlife in Riga?
Old Riga, Miera iela and Tallinas kvartāls and Spīķeri riverside. Dense with pubs, cocktail bars, beer halls and clubs around Kaļķu iela and the squares; busiest at weekends.
+Which area of Riga is best for nightlife?
Old Riga: Medieval lanes, church spires and guild houses on the right bank of the Daugava.