Riga Nightlife Guide Clubs and Bars in Riga

If one thing can be said about people who spend four months out of the year in near total darkness it's this: they like their drink. Yes, the Latvians know how to party and Riga is the capital of the Latvian nightlife. Summertime is the only time to visit Riga, and you will find the whole of the country wants to go out on a lovely Saturday night in July.

Start your night out with a filling dinner accompanied by several heavy Latvian brews. Most pubs serve food until ten or eleven at night and close at midnight. Most clubs are located in old town, so choose your hotel and dinner spot accordingly. Once you have finished eating and given your stomach a rest, it's time to dance. Whether its Russian pop music, Latvian pop music, or Latvian re-mixed of American pop music you are looking for...well, that's what you can expect at Riga's many local night clubs.

The Pupu lounge (Latvian for titi lounge!), located at Marstalu 14 in the old city, is one of Riga's most popular night clubs. Pupu is also the Latvian word for beans, which are served here in abundance. The club is open until...actually, it may not close at all and the Latvians will keep on drinking and dancing until its time for coffee and sausages. There are two main rooms, one playing loud dance music and the other, quieter room is meant for sitting and talking. Expect to find a lot of tourists and ex patriots here as the prices are relatively high.

The Voodoo is located in one of Riga's most popular hotels; the Reval Hotel Latvija in the center of the city. The Voodoo consists of a casino, a bar, a nightclub, and a dance-club. The motif is African, and the rooms are decorated with African art and African-themed furnishings. With all of your options here, you are sure to find something you like, and the comfortable couches may be welcoming at 4:30 in the morning while your friends are still dancing!

If it's live music you are looking for, try Pulkvedim Neviens Neraksta (Nobody Writes to the Colonal-taken from the title of a novel by Gabriel Garcia Marquez). Live rock, alternative and punk music can be found here most nights, alternating with techno and dance djs. 26/28 Peldu iela (J-2), tel. 721 38 86.

In addition to the popular clubs listed above, Riga hosts many erotic clubs and gay dance clubs; both aimed primarily at tourists. There is a wealth of things to do in Riga, at literally all hours of the day and night. Enjoy Riga's bustling night life on your next European jaunt.