Riga Nightlife

When it comes to nightlife in Riga, this is a city that likes to drink and it often seems the locals never stop partying. The old town is awash with bars - everything from lounge style hangouts with DJs, comfy couches and funky visuals, right through to spit and sawdust drinking dens. One thing to look out for is that some bars are unofficially the sole preserve of Riga's Russian community and your presence will be, at best, tolerated.

Beware - some expats and even foreign embassies have reported an increase in foreigners being followed and robbed, or just plain ripped off, particularly in central bars that are known to be popular with the expat community. Most bars and clubs in Riga are late opening, with many staying open until 0300, seven days a week. The minimum legal drinking age is 18.

Despite years spent suppressed under Soviet rule, Latvian culture is alive and well. Since 1991, there has been a renaissance of interest in, and expression of, Latvian cultural identity and this has been mirrored with new developments, such as the reopening of Riga's Opera House.

For most of the 20th century, Latvia was renowned as a centre of ballet excellence and the 1970s saw Riga revered for its avant-garde experimentalist theatre and cinema. Dainas is the traditional Latvian folk song that will occasionally be performed in Riga. The mournful ballad-type songs deal with universal themes of love, marriage and death.

Tickets often have to be bought through the venues themselves, though the tourist information offices and better hotels are sometimes able to organise tickets. Most cultural events also have tickets available on the door.

Riga In Your Pocket and City Paper both have information in English. These are available from newsagents, tourist offices and many hotels.