One can’t have a full beer experience in Riga without, at some point, visiting Labietis. This is just a fact. Labietis has been at the heart of Riga beer drinking culture since I first visited it back in high school, and, of course, probably longer than that. They’ve been so successful that the Labietis brand has branched out to other locations in Riga, with one in the newly renovated Central Market and one in the Old Town. But nothing beats the old Labietis, the one which always seems crowded both indoors and outdoors, the one which is only a few minutes walk from Tallinas Kvartāls, and the one which I have so many fond memories of.
A conversation about Labietis can’t be had without discussing their beer. You’ll find their brand spread far and wide across Latvian stores, but it is here, straight from the tap, where you’ll get the most authentic experience. Their beers never lack unique flavor and amusing titles, such as ‘field,’ ‘forest,’ or ‘witch.’ And, for the record, Pļava (field) is always a safe go-to beer for your first experience at Labietis.
So, if you want to blend in with the locals and have a conversation starter with your Latvian friends, best come down to Labietis and make some memories!