Archives for “local” tag

This is a new entertainment place in the centre of Riga, it just opened September of last year. Before that it used to be a music school, but they moved out. Kaņepes Culture Center is only one year old, but already brings a lot of people together. This place loves everybody – the young and old, artists, IT specialists, kids, teachers and professors. Even pets and other animals.

From the outside Kaņepes Culture Center looks like any typical building, which needs to be renovated. But when I entered it, I saw a lot more. During the day it is open for kids for creative art lessons. On the first and second floor there are exhibitions. But in the evening it brings together a lot of nice, positive, creative (or not so creative), good people. Music is played live. There is no musical equipment like big speakers, microphones and other stuff and this makes it extra live, and creates extra atmosphere.

There is no fancy interior, but they do not need it anyway. People come together to listen to music, talk, play table games, and enjoy exhibitions and generally have a good evening. There is also a bar, where they serve drinks and smiles. And the best thing: they love bicycles. 

Recently they started to teach the percussion.

This Saturday February 2nd: Masterclass with Russian blogger Dmitry Chernyshev. Entrance 10Ls, language: Russian.

Ostas Skati is a restaurant at the end of Ķīpsala, so… a nice place where to end your tour around Ķīpsala. I haven’t been there during the winter, but in summer it is a beautiful place to have dinner or just a drink with your friends. First of all Ķīpsala itself is a nice island. The location with with a view of Riga is great. And this restaurant improves the view with a good atmosphere, service, music and good food.

I like that this is not a crowded place, at least it wasn’t the times I was here. It’s a good place if you want to have a conversation with your friends but not in the city center and still… not far from it. And the atmosphere is improved by the water – a little wind, boats, waves and sun.

Ostas Skati has indoor seating, and two summer terraces. You can see one of them in picture. The other terrace is a tent on the water – perfect to hide from the wind, while still being outside.

New year, new season and Ticket to Heaven is open!

If you are in Riga during the warm season which is from late Spring till early Autumn check out this bustaurant.

I discovered this place on my walk around Andrejsala two summers ago when I came across this bus. Since that time everyone who is visiting me has to go for a hot chocolate with me to bustaurant. Ticket to Heaven was put here not for taking passengers to Great Britain, but for letting people dream.

Bustaurant is a two floor cafe with a terrace. I like the interior, maybe I’m wrong, but to  me it is something like eclecticism – different styles in one place, ensuring a cozy atmosphere. At different tables and on different chairs and couches, they let you day-dream. It shows that there are no boundaries to creativeness and fantasy and this is what I like here.

Call your friend, take a walk to Andrejsala, go to the Bustaurant, order tea, coffee or any other drink and converse and relax. From here you can see the Old town. Boats will pass by- making high waves and interrupting your dream for a few seconds. When the boat is gone and the water is calm again you can dream again, and maybe your dream will come true. 

They say money cannot buy happiness, but it surely can buy chocolate, which is almost the same thing. So when in Riga, there is no place to buy this kind of treat than Emils Gustavs Chocolate.

Founded in 2005 this enterprise has spread all over the capital and now is situated in many of shopping malls in the town. The nicest place to enjoy its offer is in the center near Opera House, there is a spacious cafeteria with an incredibly nice aroma all over the place . The peaceful background music makes this a good spot for those with a sweet tooth.

Emils Gustavs Chocolate offers truffles, dark, white and milk chocolate bars with different fillings, candies and statues of chocolate, cookies with marzipan and nuts, ice cream shakes and hot chocolate and a lot more wrapped in ascetic plastic bags. A perfect place to buy an original gift or a souvenir. Furthermore, if you are indecisive (and at this kind of place this is no surprise) the friendly staff will always be eager to help. 

‘Upe’ translated to English means river, and is a perfect word to describe a record shop like this. Upe is filled with harmony and quality music.

This shop has a lot to offer, but firstly it is a record store. The range of selection is incredibly wide; one can satisfy almost all music cravings – from the newest albums of worldwide bestselling artists to local singers and unknown artists.

Nowhere else in Riga can vinyl be found in such a quantity. Not only music lovers admire this place, it also has a wine studio and a coffee shop to offer. By the way, this is the only place in town where the most expensive coffee in the world can be bought (Luwak), which is made by a special technology.

Apart from coffee and a record shop, this is a charming place to have a drink and get to know the newest music trends and upcoming events. 

To sum up, this is a paradise for those who love music and are used to buying it, because it is the least we can do for the beloved artists and idols.