If you were thinking Leningrad stopped existing after the big daddy passed away, you are wrong. Lenin’s remains are still in the Central square in Moscow, while his revolutionary spirit lives in the basement cafe in central Riga. It feels like you are visiting Vlad in his living room during a dinner party.

Every day, the cafe has a lunch offer and other treats. During those times, Leningrad seems relatively innocent, with business people and looking family friendly, but as dusk sets, underground musicians, DJs and punk rock live bands take over for the rest of the night. The number of bras hanging behind the bar remove the last remnants of innocence about this place’s daylight innocence. The most punk thing about cafe Leningrad is the staff. Their exquisite sense of humor is what attracts me the most. Of course, the great homemade food, the hard liquor and the rock’n’roll play a part in it too. I’m already out of all my underwear during these years.

Leningrad is also worth visiting if you are looking for a souvenir to take home for your close ones. Starting with classics such as t-shirts and pins to carefully selected music CDs and vinyls. Prices may vary depending on the alignment of the stars, or how drunk you are.