If it
happens that you are craving for cultural experiences and would love to have a
drink surrounded by those who eat and breathe culture, wear hats, beards and
glasses, and read books there are some really great hipster-places in Riga.
Yeah, I said hipster-places. I've also heard that Riga is hipster capital. At
least this article tells it: Hipster Capital Riga
Well,
whatever, I’m not here to find the definition of hipsterism. I’m here to share
with you info about two pretty enjoyable places that are well known here as
typical hipster-places. It means, you will have to get out of the Old Town. No
worries, both of them are at the city center and really just some 10-15 min
walk away from the Old Town.
Old
furniture, heat from fireplaces, friendly locals, concerts, out-of-the-box
performances and booze, oh, and usually no snobs there as well!!!
KKC – Kaņepes Kultūras Centrs
This
self-proclaimed culture center in old mansion has real charm. It’s just a 10 min walk away from the Old Town. No chic.
And that’s the best thing about this place – the content and charm comes from
people, performances and attitude. They have even movie evenings and the territory
outside in front of the building is absolutely welcoming in summers, gathering
people like a magnet.
Not just
the bar and stage, but the building itself has stories around, in and
out. It stands there from the beginning of XX century, it has hosted
aristocracy and lived through bohemian times when students lived there and it
has been school of music for children as well.
Address: Skolas iela 15. It’s right on the corner
between Skolas and Lāčplēša streets.
Look for a giant sculpture of a black lion outside on the wall, and fence that draws
a boundary between the street and another world.
Who goes
there? Well, definitely not bling-bling people looking for posh and luxury or
willing to get something from you. You will meet there artists, students,
writers, photographers, hipsters, philosophers and lovers of cultural values –
those who are looking for something different and able to find more into less.
Check out their Facebook fan page to dig into pictures: KKC (Kaņepes Kultūras Centrs) Facebook Page
CHOMSKY
As you
might have guessed – this place has been named after American philosopher Noam
Chomsky. They are kind of rebels that dare to say out loud – we are not here to
comply with authorities and political correctness. This place is pretty small and you probably won’t
even notice it if you were just walking by not looking for it. It’s in that
part of city center where tourists don’t get so often. When nobody is looking
for ordering drinks, a guy behind the bar pretty often is reading books. That’s
already something that tells about this place. It is a really simple shed-like
place - one more little piece of heaven that proves that simplicity has a lot in it. Old furniture that seems to have lived its life already,
perfectly fits into this place where being who you are is valued a lot higher
than pretending. Oh, and this small place from times to times
have concerts as well that might surprise you with really undomesticated music.
Address:
Lāčplēša iela 68. Look for a portrait of Noam Chomsky next to the
entrance.
Who goes
there? Friends and lone wolves who want to have a beer in a shed-like place,
those who want to spend time talking to people, those who can go out without
make-up or their best clothes on, and that-kind of people who go to KKC as
well.
I haven’t lied a word, that’s how it looks and feels there: Chomsky Facebook Page
These both
places are truly welcoming, so if you have a feeling that’s something for you,
I’m sure you won’t regret going there! If these places seem for you suspicious and too strange, you probably don't have to waste your time going there. If fact, these are not just "some kind of places" to have a drink - these are experiences in space-time.
