There are many interesting places in Riga, but many of them do not get into the sights lists. Here are a few of them worth visiting: hipster quarter, one of the best casinos in Riga, cultural center and book store.
Locals call Miera street Miera Republic for a good reason, in this place, which SkyScanner, the portal for travelers, recently has included in the "twenty major hipster quarters of the world," has really special atmosphere. Local designer’s shops, tea shops, vintage shops, bicycle workshops, a hairdresser’s library, costume rental offices from different eras, a workshop for processing glass containers into designer interior items and even a hotel for flowers – everything you can imagine is there! Every summer, the street’s inhabitants hold a big festival “Summer Festival on Miera street”, which takes place right along the street and in the houses courtyards - with several scenes, poets and musicians performances, theatrical performances, master classes and other activities.
Miera for the whole city is famous for cafes, bars and clubs. For coffee and croissants, it's better to go to the cozy Miera cafe, for homemade lemon cakes and jazz concerts at DAD Cafe, for a tea ceremony and psychedelic atmosphere at the Illuseum, for freshly roasted coffee prepared by alternative methods at the Rocket Bean Roastery, for music and poetic evenings - in the cafe and the Taka culture house.
The street is also interesting from an architectural point of view: huge art nouveau houses with fancy decor coexist with small wooden mansions, and after a few meters, the view suddenly falls on the chocolate factory Laima fence graffiti.
The cultural center is located on the corner of Lachplesha and Skolas streets, in a building with more than a century of history. In the thirties of the last century, Riga’s Bohemia was gathering here, then the building was abandoned for a long time, but now everything is back to normal with the advent of Kaņepe, the bohemian audience and creative atmosphere has returned.
The cultural center includes a cafe-bar, a cinema hall and exhibition spaces. Here exhibitions of experimental art, concerts, film screenings and other events are regularly held, which in summer are often transferred directly to the street or to the courtyard.
Without Latvian capital’s gambling establishments, this list would be incomplete. There are dozens of similar establishments in the city. But it is better to turn your attention to those that belong to the VIP class. SL Casino, owned by an international holding company, is a great place for a respectable rest and game. This unit is managed by Michael Boettcher’s Shangri La and one of the best casinos in the city.
SL Casino is located in the heart of the city in the stunning complex Grand Hotel Kempinski. Thanks to a separate entrance and a bright sign, it is impossible to pass it by. Inside you will find all the classic entertainment: dozens of cool slots, roulette, poker, blackjack. For recreation there is a separate area and a cozy sports bar.
Even if you are new and have never been to a casino, it is worth a look. So to speak, for the sake of the atmosphere. The place impresses with a luxurious setting and a very friendly staff’s attitude. If it is necessary, dealers will tell the rules of the games and help you to navigate on the spot. Also, the unit is popular withith casino games fans, as Storm International, Darren Keane, managing director of the company noted, guarantees fair play and always instantly pays winnings.
Robert`s books tucked away in a cozy courtyard with graffiti is probably the cutest bookstore in Riga. For a small amount of money, you can buy books in English of a wide variety of genres: romances, books on history and political science, encyclopedias, guidebooks, biographies and children's publications. And you can even read your favorite book here, in a comfortable chair, with a cup of freshly brewed coffee.
