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Jazz up Your Holidays in Riga

Let the music take you away… to Riga! The lively capital of Latvia is quite the jazz hub, with numerous venues and festivals, and a rich history in jazz music. Conveniently, the Radisson Blu Latvija Conference & Spa Hotel is a prime destination on the Riga jazz map!

11 Jul 2024 4 min to read

An Exquisite Evening of Jazz Mere Minutes from Your Room

On Thursdays, the Lobby Bar is known as Riga Jazz Lounge – a popular venue renowned for the quality of its acoustics and piano. Swing by from 8pm to 10pm to enjoy an evening in the company of local and international jazz performers. Sit back, savor the music and a little something from the exciting menu of global hits like bouillabaisse, steaks, burgers, and poke bowls.

Riga Jazz Lounge also welcomes Jazz Room Fest events. This year-round festival founded by local music legend Deniss Pashkevich runs monthly programs. The next concert to take place at Radisson Blu Latvija will be in August 2024 and promises a star-studded line up. Follow us to be the first to know who'll take to the stage!

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Looking to Explore More of the Riga Jazz Scene?

A mere stone's throw from the Radisson Blu Latvija is The Botanist – a restaurant and cocktail bar focused on health and sustainability, growing some of its ingredients on site. Its green, garden-inspired space provides a luscious setting for jazz concerts, which it hosts on a regular basis.

Five minutes from there is WCMW, which calls itself a “listening bar”. Not only does this trendy bar serve specialty coffee and Japanese whisky, but also live music, running a regular concert program. As the place is founded by specialists in audio tech, you can be sure of the quality acoustics! Also close to the Radisson Blu Latvija is Blues House, a vast subterranean bar and club with a brilliant menu of food, drinks, and sounds. They have space to dance too!

Just a bit further away, Jazz Room Fest events often take place at Rocket Bean Roastery – a third wave coffee shop and roastery on Miera iela, a Riga street often referred to as “bohemian” and a “hipsters' paradise”.

The nearby M/Darbnīca comes highly recommended by DownBeat – the American magazine dedicated to “jazz, blues and beyond”. The ground floor houses a trendy bar open till late at night, while the artsy second floor space gathers emerging and established musicians for jams and performances.

In another part of the city, next to the foodie paradise of Riga Central Market, is the Spīķeri Concert Hall. Every once in a while, the space transforms into the Radio SWH Jazz Club. Each event welcomes different performers, hosted by one of the DJs of the locally popular radio station. Along with enjoying the music, guests get to indulge in light refreshments by a renowned chef.

Brief History of the Riga Jazz Scene

Riga has long had a love affair with jazz. In the 1920s, a prime time in the city’s history, its culture-loving, party-going residents welcomed the first jazz concert by a touring band from the United States, and the first local jazz bands started to appear. Miraculously, the local jazz tradition made it through the war and subsequent occupation, adapting as a reflection of the resilience of the Latvian people. Already in the 1960s, the first jazz clubs and festivals began to appear.

Today, two major events on jazz lovers’ calendars are the Rīgas Ritmi festival and Saulkrasti Jazz in a charming coastal resort easily accessible from the capital. Both take place in July.

Discover Riga

There's plenty to do year-round in Riga, but visiting during the summer offers a feast for your senses with its vibrant parks, stunning architecture, and rich cultural experiences. This northern European city is renowned for its Michelin-starred cuisine and lively atmosphere. Make the centrally located Radisson Blu Latvija Conference & Spa Hotel your base, and you'll find many of the city's best attractions within walking distance.

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Radisson Blu Latvija Conference & Spa Hotel, Riga - Exterior View

Whether you’re visiting for a festival or exploring Riga’s vibrant jazz scene year-round, the city offers a captivating blend of historical charm and modern sophistication. Don't miss the opportunity to experience the lively ambiance of Riga Jazz Lounge at the Radisson Blu Latvija Conference & Spa Hotel on a Thursday night for an unforgettable evening of music.

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Related tags: Europe & CIS , Latvia , Riga , Radisson Blu Latvija Conference & Spa Hotel, Riga

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Jazz up Your Holidays in Riga

An Exquisite Evening of Jazz Mere Minutes from Your Room

Looking to Explore More of the Riga Jazz Scene?

Brief History of the Riga Jazz Scene

Discover Riga