Riga boasts a vibrant nightlife. The modern Skyline Bar on the 26th floor of the Reval Hotel Latvija (Elizabetes 55, 777 2222, www.revalhotels.com) has magnificent views over Riga. The hotel’s Tower Voodoo Casino (777 2285, www.tower.lv) is also one of the best in the city. In more traditional surroundings, the cosy cellar bar Rigas Balzams (Torna iela 4, 721 4494) is the place to find out if the famous black herbal elixir after which it’s named is medicinal or not – and the food’s pretty decent too. After midnight closing, head to Cetri balti krekli (Vecpilsetas 12, 721 3885), where live rock and folk is enjoyed by a dressed-up local crowd. La Rocca (Brivibas 96, 750 6030, www.larocca.lv, closed Mon-Wed) is the biggest all-night house and techno dance space going, while Pulkvedim Neviens Neraksta (Peldu 26-28, 721 3886) is a trendy bar-nightclub with an industrial feel. For those seeking a gentler pace, the Latvian National Opera (Aspazijas bulvaris 3, 707 3777, www.opera.lv) has high standards and low prices and the neighbouring Kolonade Café (Brivibas 26, 722 3504) has a wonderful garden terrace.

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