Fact File: Your Guide to Stag Weekends in Riga
Since 2004 and the arrival of low-cost airlines resulting in cheap flights from cities across Europe such as London, Berlin and Amsterdam, Riga has established itself as one of the hedonistic hubs of the Eastern European party and stag weekend scene. Offering what is widely regarded as some of the best nightlife in the Baltics, Riga gives other stag weekends options such as stag weekends in Budapest and Krakow stag weekends a good run for their money. There's certainly no shortage of opportunities in which to lose your inhibitions.
Riga's reputation as a hotbed of hot beds as well as bar and club culture (with a healthy dash of adult oriented entertainment thrown in for good measure) has led to it rapidly evolving into one of Europe's essential destinations for Stag weekends and partygoers. It's a vibrant, fast-evolving and progressive city with a huge amount to offer from beer halls, clubs, Sports Bars, British and Irish pubs, casinos and gambling halls, live music venues, pool and snooker halls, strip clubs and massage parlours. Navigable on foot, it's all happening in Riga's Old Town, the beer is cold and cheap and the women are English-speaking, beautiful, intelligent and friendly - the perfect combination.
Of course there's plenty more to do than just partying and pulling. Options for visitors are virtually limitless. Relax in one of Riga's trendy bars, explore the old town and take in the finest concentration of Art Nouveau buildings in Europe or visit museums. Spend a night at the opera or attend a classical performance... yeah right.
Daytime thrill seekers might want to try something a little more daredevil and for weekend stag parties there's a wide range of high-octane options. In addition to the normal paintball, go-karting, clay pigeon shooting and quad biking Riga offers some singularly outrageous experiences: get completely legless in a freefall simulator, Bond up in KGB shooting session, explore old ship wrecks in the Baltic, daredevil down an Olympic bobsleigh track (the longest in Europe) or brave an icy snowmobile safari - 'Me Tarzan. You Svetlana.' There's Zorbing, kayaking, bungee jumping, thermal baths and strippers galore!
Though not quite the steal that Riga once was, (the local currency the Lat is tied to the Euro) prices are still competitive - if slightly less enticing than Krakow or Budapest. You'll pay around 2 Lats (£2.5) for an excellent, award-winning beer such as Tērvetes or Piebalgas, which you can enjoy from Skyline bar on the 26th floor of the Hotel Latvija overlooking the Old Town. You'll pay even less in a back street bar. (Cheap places are no more than a pound) As in all major European cities, you're spoilt for choice when it comes to eating out. A decent meal out should set you back less than £10.
As perfect as Riga is for the ultimate stag night weekends you'd be best advised to go through a reputable travel company that can not only arrange airport collection and drop off but organise value for money accommodation, high quality activities and VIP entrance to the hottest nightclubs in town. They'll work hard to maximize your entertainment whist minimizing any potential grief. As with similar style stag weekends in Budapest or Krakow local knowledge can also prove useful in protecting stag parties from some of the less ethical aspects of a night out such as rip off taxi fares, hyper expensive drinks and overly persuasive doormen.
About the Author:
Josey Walker - The Founder & Managing Director of party organisers Stag Republic and Hen Nation. Stag Republic have been organising made-to-measure stag weekends abroad and hen weekends in Eastern Europe since 2000. Recent popular destinations include stag weekends in Riga, Budapest and Krakow. Contacts: Josey Walker Stag Republic Phone: 00 3630 34 99 015 Email: info@stagrepublic.co.uk