The Riga Tourism Development Bureau, in cooperation with the organizers of the Festival of Light “Staro Rīga”, presents a “Cafes of Light” route this winter. This walking route will commence during the Festival of Light and continue until the 1st March, 2011. During this time, Riga residents and guests will be invited to visit cafes and restaurants featuring light installations initiated by the restaurants themselves.
“Staro Rīga” (Beaming Riga) – is a festival of light lasting several days. The exhibits transform the cityscape by applying the latest in lighting and video technology to different objects at various locations. The works of art are buildings, squares, bridges, monuments, and other parts of the urban environment. These can be appreciated both up close and from afar, as part of the cityscape as a whole. These works of art in light are supplemented by performances, musical and theatrical events, and the interactive involvement of the audience. The Festival of Light “Staro Rīga” will take place from the 17th to the 20th November 2011.
“Teātra bāra restorāns”, Lāčplēša Street 25,
“Eternal Customer” light installation in the New Rīga Theatre courtyard
A restaurant table has been placed in the New Rīga Theatre courtyard on the terrace of the “Teātra bāra restorāns” at which the lonely eternal customer, who never leaves his place sits. The contours of the table, chair and dummy are outlined with luminescent colours which reflect ultraviolet light.
“I Love You ” Bar, Aldaru Street 9
“At the Indie Disco” light installation
The “I Love You” Bar is a musical spot for relaxation, which also has its own “disco ball” placed outside, entertaining the viewers on the street, lighting it up so that the reflections play on the darkest parts of the building facades making the city more entertaining and playful. “At the Indie Disco” is the name of the “Divine Comedy” English group’s song and characterizes the bar itself and the lighting project.
“Dorian Gray” Restaurant/Bar, Mazā muzeja Street 1-1
“Adminis” light object ensemble
In working on this project, the artist has analyzed such concepts as “freedom” and “space”, exploring the terms “harmony”, “symbiosis”, “commutator”.
“Le Dome” Fish Restaurant, Miesnieku Street 4
“Once on the sea shore…” light installation
The building façade is covered with a net in which the flitters and mirrors caught in it sparkle and glitter from the lights all around them, creating the illusion of the sea shore in the moonlight.
“TAKA” Cafe, Miera Street 10
“Blizzard” light installation
As part of the “Staro Rīga” Festival, there will be a sparkling blizzard in the windows of the “TAKA” Café, creating a storybook city.
“Konventa sēta” Hotel, Kalēju Street 9/11
“Beaming Spotted Dove” light installation
The building façade will be illuminated with colour and light games in turn, at the “Konventa sēta” Hotel’s entrance arch and in the entrance to the “Raibais balodis” Restaurant.
“Coco Loco”, Pēterbaznīcas Street 17
Interactive light projection
Performance with light fittings, in which visitors on a leisurely walk along the Vecrīga cobblestones can discover the unexpected and illuminated brightly coloured Jamaica Bar – Restaurant’s “CocoLoco” facade, as well as seeing the reflections of these lights in the windows and leadlight of St. Peter’s Church. Throughout the project visitors will be offered the opportunity to taste Jamaican hot wine prepared from white wine, spices and ginger.
“Pie Humberta” Book Shop, café and reading room, at Bergs Bazaar, Marijas Street 13. k.2
“Enlightenment” video animation
On the screens placed in the windows of “Pie Humberta” Book Shop, passers-by will be addressed by prominent writers’, poets’ and litterateurs’ statements, facts about their lives and quotes, documentary video clips from a variety of world famous writers’ interviews, poetry readings and fragments from documentaries.
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“Teātra bāra restorāns”, Lāčplēša Street 25, New Rīga Theatre courtyard
M, T, W, T, F, S, Su: 11:00 – 23:30
The “Teātra Bāra restorāns” is like a mirror of Rīga cultural life, as actors, artists, journalists, and the intelligentsia gladly gather here for the friendly atmosphere and the comfortable interior, in which modern minimalism and decadent splendour are combined. The menu offers meals for every taste – vegetarian food and a wide choice of soups.
“I Love You” Bar, Aldaru Street 9
M, T, W: 16:00 – 00…
T, F, S: 16:00 – 01:00
Su: CLOSED
A place where one’s favourite music is played by the local DJ’s. “I Love You” is especially favoured by musicians and over the years “Kings of Conveniece”, “Mum” and “Sigur Ros” have held huge parties at the bar. A place for those who are seeking an alternative to the usual pop music noise in Vecrīga!
“Dorian Gray” Restaurant/Bar, Mazā muzeja Street 1-1
M, T, W, T, F, S, Su: 12:00 – 01:00
“Dorian Gray” Mini Restaurant/Bar hopes to introduce new trends in Rīga’s bar/ restaurant culture. Among these we can mention the fashion and art event “Fashion in the bar” and the “Cinema Brunch” event for cinema lovers on Tuesday evenings. The “Dorian Gray” Restaurant’s menu will surprise guests with taste combinations never before tried, local produce, as well as with attractive European cuisine. The Restaurant chef’s special offer for Festival of Light guests – “Staro Rīga” (main meal +dessert +glass of wine) 7.00 Ls, Dorian Gray hot drink “Alan Campbell” 2.50 Ls
“Le Dome” Fish Restaurant, Miesnieku Street 4
M, T, W, T, F, S, Su: 07:00 – 23:00
The Fish Restaurant offers a delicious selection of Baltic fish, which are prepared to chef Alekss Žiļuks’ special recipes! Obviously the chef always thinks about meat lovers and vegetarians as well. It’s a restaurant with character – full of energy in the morning, full of business ideas during the day, but in the evenings romantic and gentle!
“TAKA” Cafe, Miera Street 10
M, T, W, T, F: 16:00 – 01:00
S: 14:00 – 01:00
Su: CLOSED
“TAKA” – a place for gastronomic and cultural enjoyment. Along with delicious, vegetarian food it is possible to enjoy poetry events, instrumental concerts, theatrical performances, exhibitions and audio-visual presentations. Special offer – home made apple mulled wine.
“Konventa sēta” Hotel, Kalēju Street 9/11
M, T, W, T, F, S, Su: 12:00 – 22:00
“Konventa sēta” Hotel building complex, tourism object. The “Raibais Balodis” Restaurant is located in one of the buildings.
“Coco Loco”, Pēterbaznīcas Street 17
M, T, W, T, F, S, Su: 11:00 – 05:00
The “Coco Loco” Jamaica Bar, restaurant and nightclub offers all visitors the opportunity to taste the taste of the Jamaican sun right here – in Vecrīga, next to St. Peter’s Church. The Jamaica Bar – Restaurant opens its doors at 11.00 and operates until 22, when the DJ’s arrive and transform both floors of the comfortable “CocoLoco” into a nightclub and entertain visitors until sun up with reggae, funk, ska, Balkan and other styles of music.
“Pie Humberta” Book Shop, café and reading room, Bergs Bazaar, Marijas Street 13 k.2
M, T, W, T: 11:00 – 22:00
F, S: 11:00 – 01:00
Su: 12:00 – 17:00
“Pie Humberta” is a book shop, reading room and buffet. In setting up “Pie Humberta” we have tried to create a place where we would feel good ourselves and, so that the books, reading and everything around it is made more accessible, tangible and pleasant, to create an interest in people and to enhance the pleasure of reading in good company.
