Taka
Taka is a pocket-sized cocktail bar on Miera iela 10 that punches well above its weight. The space seats roughly 30 people at a mix of small tables and the bar itself. The interior is dark, minimal, and focused entirely on the drinks. The menu changes seasonally, with each iteration built around a theme or set of ingredients that the bartenders develop over weeks of testing. Local Latvian ingredients appear regularly: forest mushroom infusions, caraway-spiced spirits, lingonberry syrups. The classics are available but not on the printed menu; ask for anything and the team will make it. Service is personal in a space this small. The bartenders know most regulars by name and treat new faces with genuine curiosity. Taka doesn't have a kitchen, but they'll point you to food options on the street. The bar opened in 2018 and quickly became the place where Riga's bartending community drinks on their nights off.
What to Expect
A small, dark room where the bar takes up a third of the space. Candles on tables, bottles lined on shelves, and a bartender who makes eye contact and asks what you're in the mood for. Intimate in the best sense.
Intimate, focused, and quietly confident. The bar equivalent of a whispered recommendation.
Low-volume vinyl selections. Jazz, soul, downtempo electronic. Music supports the mood without demanding attention.
Casual smart. The locals dress with understated style, but nobody will look twice at clean jeans and a decent shirt.
Cocktail enthusiasts, date nights, and anyone who appreciates a small bar where the craft matters more than the scene.
Cards and cash accepted. EUR only.
Price Range
Cocktails 8-12 EUR, wine 5-8 EUR, beer 3.50-4.50 EUR
Cocktails ~$9-13, wine ~$5-9, beer ~$4-5
Hours
Tue-Thu 18:00-00:00, Fri-Sat 18:00-02:00, closed Sun-Mon
Insider Tip
Sit at the bar for the best experience. Tell the bartender what spirits you like and let them choose for you. The seasonal specials are always more interesting than ordering off-menu classics. Come early on Fridays; the space fills by 9 PM.
Full Review
Taka is the bar that Riga's cocktail scene needed to take itself seriously. The space on Miera iela is small enough that filling it to capacity still only means 30-odd people. This limitation is the point. The bartenders can give every customer attention, adjust drinks to preference, and maintain the quality that bigger operations can't match.
The seasonal menu is where the creativity shows. Each rotation brings four to six new drinks built around a concept. A winter menu might explore smoked and aged spirits with warm spice notes. A summer version might lean on fermented fruits and botanical infusions. The execution is precise without being clinical; these are drinks that taste like someone cared about making them, not like they were engineered.
The staff know their product deeply. Ask about a spirit on the shelf and you'll get its story, not a sales pitch. Request a classic cocktail that's not on the seasonal menu and it'll arrive correctly made. Suggest a modification and they'll either accommodate or explain why the original works better. This level of service comes naturally in a small room where every interaction is face-to-face.
Taka's limitation is its size. On popular nights, you may not get a seat, and standing room barely exists. There's no reservations system. The solution is arriving early or trying a Tuesday or Wednesday when the crowd is thinner and the bartenders have even more time to talk. Pair Taka with dinner at one of the restaurants on Miera iela for a complete evening that costs half of what you'd spend in a Vecriga cocktail bar of lesser quality.
The Neighborhood
Taka sits on Miera iela itself, surrounded by cafes, record shops, and other small bars. Chomsky is a few minutes' walk north, Aleponija is nearby, and Kanepes Kulturas centrs is a short walk south on Skolas iela. The street has a natural flow that encourages moving between spots.
Getting There
Miera iela 10. A 15-minute walk from Vecriga heading north through the Quiet Centre. Tram stops on Brivibas iela are a 5-minute walk west. Bolt from Old Town costs 3-4 EUR.
Other Venues in Miera iela
Kanepes Kulturas centrs
Cultural center and bar in a converted wooden house. Hosts DJ nights, art exhibitions, film screenings, and eclectic events. The backyard garden is legendary in summer.
Chomsky
Neighborhood bar with a political edge, named after the linguist. Cheap beer, vinyl DJs on weekends, and a crowd that leans young and creative.
Aleponija
Craft beer bar specializing in Latvian and Baltic microbreweries. Rotating tap list of 12-plus beers and a knowledgeable staff.
Autentika
Wine and cocktail lounge with an art gallery aesthetic. Curated natural wine selection and small plates in a calm, stylish setting.
Aristids
Live music bar and cultural space hosting jazz, folk, and experimental acts. Small stage, great acoustics, and a crowd that comes for the music.
Ziemelis
Corner bar with a focus on Nordic and Baltic spirits. Gin-heavy cocktail menu, simple food, and a mixed crowd of locals and neighborhood regulars.