EBG Rating: 7.5/10

Choice/Quality of Drinks:
❤️❤️❤️❤️
Tap beers are middling and the prices a little above what they ought to be, but a fridge of Latvian craft ale alternatives is available, as is Mead.

Style/Décor:
❤️❤️❤️❤️
What looks to be converted retail space on the corner of an intersection, you’ll find a one-room bar decorated relatively tastefully with Nordic mythology (if such a thing can be managed, they’ve done it). Warm and cosy heating inside in winter.

Atmosphere/Character:
❤️❤️❤️❤️
Clear local social scene that is not being supplemented by a strong contingent of tourists and internationals which is nice to see, though a warm welcome quickly assuaged any hint of cliqueyness or hostility. A friendly bar.

Amenities/Events:
❤️❤️❤️❤️
Novuss table, snacks, limited outdoor space, occasional cultural events.

Value For Money:
❤️❤️
Prices a little high versus the corresponding quality.

Description:
When you think of Baltic nightlife, you imagine three countries whose bars lean into heavy metal and punk culture. Perhaps for a time in the 1990s and 00s this was correct, but spin on to the 2020s and beyond, and they’re more thin on the ground than you may think.

Ugunsvija is actually a relatively recent opening in 2025, themed with Nordic mythology and weaponry, with the soundtrack to boot. The owners are so far into the subject matter they arrange talks on local history, the iron age, weapontry and clothing, etc.

However, to torture a metaphor, this is not used to beat you around the head with!

Instead its a fairly inclusive social hangout where you can chat, play games, have a drink. For now, it has a predominantly Latvian audience too, impressive in a city that struggles to fill any bar without a contingent of internationals and visitors.

A warm welcome and decent, if unspectacular environment put me at ease while the new fittings certainly add a necessary colour. What particularly stood out was the casual and approachable nature of the place.

Tap beers are middling and the prices a little above what they ought to be, but a fridge of alternatives is available, and does the job.

(Added April 2026)