Just step of the busy Brivibas street into the quiet area of Skolas street you will find this performing arts venue, café and music/social place with a funky name of “Kaņepes Kultūras Centrs” (“Cannabis Culture Centre”) or KKC as it’s called short by locals.

Located in a building that was built back in year 1895 by the architect Rudolph Heinrich Zirkwitz, it was first inhabited by Baltic German and Russian aristocrats, then was taken over by bohemian artists and students of the Arts Academy and Riga Technical University (RTU) during the times of First Republic, and finally became a home for thousands of children – students of the “Jāzepa Mediņa Music School”.

After a bit of a refurbishment, “Kaņepes Kultūras Centrs” opened its doors to a general public, with the help of many activists including Gundega Laiviņa, director of the “Latvian New Theatre Institute” and Claus Grīnbergs who organized the first exhibition “Staro Orfejs” (“Shine, Orpheus”). There is good cooperation with Zaiga Gaile, who closely looks after the artistic values of the building in preservation of the authentic aura.

Restoration of this very special house where music, different cultures and art flow in harmony is still in progress. Kaņepes Kultūras centrs has already got a new concert hall, cosy kitchen, summer open-air terrace and a meeting place. Its usual guests are local hipsters and Riga creative class of 17-35.

In terms of drinks, you can get a variety of local and french ciders and good local beers. Prices are very democratic with brews like “Piebalgas” costing around 2 EUR or slightly pricier “Valmiermuižas” beer for around 3 EUR. Teas and cofees prices range around 1.5 EUR.

In general, this is a great place to hang out in the middle of Riga town centre with an interesting crowd. It is open all time, however most of the interesting stuff (concerts, exhibitions, markets) is happening mainly over warmer spring/summer periods.

Venue hire (upstairs / downstairs) is available as an option too.

Calendar of events

Contacts

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Zoo.KKc
Twitter: www.twitter.com/KanepesKC
E-mail: kultura@kanepes.lv
E-mail: info@kanepes.lv

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Kaņepes Kultūras Centrs (KKC)

Kaņepes Kultūras Centrs (KKC)

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