Gate open
Place where history
meets the future
Kimmel Quarter is a modern urban space where the city meadow and art events meet exceptional drinks and delicious food. The area stands out with its spaciousness, history, and blend of green and industrial zones.
Quarter & History
The Kimmel Quarter is one of the most historically rich areas in the city of Riga. However, before it became home to industrial buildings and the bustle of city life, it was the site of Riga’s place of execution.
Until 1815, the so-called Gallows Hill was located in the Kimmel Quarter. At the top of the hill stood the city’s gallows and a pillory, where in 1677, arsonists connected to the Great Fire of Riga were publicly punished.
This place of execution inspired the names of two city streets – Gallows Street (now Bruņinieku Street) and Pillar Street (now Stabu Street).
In 1815, the first brewery in Riga was established in Old Riga, on Mārstaļu Street. It was founded by entrepreneur P. R. Kymmel. Soon after, the brewery was expanded and modernized – in 1850, it moved to Bruņinieku Street, where a new steam-powered brewery was built and renamed “C. L. Kymmel” in honor of the founder’s son
By the 1920s and 1930s, the “Kymmel” brewery occupied nearly the entire block between Skolas, Bruņinieku, and Krišjānis Valdemārs Streets. The company became one of Latvia’s leading producers of beer and mineral water, gaining prestigious status through its exports.
In 1919, the Latvian Merchants’ Association “Augļu eksports” was founded on the quarter’s premises and was transformed into a joint-stock company in 1921. As production volumes grew, the shareholders decided to purchase the former “Kymmel” brewery, adopting its name as well.
However, “Kymmel” could not avoid the challenges of history. During World War I, its equipment was evacuated to Russia, and in 1941, the brewery was nationalized. After World War II, it was renamed “Riga Brewery,” and later, the “Riga Wine and Beer Combine.” Only after Latvia regained independence in 2001 did the company reclaim its historic name, “Kimmel Riga,” before relocating to Ādaži.
Today, the Kimmel Quarter is well known, as it once housed the popular bars VEST and Autentika – beloved gathering places for locals and visitors alike.
Residents
Kimmel Dzesētava – a place to catch your breath, enjoy good food, and simply be. Our menu changes twice a year – in summer and winter – but one thing always stays the same: we serve what we love to eat.
A bit of everything – salmon toasts and sausages, smoked treats and grilled bites, fresh bread and tapas. At first, it might seem like a mix of everything, but really, it’s like a garden party at your mom’s – warm, simple, and delicious.
Honest food without the fuss. Drinks? All-time favorites that never disappoint.
Dzesētava is your go-to spot to cool off right in the heart of the Kimmel quarter.
Mon – Thu, Sun 11-23 | Fri, Sat 11-05
SMĒDE is where people come together to enjoy life – effortlessly, beautifully, and deliciously. It’s a modern space with soul, where quality meets simple pleasures.
We want our guests to feel relaxed and at ease, while also sensing the care and thought we put into everything. So that when they head home, it’s not just the food and drinks they remember – it’s the feeling.
Our indoor space is still in the works and set to open this autumn – there’s plenty to do, but we’re taking our time to get it just right.
In the meantime, the SMĒDE summer terrace opens at the start of summer, offering:
– comfort food from around the world
– tasty, refreshing cocktails
The goal of the terrace is to bring life to the Kimmel quarter – a place to soak up the rhythm of the city in a laid-back, open-air vibe full of warmth, flavors, and people.
Mon – Thu 17 – 22 | Fri 17-… | Sat 12-… | Sun 12-22
Ink&Tonic Creative Space ✨
Where marketing meets the muses – and the bar counter!
Everyone’s welcome here: families, dream-chasing youth, experienced seniors, introverts, extroverts, and those still figuring it all out.
We’re the place where not fitting in finally means you do.
“Looking for a space where your brain works but stress doesn’t?”
Ink&Tonic isn’t just a creative hub – we’ve got cozy corners where you can write your thesis, build your next big project, or simply get in the zone.
But when the sun goes down, we unleash our inner party animal.
This July, we’re opening our second-floor lounge bar – with an exclusive view over the main stage and the heart of the quarter.
We’ll be serving food that’s as clean as our ideas: no additives, no oils – just pure, natural flavor. Food that feels as good as it tastes.
The Ink&Tonic team is here to make your everyday feel a little more vibrant – all year round.
Mon, Tue, Sun. 11-21 | Wed, Thu 11-01 | Fri, Sat 11-03
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