What The Thirsty Bulldog Is
The Thirsty Bulldog opened in 2022 inside a restored 18th century warehouse on a cobbled square off Audēju iela. It stocks 13 taps, more than 50 bottled craft beers, and over 100 spirits.
Tripadvisor scores it 4.8 and ranks it in the top tenth of Riga restaurants. For a two year old sports pub that is the fastest climb in the Old Town.
Premier League, Champions League, Six Nations, and NFL all run on the screens. The schedule is the menu.
Reading the Room
Wood everywhere: a long bar, high tables, and restored ceiling beams that In Your Pocket credits to local craftsmanship. Screens cover every angle without turning the room into a betting shop.
The cobblestone terrace opens April 1 and doubles the capacity. In Your Pocket also swears these are some of the best toilets it has seen at a sports bar. Noted.
What to Order
Inside The Thirsty Bulldog
Who Shows Up, and When
Expats, traveling fans, and local regulars who want English language sport with their pint. Kickoff times set the tide.
Weekends open at 2pm for the afternoon fixtures and run to 2am. Dogs get a water bowl; their owners get the long bar.
What Regulars Say
- "Great Sports bar in Riga Old Town," per a 2023 Tripadvisor review, one of dozens in the same key.
- In Your Pocket's editors found everything a sports lover and dedicated imbiber could want, from Premiership matches to NFL games and a worldwide beer list.
- The 4.8 Tripadvisor average has held since opening, rare for a screen room.
Who It Is For
- Anyone in Riga on a match day. This is the room.
- Groups that need wings, taps, and table space within a five minute Old Town walk.
- Avoid if you came for Latvian atmosphere. For that, cross the square to a cellar pub.
Before You Go
Vecpilsētas iela 8a hides on a small square just off Audēju iela, four minutes from St Peter's Church. Big fixtures fill the screens side early; arrive half an hour before kickoff.
Scout the alternatives on our Riga sports bar list or the Vecrīga guide.
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