The Small Guild mainly acts as a concert and events venue for all happenings, including balls, conferences, and film screenings, which are the main opportunities to see inside. Walking tours of Riga are likely only to point out the building and its larger neighbor, the Great Guild, before moving on. After admiring the small guild’s Gothic features, go to the nearby Cat House, a contemporary building with an equally distinctive style and a legend behind its iconic twin cat sculptures.
While tours of the building were often in the past, they are no longer available.
In summer, there are outdoor seating areas for cafes and restaurants on Līvu Square, some of which offer great views of the building.
There are poster boards in the small courtyard in front of the building to help determine what upcoming events are being held at the venue.
As the Small Guild is located just off the beautiful Līvu Square in the middle of Riga’s Old Town, most visitors will find walking the simplest way to reach it. Even if you come by tram and alight at the Nacionālā opera tram stop, you’ll need to walk for five minutes to get to the Small Guild.
Viewing the Small Guild from the outside can be done anytime, day or night. That said, expect the light in the afternoon to be unfavorable for taking photos, whereas going at night lets you see its detailed façade illuminated to great effect. Spring and summer are pleasant times to visit as Līvu Square bursts with greenery and color.
Līvu Square is one of the main squares in the historical center of Riga, and the Small Guild is one of several cultural centers on the square. The Great Guild, across from the Small Guild, is another concert hall that hosts the Latvian Philharmonic. On the square’s south side, you’ll find the Mikhail Chekhov Riga Russian Theatre, the oldest Russian professional theater outside Russia.
