What Splendid Palace does

Splendid Palace is a historic cinema and cultural venue in Riga, Latvia, founded in 1923 and owned by the municipal company SIA "Rīgas nami" (Riga City Council). It operates as a multi-purpose cultural facility offering arthouse and European cinema screenings, live opera broadcasts, outdoor summer cinema under the Splendid Garden sub-brand, and venue rental across five distinct spaces — Lielā zāle (566 seats including 149 balcony), Straumes zāle/Mazā zāle (206 seats), Versailles zāle, Zaļā zāle, and Gallery/Vestibils, with combined event capacity of up to 770 guests. The venue serves diverse customer segments including local and tourist cinema enthusiasts, educational institutions (school programs and the Jauniešu Kino Akadēmija youth academy for ages 15-25), corporate and event clients, and the international film industry for premieres and festivals.

The technology stack is conventional: 35mm and digital film projection with Dolby Digital sound, dual-channel simultaneous translation for international events, and reserved-seating online ticketing via its own website and third-party platform bilesuparadize.lv. The 1923 Neo-Baroque façade and Neo-Rococo interior are recognized architectural monuments, and the cinema was included in the European Film Academy's European Cinema Treasures list in 2026 alongside only 69 other European heritage sites.

The business model combines multiple revenue streams: primary ticket sales for screenings, venue rental (corporate events, conferences, celebrations, concerts), an annual Youth Cinema Academy subscription at €4.50 per film, gift cards, private cinema screening packages, professional photography session rentals at €85 per hour, and guided tours in Latvian and English. Distribution is direct-to-consumer through box office, the company website, and third-party ticketing platforms, supplemented by partnerships with cultural institutions (Europa Cinemas since 1994, Art Cinema CICAE since 2007, European Film Academy, Nacionālais Kino centrs) and foreign embassies (Italian, French) for programming. Marketing operates through website content, email newsletter, social media (Facebook, Instagram), seasonal events, and cultural institution partnerships. The cinema received the Europa Cinemas Best Program Award in 2021.

Name

Splendid Palace

Legal name

SIA "Rīgas nami"

Website

https://www.splendidpalace.lv

Company type

Private

Founded year

1923

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Splendid Palace is a historic 1923 cinema and cultural venue in Riga, Latvia, owned by municipal firm SIA Rīgas nami, offering arthouse film screenings, outdoor summer cinema, venue rentals, and educational programs to cinema enthusiasts, corporate clients, schools, and tourists.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cinema and Cultural Venue Services

NAICS

Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (7121), Historical Sites (71212)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture Theaters (7830)

akta.pro primary industry

Iconic Architecture & Signature Buildings (Cathedrals, Palaces, Castles) (THAJACAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Specialty & Historic Venues (Landmarks, Estates) (THAHAAAK)

Keywords

• Historic cinema venue
• Arthouse film screenings
• Event space rental
• Outdoor cinema programming
• Cultural venue services

Headquarters

HQ city

Riga

HQ country

Latvia

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Photography Sessions: Rental of historic cinema spaces for professional photography sessions at €85/hour.
2. Guided Tours: Guided tours of the historic cinema building combined with short film screenings, available in Latvian and English.
3. Youth Cinema Academy Membership: Annual membership program for 15-25 year olds providing discounted cinema access at €4.50 per film.
4. Gift Cards and Private Screenings: Sale of gift cards and private cinema screening packages for events and celebrations.
5. Ticket Sales: Primary revenue stream from cinema screenings, special events, and live broadcasts. Ticket prices vary by screening type, with standard prices and discounts for students, seniors, and special categories.
6. Venue Rental: Rental of cinema spaces including Lielā zāle (566 seats), Mazā zāle (206 seats), Versailles zāle (88 sqm, up to 100 guests), Zaļā zāle (93 sqm), and Gallery/Vestibils for events, conferences, corporate functions, concerts, and celebrations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Splendid Palace is a historic cinema and cultural venue in Riga, Latvia, operating since 1923. It offers art house and European film screenings across multiple halls (Lielā zāle, Straumes zāle), an outdoor summer cinema (Splendid Garden), opera live broadcasts, and venue rental for corporate events, conferences, concerts, and celebrations. Additional services include guided architectural tours, private screenings, gift cards, a youth cinema academy membership program, and professional photography sessions in the historic Art Nouveau and Neo-Rococo interiors.

Product overview

Splendid Palace is a historic cinema theater in Riga, Latvia, operating since 1923. The offering consists of regular film screenings across multiple halls (Lielā zāle, Straumes zāle), outdoor cinema (Splendid Garden), live opera broadcasts, and venue rental services. The cinema operates as a multi-venue facility with spaces for conferences, events, and celebrations. Additional services include guided tours, cinema history exhibitions, photo sessions, private screenings, gift cards, and a Youth Cinema Academy membership program. The theater features Neo-Baroque and Neo-Rococo interiors and is recognized as an architectural monument.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Splendid Garden: Open-air cinema terrace program operating in summer months in the cinema's courtyard, featuring classic and contemporary films under the stars.
• Jauniešu Kino Akadēmija (Youth Cinema Academy)

Products and services

• Film Screenings (Kino seansi) Regular film screenings across multiple cinema halls (Lielā zāle, Straumes zāle) featuring art house films, European cinema, and acclaimed world films for general audiences and cultural cinema enthusiasts.
• Splendid Garden Outdoor Cinema Outdoor summer cinema experience in the theater's courtyard featuring themed seasonal film programs including French cinema classics, contemporary European films, and special retrospectives screened under the open sky.
• Lielā zāle (Grand Hall) Venue Rental Main cinema hall with 571 sqm area and 566-seat capacity (including 149 balcony seats), featuring elegant rococo interior. Suitable for conferences, corporate events, graduations, concerts, and theater performances.
• Straumes zāle (Small Hall) Venue Rental Small hall with 315 sqm area and capacity for 206 guests, equipped with Dolby Digital sound and multimedia capabilities. Suitable for seminars, conferences, and presentations.
• Versaļas zāle Venue Rental 88 sqm event space on the first floor, suitable for small events, press conferences, coffee breaks, and banquets. Capacity up to 100 standing or 50 seated guests.
• Zaļā zāle Venue Rental 93 sqm space on the second floor before the Grand Hall balcony. Suitable for small events, coffee breaks, banquets, photo sessions, and press conferences.
• Galerija/Vestibils Venue Rental 170 sqm entrance hall on the first floor, suitable for coffee breaks, banquets, guest reception and registration. Capacity up to 250 standing or 50 seated guests.
• Private Cinema Screening (Privāts seanss) Private cinema screening service where customers can reserve the entire cinema for exclusive viewings, suitable for private events and celebrations.
• Guided Tours (Ekskursijas) Guided tours of the cinema's history, architecture, and behind-the-scenes areas, available in Latvian and English, often combined with short film screenings.
• Gift Cards (Dāvanu karte) Gift cards for cinema visits, valid for regular screenings and private screenings, available for purchase as a one-time product.
• Youth Cinema Academy Membership (Jauniešu Kino Akadēmija) Annual membership program for viewers aged 15-25, offering discounted admission to films at EUR 4.50 per film, excluding special events, premieres, opera, and theater.
• Photo Sessions in Cinema (Fotosesijas kinoteātrī) Professional photo sessions in the cinema's elegant Art Nouveau and Neo-Rococo interiors, priced at EUR 85 per hour (photographer not included).
• Children's Birthday Parties (Bērnu ballītes) Special birthday party packages for children hosted in the cinema setting, providing a unique entertainment venue for kids' celebrations.
• Opera Live Broadcasts (Operu tiešraides) Live broadcasts and recordings from the world's most famous opera houses, screened at the cinema for audiences to enjoy opera performances on the big screen.

Quantifiable outcome

• 35 outdoor cinema screenings per summer season, typically sold out
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ACME FilmcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2026Film distribution partner for Latvian theatrical releases screened at Splendid Palace.
• European Film AcademycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Inclusion of Splendid Palace in European Cinema Treasures list recognizing venue's cultural significance. Plaque unveiling ceremony held with EFA representatives in August 2026.
• Nacionālais Kino centrs (NKC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Co-organizer of annual 4. May Latvian Film Marathon held at Splendid Palace since 2005. Partnership for showcasing Latvian cinema heritage and promoting national film culture.
• A-one FilmscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2026Film distribution partner for international arthouse and European films screened at Splendid Palace.
• Francijas institūts Latvijā (France Institute Latvia)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Collaboration on Splendid Garden outdoor cinema program featuring French cinema classics and contemporary films dedicated to French cinema and women in film. Includes French cuisine pairings.
• Itālijas vēstniecība Latvijā (Italian Embassy in Latvia)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Partnership for Paolo Sorrentino film retrospective screening four films including 'La Grande Bellezza'. Italian ambassador Alessandro Monti participated in event promotion.
• Vīna Studija SplendidminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Wine pairing partner for Splendid Garden outdoor cinema events, providing French-inspired food and wine offerings during summer screenings.
• X TAXIminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Transportation partner supporting Splendid Garden outdoor cinema events.
• Crème de la CrèmeminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Sponsorship support for Splendid Garden outdoor cinema summer programming.
• Art Cinema CICAEcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2007International Confederation of Art Cinemas. Splendid Palace member since 2007, providing access to art cinema network resources, programming support, and industry connections.
• Europa CinemascoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1994International network of arthouse cinemas. Splendid Palace member since 1994, enabling access to European film programming, festivals, and cinema exchange programs. Europa Cinemas supports quality European cinema exhibition.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Kino Bize: Arthouse cinema in Riga, Latvia — directly competes with Splendid Palace for local arthouse audiences, European cinema programming, and cultural event attendees in the same city and Latvian market.
• Le Champo: Historic Paris arthouse cinema operating since 1938, similarly focused on European art cinema, retrospectives, and curated cultural programming — a directly comparable heritage arthouse model.
• Gartenbaukino: Historic Vienna cinema in a heritage-protected Jugendstil building, programming European arthouse and festival films, hosting cultural events and premieres — directly comparable heritage arthouse cinema with event venue operations.
• Kino International: Iconic 1960s-era Berlin cinema with protected architectural status, specializing in arthouse and European cinema programming — comparable as a heritage cinema venue with cultural programming focus.
• Prince Charles Cinema: London independent heritage cinema offering repertory, arthouse, cult, and mainstream programming across multiple screens — comparable as an iconic cultural cinema with strong brand recognition.
• The Ritzy Picturehouse: Historic Brixton cinema (one of London's oldest purpose-built cinemas) operating as part of Picturehouse arthouse chain — comparable heritage cinema with curated programming and event/cultural programming.
• Regent Street Cinema: London's oldest cinema (opened 1848/1911 in current form), heritage-protected venue operating as independent arthouse and event cinema — directly comparable as a heritage cinematic landmark.
• Film Forum: Independent nonprofit arthouse cinema in New York with three screens, focused on repertory, foreign, and independent cinema — comparable as a mission-driven heritage arthouse programming institution.

Broad incumbents

• Forum Cinemas: Largest multiplex cinema chain in the Baltic States — competes broadly for cinema audiences in Riga with commercial mainstream programming, contrasting with Splendid Palace's curated arthouse model.

Regional players

• Coca-Cola Plaza: Modern Tallinn cinema and event venue with multiple screens and IMAX — comparable as a Baltic-region cinema and event venue operator, though more commercially focused and outside Latvia.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Kino_Splendid
• Facebookfacebook.com/KinoSplendidPalace

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Splendid Palace