Some wedding venues feel beautiful because they have been carefully made to look perfect. Others are beautiful because they have lived a whole life before we ever stepped inside.
Sinagoga kompotè in Kaunas belongs to the second kind.
Hidden among the streets of Žaliakalnis, this former synagogue is full of history, imperfect textures and architectural details that cannot simply be recreated in a newly built venue. Today, the building serves as an event space for weddings, celebrations, photoshoots and cultural events at Vaisių Street 30 in Kaunas.
It is an especially lovely choice for couples who are not dreaming about a traditional countryside manor, a perfectly white ballroom or a wedding that looks exactly like everyone else’s.
A wedding venue with real history
Before becoming an event and creative space, the building was the Žaliakalnis synagogue. It was constructed in the nineteenth century and later experienced several very different chapters of Kaunas history. After the Second World War, it was used as a warehouse, followed by other commercial uses, including a sewing workshop, before eventually standing unused for many years.
The history of the building deserves to be approached thoughtfully and respectfully. This is not simply an interior created around a wedding trend. It is part of Kaunas’ Jewish heritage and a space carrying many layers of memory.
That history is also what gives Sinagoga kompotè its distinctive atmosphere. The main hall is framed by four large columns and features tall arched windows. Instead of covering every trace of age, the interior allows old surfaces, worn textures and original architectural forms to remain visible. interjeras.lt
The result feels grand without being overly polished, artistic without trying too hard and romantic in a beautifully unconventional way.
Who Runs It Now
Sinagoga Kompotè opened as an event space in 2023. Before that the same building was known as Sinagoga Studio and mostly hosted gigs, recordings and creative work.
Today it’s a joint project between the Kaunas restaurant Donelaičio and the flower and decor studio Kvietkos. That combination is useful for you. Food, bar, decor and coordination all come from the same two teams, so you’re not chasing five different suppliers.
The Spaces
The Main Hall
The old prayer hall is the heart of it. High ceiling, columns, those nine arched windows. It fits 80 guests for a seated dinner and 130 for a standing reception.
Round tables and chairs are included in the rental price, and there are enough of them for a full house. There’s also a bar and lighting equipment on site.
The Lounge Zone
A quieter corner for people who want to sit and talk instead of dance. In practice this is where your grandparents will end up around 22:00, and where half your best photos of real conversations will happen.
The Courtyard
Behind the building there’s an enclosed, planted courtyard of about 110 m². It works for an outdoor ceremony, welcome drinks or a summer party under the sky.
One thing to know: the courtyard can’t be booked on its own for a separate event. It comes with the venue.
Prices
Venue rental: €800, plus 21% VAT, so around €968. Round tables and chairs are included.
Venue rental with banquet catering: from €60 per person. That covers snacks, a hot dish and dessert, cooked by restaurant Donelaičio. The €60 per person is also the minimum budget, and the €800 venue fee comes on top.
Decor by Kvietkos: from €500 as a fixed fee. They do the concept, the props and the decor for the whole celebration. Final price depends on what you want.
Overtime: €100 per hour, counted from midnight.
Hourly rental: from €60 per hour if you only need the space for a photoshoot, video shoot, workshop, conference or concert.
Payment: 50% deposit when you book, the rest on the day of the celebration. Cash or bank transfer. The venue says prices can be negotiated, so it’s worth asking.
Cancellation: moving your date to another free date costs €500. There’s no free cancellation, so read the terms before you sign.
The Ceremony
There’s a separate spot on site for a wedding ceremony. This is a bigger deal than it sounds.
It means your guests arrive once, park once and stay put. No convoy of cars between the registry office, the venue and the photo location while everyone slowly gets hungry. Ceremony, dinner and dancing all happen in one place, and your timeline gets much calmer.
What I didn’t expect the first time I saw it was how quickly one room becomes a completely different room.
Here’s how it usually goes. After the ceremony, if the weather is kind, everyone moves out to the courtyard for cocktail hour. Group photos happen out there, people queue up to congratulate you, glasses get refilled. Meanwhile, inside, the team is quietly turning the ceremony space into the party.
The Kvietkos team handle this, and it’s impressive to watch. By the time you walk back in, it doesn’t look like the room you got married in an hour earlier. So if you’re wondering whether one hall can really do ceremony, dinner and dancing without feeling half-finished at every stage, it can.
Food and Drinks
Catering comes from restaurant Donelaičio, on K. Donelaičio g. 66 in Kaunas. European cuisine, good cocktails, a slightly Bauhaus feeling to the place. This is the food your guests will be eating, so it’s worth going there for brunch or dinner before you book. You get to taste it properly, and it makes for a nice evening out in the middle of all the planning.
Two rules matter here:
For some couples this is a dealbreaker, especially if the family already planned to cook. For most, it removes a whole planning headache. Just know it before you fall in love with the room.
Can You Rent Sinagoga Kompotè Just for a Photoshoot?
Yes. You don’t need a wedding to use this space. It rents by the hour from €60, and that covers photoshoots, video shoots, workshops, conferences and concerts.
How Many Guests Fit
House Rules You Should Know
Every venue has a list. Here’s this one, so nothing surprises you before deciding:
Is Sinagoga Kompotè Right for You?
It’s a good fit if you:
It’s probably not for you if you:
Planning your Wedding? Let’s Talk
Hi, I’m Evelina! I photograph weddings for couples who feel a little shy in front of the camera.
If the idea of posing makes you nervous — you’re my person! I know how awkward it can feel, so I’ll never leave you standing there unsure what to do or where to put your hands. Instead, I tailor the whole photoshoot to your personalities, which is the real secret to making it feel effortless. I’ll guide you when you need it, then quietly step back for the moments that take off on their own. My images are warm and full of rich colour, movement, and the quiet moments in between.
Take a look at my portfolio or get in touch straight away. I’d love to hear your story!
