Battle of the Bands/Venice
Jun 4th, 2008 | 07:26 PM
#1
Original Poster
Joined: Feb 2007
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Battle of the Bands/Venice
Can someone tell me more about the Battle of the Bands in San Marks Square? I keep reading that this is a must-do. Is this the orchestra's at the Florian Cafe and the other one (I'm forgetting the name) across the square or what??? What time does this get started and how long does it last, etc? Thanks 
Melissa
Melissa
Jun 4th, 2008 | 07:41 PM
#2
Joined: Jan 2003
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For me, a drink at Cafe Florian is an an absolute must. We just got home from our third trip there, and sat out under the stars two nights.
This time, though, the second night had a huge damper on it. My husband bit into the pretzel/nut mix, and bit into an olive pit! It was totally gross, considering there were no olives in it. This means that someone had spit an olive pit into the mix, then they re-served it to us.
My husband was upset, the waiter said they called the mgr, and they apologized. Needless to say, we were not charged for our drinks. But it still was unsettling.
There is a very large crowd who go back and forth between the orchestra across the piazza and Cafe Florian. But sitting there under the stars and listening to the orchestras is truly a magical experience-----if not for the olive pits!
This time, though, the second night had a huge damper on it. My husband bit into the pretzel/nut mix, and bit into an olive pit! It was totally gross, considering there were no olives in it. This means that someone had spit an olive pit into the mix, then they re-served it to us.
My husband was upset, the waiter said they called the mgr, and they apologized. Needless to say, we were not charged for our drinks. But it still was unsettling.
There is a very large crowd who go back and forth between the orchestra across the piazza and Cafe Florian. But sitting there under the stars and listening to the orchestras is truly a magical experience-----if not for the olive pits!
Jun 5th, 2008 | 07:37 AM
#5
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,991
Likes: 6
Just to clarify, to me it wasn't really a "battle" per se. There are three bands playing at three restaurants/cafes within the same area. But it's not like they purposely out-do each other. It's just going on at the same time (at least when I was there). There's no formal competition, other than to get you to sit there and have a drink at their spot.
But I would say at least one night sitting there and soaking up the atmosphere is a "must do".
But I would say at least one night sitting there and soaking up the atmosphere is a "must do".
