I read about the Dueling orchestras in Rick Steves book. It sounds fun. Is it worth doing? where is the best place to sit? Best Time? Help

Hi, I was just there in May. Yes the dueling mini orchestras (3 of them) are in St Marks Square. There are tables to sit at but you must buy something while you sit there. They have waiters there. We walked there after dinner and listened while we ate our gelatto. We were there about 9 pm.

<i> Is it worth doing? </i>

Yes, I think so. It is rather expensive (marked up prices PLUS a cover charge), but think of it as the price of a ticket for a concert.

<i>Best Time? </i>
After dinner. The orchestras end at midnight.

I didnt pay anything. Unless you are talking about something to drink/eat?

Well, it's not really a formal duel. There are just these orchestras at the bars and they play lots of violinny music all at the same time. But it's a kick, I think.

clifbob,

It is well worth the time. On my last trip to Venice, I would end each night there.

But, IMHO, it is not worth getting a table. I would just wander from band to band. The best thing is St Marks square is not very crowded. That and watching the different couples dance to the music.

Enjoy your trip.

Tom

As karime says you can buy a gelato from the take out window and stand and listen to the music. Sitting at any of the tables is very expensive for food/drink.

We totally overpaid for drinks on our last visit...and loved it! We were at the Caffe Florian. I'd try the competition the next time. The music was a little more up tempo at the other place. It's definitely a splurge, but it was a fun splurge.

We did this last June and loved it.
There were 3 bands, two on one side of the square and one on the other side. We were there about 10Pm and stood and listened for a while and then sat down and ordered a glass of wine. The cover is per person and was 5 Euro. 2 glasses wine about 20 Euro. You don't have to sit, but it was really a great experience and we would do it again when in Venice.
The band to our left was playing &quot;New York, New York&quot; and the one in front of our table played &quot;Con te Partiro&quot; and the bells were chiming at 11 PM.
It is a lot of fun and doesn't cost a dime if you don't want to sit and have a drink or snack.

For those who don't quite understand . . . there are a number of cafes in Piazza San Marco. Three of these cafes have their own small orchestras that play during the day and in the evening. If you choose to sit at a cafe table, you will pay a cover charge for the orchestra as well as a much higher than usual price for any food or beverages. Many find it a memorable experience, no matter the price. Once you have a tale, you can stay as long as you like--some people make an evening of it.

The piazza is quite large, so it's easy to stroll and enjoy the piazza without sitting at a cafe.

Unless something has changed in the last few years, there is not another place to sit except at these cafes other than on the ground or on steps.

We would grab a front table at one of the cafes, order drinks and dessert and watch the tableau before us, worth every euro.

I suppose that dueling orchestras in St. Mark's Square may be fun but does anyone remember when there was just one large orchestra? It provided background music in &quot;Summertime&quot; while Katherine Hepburn and Rossano Brazzi romanced to the strains of &quot;La Gazza Ladra&quot;. So glad that we have it on DVD!

SeaUrchin - there isn't any other place to sit except this time of year when you can sit on the aqua alta platforms that are around the square.

daph - love the movie &quot;Summertime&quot; and think of it whenever I think of the orchestras in St Mark's square - great movie. In fact, this thread brought the movie to mind.

Why is it I suspect that the moment the director yelled, &quot;Cut!&quot; that one big orchestra packed up its instruments and went home?