Rome, Venice Florence: best bars for cocktails
 

I know of a few places for drinks in each of these cities, but would love to have some memorable experiences. They can be fancy (loved the Hemingway Bar at the Ritz in Paris) or just a bar (also loved Harry's in Paris).

Anyone have any bars / cafe's they'd like to share that would be good spots for a cocktail or nightcap?

In Rome, for a funky experience, the Bartaruga Bar in the piazza with the Turtle Fountain (in the Jewish Ghetto). A cocktail and tea bar, with colorful, living room-type decor and good music on the sound system (at least to my taste and while we were there--Sinatra and then Duke Ellington). There's a piano, so there might be live music, perhaps later at night than we made it. Loved this place.

Definitely in Venice try Centrale Lounge midway between Piazza San Marco and the Teatro La Fenice-a cool, late-night spot with great atmosphere and friendly vibe-also good for late-night dinner, as they serve until after midnight. www.centrale-lounge.com.

The piano bar at Hotel Cipriani in Venice is quite nice, as is just about anywhere in San Marco Piazza when the orchestras are dueling in the evening.

In Rome:

Jonathan's Angels is always a hilarious experience in Rome - it's right off of Piazza Navona, just ask anybody there for directions. Jonathan (the owner) is always there with his white pompador and megalomaniac art on the walls. You'll love it - it's a feast for the senses. His son runs a bar next door that's much more intimate and less nuts. The Bali Bar in Trastevere (Rome) is fabulous as well - very funky and cool and has lots of loungy areas to chill out and drink frozen cocktails with funny little straws and fruit etc.

In Venice - a must is Florians. Speaking of Hemingway, he drank here, in the oldest bar in Venice. You will love it, although now I'm sure it's ridiculously expensive as it's right on Piazza San Marco.

Some of these look incredible; thanks for the information folks.

I good website I found for bars btw is:
www.worldsbestbars.com

mdtravel, I checked out the website and to my surprise found the Bartaruga listed--and to think we just stumbled on it when it's apparently somewhat famous. The crowd the website describes, however, wasn't there when we where (before 9:30). I probably would have been intimidated if I had seen the website description, not exactly fitting the description.

Also checked out the bars listed for Washington DC, my old stomping grounds, although not much into the bar scene anymore. Recognized most of the names, but thought there's others, that might get a more varied crowd that are also DC institutions, like the Dubliner and Irish Times, that aren't listed. But it can't cover everything. Interesting site, thanks for the tip.

Very cool website mdtravel.

In Venice, Scala Martini, the piano bar connected to Antico Martini (near La Fenice) can be a nice place for a nightcap with live trio.

Baccaro Jazz is a bar/rest. with lively atmosphere. We didn't go in but passed one evening and the place seemed to be jumping. Read later it's popular, friendly and fun.

"The Bali Bar in Trastevere (Rome) is fabulous as well - very funky and cool and has lots of loungy areas to chill out and drink frozen cocktails with funny little straws and fruit etc."

Hmm. I will be staying in Trastevere in October. Looks like a Roman holiday mai tai could be in my future.
((H))

I had the tastiest martini in my life at Harry's Bar in Venice.

Glad you folks liked the website. Here's another along the same lines:

www.pubcrawler.com