I've read that justing being in Venice in the evening is more entertaining than anything presented indoors. All that being said, is there any entertainment, such as theatre, plays, comedy shows, presented in Venice in the English language? At the risk of sounding unsophisticated, we do not enjoy attending opera or classical music concerts, but would not mind spending at least one of our evenings in Venice seeing some sort of show that we could understand and appreciate.

Unless there is some special show arranged by an English club or something, you won't find much in Italy in English. Just go to the bars and nightclubs and soak in the atmosphere. They have pop music and jazz.

We found that Venice goes to sleep early-by 10:00 and then arises very early in the morning. Did anyone else feel the same way?

Venice is not a big nightlife town, but there are a lot of places that stay open until midnight, and several that go into the wee hours of the morning.

Gene- We have always spent the evening outside at St Marks Sqs where the little table and bands are--JUST listening to the music---<BR><BR>Aboslutely wonderful and calming!!<BR><BR>Venice is not known for an active nightlife-unless I have missed something on my last 3 times there...<BR><BR>AND PLEASE, if someone knows anything specific, POST it HERE!!<BR><BR>Thanks

I agree that sitting in San Marco after dinner and listening to the bands and watching the people is a highlight of a Venice vist. Have a sambucca, or a glass of wine or ????? but be sure to bring lots of money. Last time I sat down and had a glass of wine while waiting for El Husband it cost $10.<BR>

Places I remember: There's an Irish pub in Castello with &quot;shark&quot; in the name that stays open until around 2 a.m.--not far from S. maria Formosa.<BR><BR>Antico Dolo stays open passed midnight--near Rialto market.<BR><BR>Martini Scala near La Fenice stays open way late, like 3 or 4 am<BR><BR>A neat place, Vino Vino winebar, is open until midnight--and you can can a nice meal for under 10 euro if you don't want a bunch of courses.<BR><BR>Al Paradiso in San Polo is open until 2 as is Caffe Blu in Dorsoduro.<BR><BR>There's a bunch of web sites where you can get this type of info, like:<BR><BR>http://travel.discovery.com/destinations/fodors/venice/nightarts_20208_1.html<BR><BR>

Gene: The restaurants we like to eat at usually take about three hours and with a seven o'clock start, the evening is well on the way when we finish. We usually wander over to Piazza San Marco for the battle of the bands for the rest of the evening. On a warm night with the views of the Cathedral and buildings around the Piazza and a night-cap or two (yes, a little pricey, but you don't pay for the entertainment), listening to the music is fantastic and the duelling bands really put on a show. Pretty pedestrian, but great fun. Have a great trip.