187 Best Bars in Italy

An ivy-covered wine bar in the center of Monti, Rome's trendiest 'hood, Ai Tre Scalini has a warm and cozy menu of delicious antipasti and light entrées to go along with its enticing wine list. After about 8 pm, be prepared to wait—this is one extremely popular spot with locals, and they don't take reservations.

Few cafés in Italy can rival Antico Caffè San Marco for its historic and cultured atmosphere. Founded in 1914, it was largely destroyed in World War I and rebuilt in the 1920s, then restored several more times, but some of the original art nouveau interior remains. It became a meeting place for local intellectuals and was the haunt of the Triestino writers Italo Svevo and Umberto Saba: the wonderful bookshop hosts literary events. It remains open until 11:45 pm on Friday and Saturday, and light meals are available.

The Gritti Palace is home to one of the most exclusive watering holes in town (though thankfully open to the public), lined with 18th-century paintings and Murano chandeliers. You can also enjoy your cocktail on the patio with prime views onto the Grand Canal.

The famous New York nightclub's Milan outpost features regular performances by some of the most well-known names in jazz, as well as blues and rock concerts. Dinner is also available.

Rub shoulders with artsy celebs, locals, and visitors who dine while listening to intimate jazz, funk, rock, and pop artists from Italy and beyond. It can be a special, intimate place to see legends like Luca Carboni, Tullio de Piscopo, Nicola Conte, Suzanne Vega, Lisa Stansfield, Billy Cobham, and Roy Ayers.

Just outside Piazza San Marco (near the Museo Correr), Hotel Luna Baglioni's pleasant bar—complete with 16th-century art pieces and an 18th-century fireplace—is perfect for an intimate chat in the cold winter months.

No visit to Padua is complete without taking time to sit in this historic café and iconic Padovano venue, patronized by luminaries like the French novelist Stendhal in 1831. Nearly 200 years later, it remains central to the city's social life. The café was built in the Egyptian Revival style, and it's now famed for its innovative aperitivi and signature mint coffee. The accomplished, innovative restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The grand salons and terrace provide a backdrop for the occasional jazz, swing, and cover bands.

Come here for creative panini, such as sgrombri e carciofini sott'olio (mackerel and marinated baby artichokes), and an ever-changing list of significant wines by the glass. They also have a well-stocked collection of bottles to go.

For a winning combination of creative cocktails and incredible views of the Colosseum, this bar in Palazzo Manfredi can't be beat. Bar manager Matteo "Zed" Zamberlan cut his teeth in New York's top drinking establishments, and here his creativity is on full display. The cocktails are pricey, but they come with a bounty of snacks from the hotel's acclaimed restaurant.

Irish-Italian bartender Patrick Pistolesi worked his way up the ranks at establishments in Rome and New York City before opening this cocktail bar that's regarded as one of the world's best. His first solo venture is an expression of his bold aesthetic and philosophy of hospitality. Inspired by the Japanese cartoons he watched as a kid, the space is dark and dramatic with flashes of neon. The creative cocktails feature ingredients like ginger-lemongrass cordial and miso and arrive at your table impressively quickly. Pair them with Asian-inspired snacks like vegetable dumplings or BBQ pork-filled bao.

Between 8 and 9 some evenings, it seems as though the whole upscale Chiaia neighborhood has descended into this tiny space for an aperitivo. The small tables and low stools can be awkward, but the cozy atmosphere, friendly staff, and the pleasure of being surrounded by glass-front cabinets full of wine bottles with beautiful labels more than makes up for it. Excellent local wines are available by the glass at great prices.

This hipster hangout is great for a sunset aperitivo (the vegetarian buffet is hugely popular) or for late-night socializing. Though the vibe is artsy and laid-back, the bartenders take their cocktails seriously—and have the awards to prove it. In warmer weather, the crowd overflows into the large terrazza overlooking the Tiber and the side streets of Trastevere.

A hop, skip, and a jump from Orsanmichele in the centro storico is I Fratellini, in existence since 1875. It sells wines by the glass and has a lengthy list of panini, including pecorino with sun-dried tomatoes and spicy wild-boar salami with goat cheese.

This swanky, American-style bar is attached to the Hotel l'Orologio. It's a good spot for a well-executed cocktail with tasty snacks; when it's warm, you can sit outside and gaze at the beautiful facade of Santa Maria Novella.

The sign above the door simply says "CAFFÈ," but it has long since been called "Bar Rosso" for its bright-red exterior. The ideal people-watching spot on one of the busiest campos, it has far more tables outside than inside. A favorite with students and faculty from the nearby university, it's a good place to start the day with coffee and croissant, or later to enjoy a drink.

When the clock strikes 6 pm, historic Caffè dei Frari transforms into this lively craft cocktail bar that will dazzle your inner adventurer. Relax on a velvet sofa while savoring remarkably inventive drinks paired with flavorful small bites. Each pairing has a distinctive name; "Amatriciana" is composed of vodka, dry vermouth, and black tea, served with Parmesan foam, pineapple gel, and balsamic vinegar (billed as "strong, smoky, tasty").

Though it has only four tables and four small stools at an equally small bar, Il Santino is blessed with a big wine list and superior cheeses, cured meats, and other delicacies to match.

This upscale watering hole feels miles away from the packed alleyways of the rest of Trastevere. Not much larger than the vintage railroad car the bar is designed to resemble, the interior is swathed in blue velve, and the staff are dressed as porters from another age. The classic cocktail bar comes from the master mixologists behind Rome's most popular speakeasy and has a studied menu of mixed drinks, hard-to-find spirits, and a great selection of Champagne. Reservations are essential and can be made online.

Le Volpi e l'Uva, which translates as "the foxes and the grape" and is based on one of Aesop's fables, off Piazza Santa Felicita, is an oenophile's dream: they pour wines by the glass and serve equally impressive cheeses and bite-size sandwiches to accompany.

Get the best views in town from the large terrace of this café--bar, attached to Ristorante del Sole. It’s the most scenic spot in town for aperitivo; happy hour starts daily at 7 pm.

With just eight seats, this is Rome’s smallest and quirkiest cocktail bar. Dedicated to a serious historical study of spirits and creative cocktails, Lonely Avenue (named for the Ray Charles song) has a catalog of over 400 drinks. While patrons are free to dictate a specific order, the bar operates more on conversation: the two expert mixologists kick off an easy dialogue (in Italian or English) on flavors and emotions in order to suggest and concoct the perfect personalized drink.

Tucked down some steps in an alleyway off Via Umberto, the Oliva lounge offers a bit of calm in the city's bustling center. This is where you go to geek out over the impressive selection of mezcal and rhum agricole or go deep on locally made gins and amari. The team here, a trio of hard-core bar nerds, makes all the classics perfectly (like Negronis, daiquiris, and martinis) and uses house-made bitters and tinctures to whip up inspiring drinks.

Although "osteria" in an establishment's name suggests that food will be served, such is not the case here. This place is all about drinking wine; the entrance door has warnings such as "He who doesn't drink will please stay outside." It's been around since 1465, and locals pack in, bearing food from outside to accompany the wine.

By day, this place provides the least expensive view in town, with an outdoor terrace overlooking the Spiaggia Grande. It's an ideal stop for a coffee, a sandwich, or an ice cream. By night, MTV music pumps from the stereo and the clamor of sporting events blares from the four large-screen TVs, as movers, groovers, and soccer fans from around the globe sip cocktails after a hard day on the beach.

Although listed as a museum on Google Maps, Spazio Pitta is a vibrant bar and restaurant featuring art from Sicilian artists throughout its space. The art ranges from colorful oil paintings to intricate sculptures adorning the patio with a city view. Sip on a limoncello spritz while snacking on a selection from the antipasti list, which includes delicious arancini, cured meats, and cheeses. Get there early if you want to grab a table, as it gets busy, especially on weekends.  

This bar may be the best place in the city to sample la dolce vita. Celebrities, blue bloods, and VIPs hang out in the gorgeous Piazzetta Valadier where cocktails are well above par. There's also a selection of coffees, teas, healthy smoothies, and a full food menu if you need to refuel. It's especially popular for aperitivo, when canapés are served alongside the drinks.

A coffee stand by day and cocktail bar by night, this outdoor establishment began life as a city tram car back in 1903. Now the historic carriage has been converted to a kiosk permanently stationed on a park corner with retro tables and garden seating. A trendy crowd descends at sunset for an evening Spritz, and seats are at a premium until the wee hours of the morning. Since it is entirely outside, Tram Depot is mainly open in the warmer months of the year (April through November); but weather permitting, the kiosk stays open on the weekends year-round.

In the heart of the city's downtown, this always-packed bar has tables that spill into the streets. With an impressive selection of vermouths and local salumi, it's a great spot to go for aperitivo or a late-night drink. But the real draw is the wine program. Don't even bother with the wine list—ask for Antonio Lombardo, a veritable expert with a mischievous smile, who consistently pulls affordable bottles to suit any mood or taste, from obscure natural wines to refined classics. It's a popular spot, so it's best to make a reservation lest you want to be among the crowds who stand in the pedestrian street, drink in hand. 

This wine bar at the Grand Hotel Continental Siena offers daily wine tastings with appetizers along with a visit to the 14th-century cellar, which houses more than 3,000 bottles.