18 Best Bars in Italy

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.

The excellent musical programming and the black-and-white-checker floors at Rome's most important live jazz and blues club evoke Harlem's 1930s jazz halls. The bar and restaurant are always busy, so reservations are suggested.

Anema e Core means "soul and heart" in Caprese dialect. This popular place is tucked down a quiet side street, a two-minute walk from the Piazzetta. Admission (€50) includes an eclectic range of lightish live music after 11 pm and a drink from the bar. No food is served, so come well sated. There's no dancing here officially, though some patrons—including celebrities—occasionally take to the tables. The spot is closed Monday and is usually open 11 pm–3 am; reservations are essential on weekends.

Open since 1984, Big Mama is Trastevere's homegrown institution for live music, including jazz, blues, rhythm and blues, international, and rock. Tables can be booked online for their nightly shows.

This small club in the historic district books jazz musicians and hosts jam sessions and live DJ sets. The cocktails are as good as the music.

Since 1987, this historic venue has hosted jazz and other musical maestri, such as Chet Baker, Max, Roach, Herbie Hancock, and Caetano Veloso. You can enjoy light and more substantial meals here as well.

An intimate club with live music performances nightly, Charity hosts local and international jazz musicians in a relaxed atmosphere.

Situated just around the corner from Castel Sant'Angelo, Fonclea jams with live music—from jazz and Latin American to R&B and '60s cover bands—every night of the week. Entry is free.

Hard Rock packs in young Florentines and travelers eager to sample the music hall chain's take on classic American grub.

Enjoy live music in this small basement club.

Inside, the cool chrome furnishings contrast with the old arched ceiling, but try to get a table out in the beautiful square in front of the Orientale University, where you can mingle with the city's students. A DJ spins tunes, and there's regular live music on the tiny stage.

Part of Hotel San Michele and open year-round, this is the clubbing spot for thirtysomethings and older cognoscenti.

An all-ages crowd converges on Borgo San Frediano each weekend for live bands and creative cocktails. During the week, NOF is a relaxing lounge for a post-dinner nightcap and music set; there's also a small plates and aperitif menu, served until 10 pm.

If you are looking for the nightlife edge, try Number Two, a favorite of celebrities and open until the wee hours in the center of Capri Town.

For live music, bowling, or just a slice of pizza, this long-standing establishment has been a fixture for generations of Alghero's youth. The music is mainly jazz, blues, and rock, while a range of beers and cocktails are served as well as pizza cooked in a wood oven and dispensed by the meter.

Owner Federico is on the piano while his band plays live jazz, in styles including classic, modern, Latin jazz, and bossa nova, at this intimate venue. Concerts usually start at 9 pm every night except Thursday and Sunday, and dinner is available beforehand for an extra charge.

Live jazz is the draw at this intimate and elegant bar–restaurant near the port, where artists, filmmakers, and gallery owners gather over drinks or upscale dinners.