27 Best Bars in Venice, Italy

Bar Longhi

San Marco Fodor's choice

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.

Caffè Baglioni

San Marco Fodor's choice

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.

Il Caffè Rosso

Dorsoduro Fodor's choice

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 to enjoy a drink. 

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Il Mercante

San Polo Fodor's choice

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").

Skyline Rooftop Bar

Fodor's choice

For arguably the best views of Venice anywhere, visit this buzzy eighth-floor hotel cocktail bar. There are regular DJ and live music events during the summer months.

Al Chioschetto

Dorsoduro

Although this popular place consists only of a kiosk set up to serve some outdoor tables, it is located on the Zattere and thus provides a wonderful view of the Giudecca Canal. It's a handy meet-up spot for locals, especially students from the nearby university, and a useful stop-off for tourists in nice weather for a spritz or a panino. Keep in mind, though, that "the kiosk" exists for quick refreshments and not for lingering. The view and the sunshine (and especially the sunset) are the main draw; the food and drink, while acceptable, are not exceptional.

Bacarando in Corte dell'Orso

San Marco

It is easy to see why this place is popular with the locals, offering fairly priced cocktails, a reasonable assortment of cicheti, and a good selection of Italian wine, but the warm ambience, friendly staff, and occasional live jazz are the main draws. The kitchen stays open until late.

Bacaro Jazz

San Marco
This Venetian-style dive bar has strong cocktails, a jazz soundtrack, and hundreds of bras hanging from the ceiling. The lively daily happy hour is a great time to visit.

Bar Dandolo

Castello

Even if you're not staying at Hotel Danieli, it’s worth a stop to marvel at its bar's over-the-top decor inside a 14th-century palace. Though pricey, it's a highly atmospheric place to sample their signature Vesper martini or another cocktail of your choice, usually accompanied by live piano music.

Ca' Noghera

Mestre's casino, near the airport, has slots, blackjack, craps, poker, and roulette. The minimum age is 18, and there's no dress code.

Via Triestina 222, Mestre, Veneto, 30173, Italy
041-5297111
nightlife Details
Rate Includes: €10 entry includes €10 in chips, Slots daily 11 am–3:30 am, tables daily 3:30 pm–3:30 am

Caffè dei Frari

San Polo
Just over the bridge in front of the Frari church is this old-fashioned bar, where you'll find an assortment of sandwiches and snacks; but it's the atmosphere, not the food, that's the main attraction. Established in 1870, it's one of the last Venetian bars/tearooms with its original decor. Prices are a bit higher than in the cafés of nearby Campo Santa Margherita, but the decor and the friendly "retro" atmosphere seem to make the added cost worthwhile.

El Sbarlefo

Cannaregio

The odd name is Venetian for "smirk," although you'll be hard-pressed to find one at this cheery, familiar bacaro with a wine selection as ample as the cicheti on offer. The spread of delectables ranges from classic polpette of meat and tuna to tomino cheese rounds to speck and robiola rolls, and the selection of wines is equally intriguing. There's often live jazz and blues on Friday and Saturday nights. El Sbarlefo has a second location in Dorsoduro, in the calle just behind the church of San Pantalon.

Impronta

Dorsoduro

Just a few steps from Campo Santa Margherita, this is one of the rare locales that has a kitchen serving until midnight also offers a bar menu until 2. It's also a good spot for nightcap—you can expect a fairly lively atmosphere right up until closing time.

Inishark

Castello

The popular Italo-Irish pub Inishark, located midway between San Marco and Rialto, is known for its variety of international beers, live music, and live sports on the TV.

Pub
Castello 5787, Venice, Veneto, 30122, Italy
041-5235300

Margaret Duchamp

Dorsoduro

The French-sounding name befits this artfully minimalist café-brasserie in Campo Santa Margherita. Classic Venetian cocktails are served alongside warm sandwiches and light salads all day until 2 am. The tables face westward, so there's lots of sun in the afternoon.

Naranzaria

San Polo

At the friendliest of the several bar-restaurants that line the Erbaria, near the Rialto markets, enjoy a cocktail outside, along the Canal Grande, or at a cozy table inside the renovated 16th-century warehouse. Although the food is acceptable, the ambience is really the main attraction. After the kitchen closes at 10:30, light snacks are served until midnight, and there is live music (usually jazz, Latin, or rock) occasionally on Sunday evening. On summer evenings, especially the weekend, the market area draws crowds of young people from Venice, the lagoon islands, and the mainland.

Orange

Dorsoduro

Modern, hip, and complemented by an internal garden, this welcoming bar anchors the south end of Campo Santa Margherita, the liveliest campo in Venice. You can have piadine (thin flatbread) sandwiches, salads, and drinks while watching soccer games on a massive screen inside, or sit at the tables facing the campo. Despite being close to the university, Orange is frequented primarily by young working people from the mainland and tourists.

Palazzo Vendramin-Calergi

Cannaregio

The city-run casino in splendid Palazzo Vendramin-Calergi is a classic scene of well-dressed high rollers playing French roulette, Caribbean poker, chemin de fer, 30–40, and slots. You must be at least 18 to enter, and men must wear jackets after 8:30 pm to access the "VIP" area.

Paradiso Perduto

Cannaregio

Paradiso Perduto has been catering to night owls since the '80s with drinks, wine, and slightly overpriced fish dishes (a better option is the cicheti). The old piano has witnessed Chet Baker and Archie Shepp jams, and the place still serves up live music—mainly local and international jazz groups. It attracts young people and students alongside tourists, creating a very lively atmosphere. In temperate weather, patrons fill the fondamenta until they're shooed away.

Cannaregio 2540, Venice, Veneto, 30121, Italy
041-720581
nightlife Details
Rate Includes: Closed Tues. and Wed.

Piccolo Mondo

Dorsoduro

Piccolo Mondo is the city's only disco, still going strong since 1963 (it was renovated in 2018).

Dorsoduro 1056/A, Venice, Veneto, 30123, Italy
39-041-5200371-Number active from 11:00 PM - 4:00 AM
nightlife Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun.--Tues.

Senso Unico

Dorsoduro

This popular neighborhood hangout is decorated in wood and brick and has a couple of tables that have a great view of the canal. There are beers on tap and plenty of wine and sandwich choices from 10 am to 1 am.

Dorsoduro 684, Venice, Veneto, 30123, Italy
39-348-3720847
nightlife Details
Rate Includes: Closed Tues.

The Irish Pub

Cannaregio

Guinness and gab flow freely from 5 pm to 1 am at this pub, a favorite expat and student hangout since the 1990s. There are Irish, Italian, and Belgian brews plus cider on tap, as well as sports on TV and occasional live music, either Irish or rock. Small sandwiches are available until late (the segalini are divine).

TiME Social Bar

Cannaregio
The seasonal cocktails at this charming mixology bar, many of which use fruit and homemade bitters, win rave reviews from visitors and locals alike. There are also small nibbles on offer if hunger strikes.

Un Mondo di Vino

Cannaregio
Recharge with some wine or a cicheto or two—meat, fish, and vegetarian choices are on offer—at this cozy, friendly spot near the Miracoli church. Numerous wines are available by the glass, and the helpful servers are often happy to crack open a bottle for sampling if there's something you fancy.

Venice Jazz Club

Dorsoduro

This spot hosts the only live jazz concerts in town; the cover gets you a concert, a table, and your first drink. They also serve cold cuts and sandwiches from when the doors open at 7 pm until the music begins at 9 pm. It's best to reserve a table (and you can book through the website).

Dorsoduro 3102, Venice, Veneto, 30123, Italy
041-5232056
nightlife Details
Rate Includes: Closed Dec., Jan., and Aug., and occasionally on Thurs. and Sun.

Venice Jazz Club

Dorsoduro

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.

Zanzibar

Castello

This kiosk bar is very popular on warm summer evenings with Venetians and tourists. Although there's food, it's mostly limited to conventional Venetian sandwiches and commercial ice cream. The most interesting thing about the place is its location with a view of the church of Santa Maria Formosa, which makes it a pleasant place for a drink and a good place for people-watching.

Castello 5840, Venice, Veneto, 30122, Italy
345-9423998