Caffè Fiaschetteria Italiana 1888
Montalcino
You could take a seat at one of the tables in the slender square outside this atmosphere-laden enoteca-cafe, but then you'd miss its remarkable 19th…
Must-see nightlife in Italy
Milan
La Vineria strips away all the aperitivo hoopla and serves up glasses, carafes and bottles of wine (and olive oil) straight from the barrel. A glass of…
Matera
Located on the narrow pedestrian thoroughfare leading to the cathedral, Monkey Drink House morphs from being a good spot for a morning espresso through to…
Vicenza
Industrial lighting, a sticky stone floor and battered tables set the scene at this earthy pub. Beer is the star attraction, with around 15 mostly…
Elba
In the biz since 1964 (hence its name), this mythical discoteca remains the Saturday-night hot spot on the island for dancing beneath the stars and…
Livorno
This cool cellar bar has a sun-drenched wooden-decking terrace afloat the canal in Piccolo Venezia. Enjoy a cocktail and generously topped bruschetta…
San Polo & Santa Croce
Sniff your way to the affable Doge, where dedicated drinkers slurp their way through the menu of speciality imported coffees, from Ethiopian to Guatemalan…
Santa Margherita Ligure
Just around the corner from the historic centre, Sabot serves some of Santa Margherita Ligure's best aperitivi, where a generous platter of snacks…
Southern Rome
Heading south along the Appian Way, you come to this tiny streetside cafe with pavement tables shaded by a gnarled old olive tree, a hunger-appeasing…
Trastevere & Gianicolo
This hole-in-the-wall Trastevere institution (look for the 'Vini & Olio' sign scrawled above the door) is lined by bottles of grappa and wine for sale,…
Elba
Come sundown locals flock to this waterfront bar to relax over well-mixed cocktails and watch the sun set and the illuminated marina twinkle after dark…
Milan
Milan’s celebrated vodka bar is a tiny temple dedicated to that potent potato juice. With more than 100 different types of vodka to choose from and owner…
Mediterranean Coast
This is a good place to enjoy breakfast in the shade, or a sunset drink, overlooking the harbour. Soft pastry, caffè latte in tall glasses and fresh…
Capri
Behind a humble exterior is one of the island’s most famous nightspots, run by the charismatic Guido Lembo. This smooth and sophisticated bar-club…
Bari
Our favourite of the bars and cafes along narrow Via Manfredi Re on the edge of Bari's old town. Six beer taps feature a rotating selection and the fridge…
Trieste
If you can't make it to the Carso wine region, get the owner here to ply you with indigenous grape varieties (the Vitovska selection is encyclopedic). Or…
Promontorio del Gargano
A cosmopolitan and more casual 2018 offshoot of Monte Sant'Angelo's popular Casa li Jalantuúmene restaurant, this cosy wine bar specialises in Puglian…
Reggio Calabria
Street art and excellent pizza made from Slow Food ingredients combine with Lievito's own range of craft beers – the 9% Belgian-style Tripel is a smooth…
Pisa
Squat on a bench outside or grab a pew inside this funky riverside tap room, the creation of three ale-loving Pisan students: Matteo, Davide and Francesco…
Venice
San Marco has its glittering cathedral, but beer lovers prefer pilgrimages to this shrine of the ‘Holy Drinker’ for 20 brews on tap, including Trappist…
Lipari
If you fancy a late-night drink or simply want a prime people-watching perch during the passeggiata (evening stroll), pull up a chair at this hugely…
Montalcino
Specialising in organic, biodynamic and natural wines, this casually stylish enoteca is a good choice for those after a glass or two of wine accompanied…
Palermo
Red theatrical curtains, old wooden cabinets and vintage curiosities: this snug bar pulls a mixed-aged crowd of artists, students and general bohemians,…
Rome
Occupying an ex-wool factory in Rome's northeastern suburbs, this cool underground venue hosts live gigs and hot clubbing action, led by top Roman crews…
Venice
Affectionately known as Il Rosso, this red-fronted cafe has been at the centre of the bar scene on Campo Santa Margherita since the late 1800s. It's at…
Milan
This eccentric tiki bar, home to Milan's unexpected surfer scene, is located in the midst of a sports centre. The upside is an outdoor garden, a barbecue…
Monti, Esquilino & San Lorenzo
Secreted in the Esedra Arcade near Piazza della Repubblica, this cafe has retained its original 1960s decor, including murals – you'll feel like you're…
Milan
This belle époque bar with its glittering Murano chandelier and counter full of sugary confectionary is something of an institution in the Quad. It is…
San Polo & Santa Croce
Pocket-sized Da Lele is perpetually jammed with students and workers, stopping for a cheap, stand-up ombra (small glass of wine; from €0.70) on their way…
Matera
The roots of this daytime/nighttime cafe as a small gelateria still show: you can get yourself a cono medio (medium cone) of pistachio and cicciolata…
Riomaggiore
Riomaggiore's liveliest drinking den is a local institution – around in one form or another since 1921. Stop in here to catch up on village gossip (if you…
Oltrarno
Craft-beer devotees will enjoy this dimly lit, hole-in-the-wall drinking joint, a step away from the tourist crowds with knowledgeable bartenders at the…
Pisa
A dedicated all-rounder, Bazeel is a hotspot from dawn to dark. Laze over breakfast, linger over a pizza or hang out with the A-list crowd over a generous…
Milan
This craft-beer bar has won a slew of awards for its unusual celebration of wild fermented beers, imported Belgian brands and interesting Italian sour…
Venice
Just gritty enough to be bohemian without being divey, this dark-beamed drinking den offers a long list of cocktails, Guinness on tap and cheap wine by…
Volterra
Though undeniably louche (women can divest themselves of their bras in exchange for a free drink), this rough-and-ready wine bar opposite the Etruscan…
Venice
Join the crowd working its way through the vast selection of cicheti in this historic wood-panelled bar that feels like the inside of a ship's hold…
Viterbo
Join the crowds for a glass of wine in the atmospheric setting of Piazza della Morte. The bar, which also serves craft beers and local foodie specialities…
San Polo & Santa Croce
Its name might mean stagger, but there's more to this party bar than its heady cocktail sessions and Friday-night DJ sets. Just steps away from the Rialto…
Cagliari
A swank beachside hang-out, Emerson is one of the more glamorous of the chioschi that line the seafront at Poetto. Part cocktail lounge, part restaurant…
