Cagliari
This vaulted pub carved out of rock is an atmospheric spot for specialty craft beers and ales, which pair nicely with the excellent hamburgers and…
Must-see nightlife in Italy
Cortina d’Ampezzo
A typical Bavarian beer bar with a cosy wooden interior and an impressive line up of German, Austrian and Italian brews. To accompany your pint, there are…
Vatican City, Borgo & Prati
With its high vaulted ceilings and narrow pavement tables, this is a good spot for Italian craft beers – there are 23 on tap. And should hunger strike,…
Southern Tuscany
One of the few bars in Porto Ercole open year-round, Baretto has a lovely terrace overlooking the marina. In summer, tables here are the most sought after…
Pavia
A reference point on Pavia’s aperitivo scene is this friendly all-day bar, which serves up a bountiful selection of snacks on its period counter come 6pm…
Northwestern Tuscany
Lounge with hip locals at Lettera 22, a refreshingly stylish and up-to-the-minute literary cafe between the beach and the train station with free wi-fi,…
Monti, Esquilino & San Lorenzo
This hybrid wine bar, tearoom and bookshop lives up to its name, resembling something you might stumble on in Left Bank Paris. It's small, with mismatched…
Southern Rome
Planet Roma is one of Rome's largest clubs, getting its freak on to an eclectic array of sounds in its four rooms, from live jazz gigs to house to retro…
Viterbo
A glass of local Sangiovese accompanied by a side-plate of bruschetta is a fine way to kick start your evening. And with an enviable setting on Piazza del…
Turin
This chandelier-lit showpiece opened in 1903. A brass plaque of the city's emblem, a bull (Torino in Italian means 'little bull'), is embedded in the…
Merano (Meran)
You'll probably end up staying for a bite at this beautifully sited casual restaurant under stunning vaulted ceilings, but it's a great spot for an…
Naples
Turn left down the steps as you walk towards Borgo Marinaro and you'll find this unpretentious waterfront bar. Plonk yourself by the water and gaze out at…
Lake Garda
This hip, multitasking cafe-bar next to a medieval tower can be a laid-back cafe in the morning, an exhibition space after lunch, a cocktail halt as the…
Bolzano (Bozen)
An older, well-dressed lot frequents this warm, woody corner bar and shop for expertly recommended, generously poured local wine by the glass. If there's…
Abruzzo
Great tunes (either playlists pieced together by the affable bar staff or live performances) meet great draught beer and great atmosphere at this beer…
Cagliari
At the bottom of Largo Carlo Felice, this Liberty-style place has been a stalwart of Cagliari cafe society since the early 20th century. Anything from tea…
Turin
This easy-going bar in San Salvario spreads one of the best apericena buffets in the city. You'll find salads, pastas, pizzas, baked dishes, grilled…
Bolzano (Bozen)
Scurry down the cobbled passageway and poke your nose into this wonderful wine burrow, with a good blackboard selection of regional and pan-Italian wines…
Vatican City, Borgo & Prati
Fresh juices and vegetarian and vegan dishes are the order of the day at this mod juicery – perfect for a post-Vatican pick-me-up. Choose from seasonal…
Perugia
A bright bottleshop doubling as a bar with a few stools and high tables. Choose from the massed rank of bottles (50 or so from Italy, including a wide…
Venice
While you can sit down out the back for a serious seafood feast, we prefer to sample the wine and cicheti (Venetian tapas) selection while propped up at…
Venice
That roar behind the Rialto means the DJ’s funk set is kicking in at All’Alba. Squeeze inside to order salami sandwiches and DOC Veneto wines, and check…
Cagliari
Get versed in Sardinian wine at this contemporary, high-ceilinged wine bar, which pairs throaty Cannonau reds and tangy Vermentino whites with platters of…
Naples
Set in a long, cavernous cellar scattered with chesterfields and industrial lamps, this popular centro-storico club draws a mostly 20-something crowd…
Southwestern Sardinia
Occupying a towering 19th-century palazzo covered in Liberty-style advertising – these were added in 1904 – this landmark cafe is ideally placed for a…
Naples
This midcentury bookshop doubles as buzzing cocktail bar, its wine-red interiors drawing a predominantly young, international crowd. Sip a well-crafted…
Treviso
This super-cute cafe with its candy-coloured cakes and soft pastel interiors is a relaxing pit stop for a cup of herbal tea or a punchy coffee and a…
Aosta
Hidden down an alley, a young, well-dressed local crowd fills this stone-vaulted cellar for aperitivo and later on weekends. The wine selection is great…
Verona
Mingle with hip, young locals for spritz (prosecco cocktails) beneath the giant chandelier in this retro-cool bar. Come early enough and you might even…
San Giovanni & Testaccio
This vaulted, softly lit wine bar is a fine antidote to sightseeing overload. Join the mellow crowd for an evening of prosecco, wine and jazz courtesy of…
Monti, Esquilino & San Lorenzo
We like Officine's style. A friendly drinking den with tiled floor, vintage furniture and book-lined walls, it focuses on quality craft beers and expertly…
Sassari
With al fresco summer tables, a vaulted interior and an enclosed wrought-iron verandah, this is a lively hang-out in the university district. It gets very…
Friuli Venezia Giulia
Equally atmospheric indoors and out, there are fried chicken and pasta dishes here as well as the usual meat and cheese platters to accompany your wines…
Northwestern Tuscany
Quench your thirst at the end of the day with a craft beer at Prato's highly regarded birrificio artigianale (artisan brewery), headed up by female brewer…
Southern Tuscany
Tables in the atmospheric logge (loggia) overlooking Piazza Garibaldi are prime people-watching positions, making this cafe the most popular in town…
Venice
True to its name, artsy student types pack out this cafe-bar on the weekends and spill out onto the street outside. It's been serving drinks and snacks…
Venice
Enjoy Palazzo Ca' Giustinian's peerless waterside Grand Canal position in this cafe-restaurant. Try to nab a seat on the outdoor terrace – it's the…
Turin
Elbow your way to the bar or hope for a seat at one of the five wee tables at this art nouveau gem, where regulars sink espresso in piedi (standing)…
Alghero
Exposed stone walls, lilac hues and a low-key jazz soundtrack set the tone at this good-looking wine bar. In summer sit out on the cobbled piazza and…
Eastern Sardinia
Offering lovely sea views from its shady terrace below the spreading branches of an ancient olive tree, Bar L'Olivastro is a relaxed spot for a coffee and…
