Bellagio
All gleaming walnut wood, glinting mirrors and regiments of bottles, the art nouveau Bar Rossi is one cafe not to miss. Revel in the elegant interior or…
Must-see nightlife in Italy
San Polo & Santa Croce
Discerning drinkers throng to this cupboard-sized counter on a Rialto Market square to sip on top-notch prosecco and other wines by the glass (from €2)…
The Dolomites
Legendary throughout Val di Fassa for après-ski, this four-way split between a pizzeria, American bar, trash disco and Italian restaurant nevertheless…
Monti, Esquilino & San Lorenzo
The latest venture by renowned Roman mixologist Patrick Pistolesi, this futuristic-flavoured cocktail bar features neon lights, arcade games, inventive…
Bologna
On leafy Piazza Minghetti, this trendy restobar is a local favorite for its creative cocktails (from €9). The small indoor space is intimate, but it's all…
Venice
If sedate wine bars aren't really your bag, this reassuringly pub-like place has battered furniture, sports on the TV, tables on the square, Guinness on…
The Dolomites
Smart hole-in-the-wall bar that caters equally well to workers sipping morning espresso, those who leisurely spritz mid-morning and students nursing a…
Pisa
This old-fashioned cake shop has been tempting Pisans into sugar-induced wickedness since 1898. It's an equally lovely spot for a cocktail – any time…
Rimini
This artsy cafe is the domain of Rimini's alterna-hipsters, wandering bohemians and the anti-beach brigade. It's a great spot for settling in with a…
Grado
Cute hole-in-the-wall bar on an old-town corner that attracts a local crew for an early-evening spritz or three. Has an excellent chilled white selection…
Trento
Follow your nose to this coffee bar and chocolate shop for Trento's best espresso. Beans are roasted on the premises and the crowded shelves feature some…
Sassari
One of the best places on Via Roma is this big, bustling bar with pavement tables and a stylish interior. Business folk lunch here, and young locals come…
Positano
Caribbean-style bamboo beach bar that springs up every summer on Positano's smaller Fornillo beach. It rents out sunloungers and serves drinks and light…
Olbia
This glam club attracts a young, upbeat crowd on summer weekends. The pick of local DJs keeps the dance floor rammed, pumping out house, hip-hop and Latin…
Stromboli
With warm homemade cornetti (Italian-style croissants) and reasonably priced (by Stromboli standards) cappuccino, this bar near the port makes a good spot…
San Gimignano
The town's best coffee is on offer at this cafe next to Porta San Matteo, served at tables on the piazzetta or in the modern interior. Other offerings…
Como
If you're lucky you'll bag one of the clutch of tiny tables beside the ranks of wine-bottle-lined shelves. It's a smart, modern setting in which to sample…
Friuli Venezia Giulia
Venture down into this ancient vaulted cellar for a little piece of Bavaria, with pretzels, football on the big screen or DJs on weekends. Staff are…
La Spezia
Founded by two Swedes back in 2016, La Spezia Brewing Company makes some of the finest beers in the Italian Riviera. The taproom keeps irregular hours,…
Friuli Venezia Giulia
Head to dark and moody Trappola for crowd-pleasing platters of prosciutto (from €6), cheese (€6 to €8) or smoked trout (€8) and well-priced wine and craft…
Siena
Located in Siena's student quarter, this bar stages live-music acts in a vaulted interior with a mezzanine area. Artisan beer is the tipple of choice…
Turin
A cute take on Paris in the '60s, this day-night bar has a loyal local following. Young Torinese come for big weekend brunches, a nightly aperitivo spread…
Olbia
Bottles line the walls at this inviting wine bar. Snag a table to taste Sardinian wines from Vermentinos to Cannonaus, artisanal beers and a tasting plate…
Trento
A central but very neighbourly bar that attracts a young, relaxed but not so studenty crowd. Spritzes and wines by the glass are well priced and there is…
Siena
Arguably the best coffee on the Campo; drink it standing at the bar or suffer the financial consequences. Service on the terrace, which is a popular…
Milan
This Navigli canal-side bar has a fine selection of craft beers, ranging from light lagers to robust hop-heavy bitters. Soak it all up with panini and…
Trieste
An eccentric and convivial grab bag of locals gather here for glasses of cheap, bountiful and good local wine and a few rounds of whatever is on offer in…
Manarola
Serves up excellent wines and small plates on a terrace in the upper part of town. Come in the daytime to explore Cinque Terre's unique wines in the…
Monti, Esquilino & San Lorenzo
Filled with vintage sofas and armchairs, this hipster-ish bar with its living-room vibe pours craft beer and cocktails, and stages acoustic live gigs in…
Alghero
This rocking music bar is an ever-popular hang-out. Its seafront position and convivial atmosphere ensure a steady stream of drinkers, while party lovers…
Porto Cervo
Overlooking the marina, this swanky lounge bar is the place to celeb-watch and play spot the yacht over a cocktail or light bite to eat. Mellow DJ beats…
Venice
There's a pub-like quality to this friendly little back-lane bar – a rarity in ritzy San Marco. It's the main haunt of a local football team comprising…
Camogli
A couple of stools outside will give you a sea view, but the real action here is inside, where books line the walls and locals chat with the welcoming…
Olbia
This contemporary lounge bar–cafe hybrid has a terrace on Olbia's main drag for watching the world go by over a coffee or cocktail. On weekend nights, the…
Costa Smeralda
Just out of town on the road for Porto Cervo, this club is an old favourite. Even if you’re not going to dance it’s worth a look for the sexy cavernous…
Southern Rome
Rashõmon is sweaty, not posey, and the place to head when you want to dance until dawn. Shake it to a music-lover's feast of underground sound, especially…
San Teodoro
Dress to impress the eagle-eyed bouncers and fit in with the glossy 30-plus crowd at this uber-trendy club. It rules its own small hilltop just south of…
Trentino & South Tyrol
This is a fabulously down-to-earth 'local' bar with big football matches on the TV, panini well into the night and staff that keep the beers flowing with…
Southern Tuscany
Old vinyl records may dangle from the ceiling, but the music at this beatnik cafe-bar is bang up to date. DJs spin Italian pop towards the end of the week…
Trieste
The smallest and, dare we say, friendliest of the historic bunch, this is an exquisite room that's just as nice for an evening tipple as a morning capo un…
