Alghero
Fabulous mojitos go hand-in-hand with stunning sunset views at this buzzing little bar on the western walls. Upbeat Latin tunes and a cavernous interior…
Must-see nightlife in Italy
Parma
A loud, elbow-in-the-ribs type of wine bar (it gets busy!) with some tables in a room out back where you can sip wine and munch grilled panini while…
Verona
On the town’s most bustling square, this deliciously chintzy cafe has been here since 1901, perfecting the house speciality 'filippini', a killer cocktail…
Milan
A local favourite, this old-style bar recalls the city of Buenos Aires. It attracts a laid-back, diverse crowd from breakfast through to aperitivo to late…
Venice
By day this is more of a cafe, but in the evening its little tables fill up with a mixed crowd, drinking wine and snacking on massive platters of salumi …
Aosta
A stylish garden and indoor-outdoor rooms are built on part of the remains of the Roman forum and fill up with locals at aperitivo hour. They have a great…
Southern Rome
This small, dark two-level club has an underground feel, and it's one of the funkiest choices in the zone, featuring a dancetastic mish-mash of breakbeat,…
Mantua
All of Mantua passes through Caravatti at some point during the day for coffee, spritz or Signor Caravatti’s 19th-century aperitivo of aromatic bitters…
Livorno
On the ground floor of the fascist-era Multisala Grande building on the city's central piazza, the Dolly Bar offers good coffee and a terrace that's a…
Siena
Squeeze into this tiny, heart-of-the-action space to enjoy some of Siena's best coffee. In summer, the coffee granita with a dollop of cream is a…
Southern Tuscany
Gloria Dini makes the best coffee in town, which is why her Bar Torrefazione (Bar and Roastery) is always busy. The fact that it's the cheapest cup in…
Piedmont
A nicely urban-feeling pub up in the shopping mall that stays open later than some and has good wine and cocktails, as well as a super-cheap tapas menu if…
Rome
Modern and busy, Enoteca Mostó is a popular local watering hole and eatery. Cram into the small space for top-shelf wines, knowledgeable staff and small…
Porto Cervo
Bono, Craig David and Denzel Washington have all been spotted at this exclusive club. Getting in is no party and depends entirely on the whim of the stony…
San Teodoro
Down by the beach, opposite Hotel L’Esagono, this club with an outdoor dance floor rocks to a mainly commercial beat. It occasionally welcomes DJ royalty…
Langhe, Roero & Monferrato
A stylish little wine bar and shop where you can taste the region's best wines. Their motto is 'drink wine not labels'. Pick up local chocolate and…
Turin
This legendary dance club features everything from folk and punk to tango and techno. Check the website for specific opening hours and details on the…
Oristano
With its piazza seating, bright modern interior and perfect centro storico location, this popular cafe is a great spot to hang out over a coffee or…
Monti, Esquilino & San Lorenzo
This long-standing favourite is known for its cocktails and antipasti platters. If you get here early you may be able to lay claim to a seat on the zebra…
Turin
A jewelbox-sized beautifully decorated neighbourhood drinking den where you can join locals over vermouth-fuelled sessions most nights. There's also a…
Rimini
Perched on stilts over the Adriatic at the far end of the marina pier, Rockisland is the place for beer, sunset cocktails, live rock music and bikers with…
Perugia
Students, professors and all comers flock to this chandeliered, blissfully relaxed hang-out for coffee by day and cocktails to the backbeat of DJ tunes by…
The Dolomites
Genteel San Cassiano is generally light on après-ski, but this drinking hole at the foot of the Piz Sorega gondola kicks on, in season, with a disco from…
Lecce
A favourite hang-out of Lecce's student set who crowd in for Bluebeat's winning combination of vintage ska music and a great selection of hoppy Italian…
Ionian Coast
This is one of the Riviera's largest nightclubs, with multiple dance floors, a swimming pool and various club nights catering to the young and not so…
San Teodoro
Summer evenings at this Asian-inspired lounge in the town centre can resemble an MTV beach party, with the fun fuelled by dancing, cocktails and good…
Erice
Enjoy Erice's famous almond sweets on the panoramic upstairs terrace of this cafe affiliated with the Maria Grammatico pastry shop on the same street.
Bologna
Wednesday, Friday and Saturday are the big nights at this legendary gay-and-lesbian (but not exclusively) club, home of Italy's Arcigay organisation.
Brescia
A garrulous laid-back crowd crams into this buzzing bar to sip on luscious wines and sample platters of meats, cheeses and artichokes (€4 to €9).
Bosa
Perfect for a leisurely evening drink, Caffè I Portici is a bustling cafe with outdoor tables on Piazza Costituzione, a prime people-watching spot.
Verona
Watch the crowds filing through Piazza Erbe as you enjoy a tipple at one of the al fresco tables at this stylish cafe, one of a row on the square.
Portofino
A serious wine shop with simple tables right on the waterfront for your nightly aperitivo. It's a yachties' favourite.
Porto Cervo
Strangely for such a swish resort, one of the favourite drinking hang-outs is this nautically themed English-style pub.
Trento
Join the university set for good wine and grappa, possibly some spirited political debate, and occasional live music.
Emilia-Romagna
A fine wine bar with four to 10 selections by the glass and tables on popular Piazza Garibaldi.
Friuli Venezia Giulia
The place on the square for an expertly made spritzer or coffee.
Ancient Rome
On the 2nd floor of the Capitoline Museum and with a terrace commanding views over the city's domes and rooftops, this cafe has waiter service on the…
Venice
There’s really no better place to park yourself for aperitivo than at this pint-sized kiosk on the Zattere overlooking the Giudecca Canal. Even on frosty…
Milan
Ricardo Griffini's Bar Bianco was built as a milk bar for the Tenth Triennale (1954). Still popular with mums and toddlers in the daytime and a hip…
