Trastevere & Gianicolo
Off the beaten Trastevere track, away from the main action, this is a rip-roaring rock 'n' roll backstreet dive bar with music, beers, cocktails, hipster…
Trastevere & Gianicolo
Off the beaten Trastevere track, away from the main action, this is a rip-roaring rock 'n' roll backstreet dive bar with music, beers, cocktails, hipster…
Fiesole
On the main square in Fiesole, this atmospheric Irish pub is a popular local hangout for tip-top beers, excellent burgers and other quality pub grub.
Monti, Esquilino & San Lorenzo
Keen on '80s pop and rock? You'll hear lots of it on the sound system at this cafe-bar, which has walls covered in collages and classic album covers, and…
Siena
Boasting a million-dollar view over the Campo, this osteria (casual tavern) serves cocktails, beer and wine by the glass, as well as pricey panini (€10 to…
Agrigento
This trendy enoteca (wine bar) sits in a pretty piazza just off the main thoroughfare. Enjoy a cool aperitivo whilst munching on olives and listening to…
Alghero
By day a quiet neighbourhood cafe, the Diva shows her true colours at night when the atmosphere hots up as suntanned sippers drop by for a cocktail (€7)…
Rimini
This popular nightspot on the Marina Centro waterfront – the most touristy by a landslide – exudes a summer-beach-party atmosphere, with palm trees…
Turin
Occupying an old pharmacy, La Drogheria's vintage sofas are coveted by a laid-back, studenty crowd who enjoy drinks and a decent aperitivi selection…
Monti, Esquilino & San Lorenzo
A small, relaxed bar, Birra Plus attracts a laid-back crowd who drape themselves over blonde-wood bar stools and tables. There's plenty of craft beer on…
Turin
This side of the river attracts an older crowd who escape the Po-side madness and come for expertly made cocktails. Outside tables in summer have…
Murano, Burano & the Northern Islands
The restaurant-bar attached to the Venice Certosa Hotel is worth it for the outdoor seating and the Riviera vibe as it fills up with sailing enthusiasts…
Merano (Meran)
You can while away the hours with morning coffee or afternoon aperitivi in this relaxed cafe attached to the Kunst Meran gallery.
Livorno
Locals have been enjoying the well-made coffee at this friendly cafe behind the duomo (cathedral) since 1945. In summer, the tables in the arcade are…
Santa Teresa di Gallura
Right on the main square, this central hub swells with happy holidaymakers until the early hours. Grab an outside table and enjoy ringside views of the…
Sassari
A cosy cafe with low stone ceilings and a few outdoor tables beneath a stretch of 13th-century wall. It's open all day from breakfast and serves a buffet…
Sorrento
Guinness on tap, cheapish cocktails, disco beats, fish 'n' chips and all-day breakfasts posing as hangover cures. If you came to Sorrento to meet a Brit,…
Olbia
With outdoor seating in the heart of town, this popular cafe is good for morning coffee and cornetti (croissants), or beer, cocktails and vino later on.
Cagliari
Named after the elves that populate its small, stone-clad interior, this relaxed wine bar is a popular evening hang-out, serving decent cocktails and a…
Cilento Coast
The encapsulation of Palinuro’s bar scene, this sprawling terrace with perspex furniture and palms creates a glamorous space for live music every Saturday…
Santa Teresa di Gallura
Towards Palau, 3km south of town, is Santa Teresa’s nightlife hub, centred on this outdoor club, where DJs and the occasional band crank up the party vibe…
Le Marche
All high ceilings, polished wood and mirrors, this is a classic old-school cafe, just right for a delectable pastry, morning cappuccino or evening…
Udine
Fabulously eccentric decor makes this place rather memorable in a city of atmospheric bars. Great wines, grappa, and cheese and meat platters complete the…
San Remo
A lively if sophisticated bar once you've had enough seaside fun for the day. Friendly staff, excellent wines and great aperitivo snacks draw the locals.
Turin
Beneath the trees on Piazza Savoia, the terrace here is a favourite place for an apericena – its buffet banquet is one of the best in the town centre.
Golfo di Orosei
Troubles indeed seem far away at this arty Beatles-themed bar, set around a pocket-sized courtyard. It’s a chilled spot for a snack, cold beer or cocktail.
The Dolomites
A pubby sort of day-to-night bar that pumps out the spritz at aperitivo (pre-dinner drinks) hour and does the town's best Negroni cocktail.
Padua
It's standing room only behind the floor-to-ceiling windows of this hipster bar serving lots of regional tipples as well as simple snacks.
Ischia
A surprisingly lively club playing international house music, and with the aesthetic bonus of some pretty, traditional majolica tilework.
Verona
Flee the sightseeing throngs to this off-the-beaten-track cafe serving top-notch coffee, Italian newspapers and a few simple desserts.
Udine
At Udine's only lunch- or aperitivo-with-a-view option, you also get history in spades, and grass to loll on.
The Dolomites
A friendly historic-centre bar where locals gather for morning coffee, jugs of beer, and wine – often all at once.
Verona
Enjoy a mid-sightseeing coffee break at this simple cafe that has bagged a suntrap spot on Piazzetta Pescheria.
Milan
No seating, just some of the best coffee in Milan, in a wood-panelled, period bar.
Milan
Legendary Le Trottoir is housed in an ex-customs toll gate on the Darsena docks and is a place many people move on to when the bars in Navigli close…
Venice
Venice's sole disco is only worth visiting during the Biennale when the art world brings a little glamour to its otherwise staid atmosphere.