Milan
From the metal-studded door with its mysterious porthole to the sleek, sweeping wooden bar and canary-yellow bar stools, The Spirit is a serious and…
Must-see nightlife in Italy
Oltrarno
Florence's first dedicated whisky bar – named after illustrious American horror writer HP Lovecraft – has proved a hit from day one with a staunchly local…
Matera
Matera's renaissance and new-found relaxed vitality come to the fore at this wine bar in a typical cave-house off Sasso Barisano's main drag. The…
Trastevere & Gianicolo
This friendly neighbourhood cafe and bar in Trastevere serves great coffee and offers a lavish, predominantly vegetarian aperitivo buffet between 6pm and…
Oltrarno
Going strong since the 1980s, this cult bar with subtle club vibe is an Oltrarno hot spot for after-work drinks, cocktails and DJ sets. Its chic, design…
Monterosso
One of the best places in Cinque Terre to discover the wines of the region, this family-run wine shop offers various tastings from its selection of over…
Oltrarno
Head to this sharp Japanese cocktail and sake bar for an inventive Bloody Meray (tomato juice, Japanese shochu, fresh ginger, soy sauce and wasabi) or…
Trastevere & Gianicolo
This achingly hip, underground speakeasy ticks all the boxes: no identifiable name or signage outside; a black door smothered in keyhole plates; and…
Tridente, Trevi & the Quirinale
Hidden away a short walk from the top of the Spanish Steps towards the Pincio Hill Gardens, this cafe has a vintage garden-party vibe, with green wooden…
Riomaggiore
A delightful spot for an afternoon pick-me-up, this open-air gem has a terrace perched right over Riomaggiore's wave-kissed shoreline. You'll find local…
Oltrarno
Armchairs, recycled and upcycled vintage furniture, books to read, jukebox, crêpes and a tasty choice of nibbles with coffee or a light lunch give this…
Positano
Dating back to 1950, this is the quintessential Italian terrace, draped with foliage and flowers. Flanking the terrace is La Zagara's superb pasticceria …
Umbria
One of Umbria's top enoteche (wine bars), here you can mingle among master sommeliers while trying local wines and snacking on platters of cheese (€13),…
Manarola
The best place in Manarola for learning about (and more importantly tasting!) the wines of Cinque Terre occupies a stone-walled 16th-century building near…
Assisi
Aficionados and wine enthusiasts love this inviting, rustic-chic bar. Owner Nila, a highly knowledgeable Ukrainian transplant, will talk you through the…
Como
Flickering candles, walls covered with bric-a-brac, and a jazzy (often live) soundtrack make a fine setting for an evening drink and/or snack (burgers are…
Elba
The sunset view from the beach terrace of this bar-restaurant in the cute cove of Bagnaia is the stuff that lasting holiday memories are made of. Head…
Bologna
Bologna's best and most Italian-focused craft-beer bar offers eight taps of birra artigianale (including one hand-pump; draught beers €3.50 to €6) and…
Taormina
Médousa's enchanting garden does more than set a romantic scene for aperitivo (3pm to 9pm), the best time to hit this all-day cafe-bar-bistro. It also…
Milan
Decked out in baby pink, gold and peppermint green, Marchesi’s Quad cafe is as easy on the eye as its pastries are on the taste buds. Inside you’ll find a…
Turin
Hidden in the southern reaches of San Salvario, Vinarium has a laid-back, free-spirited ethos, with beautifully balanced wines by the glass (from €2.50 to…
Rimini
It's a good idea to reserve a prime spot in advance at this trendy cocktail bar hidden away in Rimini's marina (Darsena). You have entered the domain of…
Southern Rome
On weekends a mixed bag of Romans hits the dance floor at Vinyl, a buzzing bar and club cooking up food, music and party happenings on the Via Giuseppe…
Centro Storico
This on-trend cafe, bistro and cocktail bar hybrid is the sort of place where customers come for a breakfast of muesli and smashed avocado toast…
Turin
Pouring some of the best espresso in town, Orso is a cosy coffee-lover's den with reclaimed wood furnishings, coffee gadgetry galore (Chemex, Syphon, cold…
Oltrarno
Whimsical flamingo wallpaper, funky music, DJ sets and a subtle NYC vibe lures Florence's fashionable set to this buzzing cocktail bar across the river…
Milan
This is Milan’s most historic club – its original location was frequented by the likes of Andy Warhol and Keith Haring (you can still see the door Haring…
Trastevere & Gianicolo
Head to 'Sanca' for its basic, stuck-in-time atmosphere, cheap prices and large terrace. It attracts everyone from intellectuals to people-watching idlers…
Rimini
Dancing under Cocoricò's glass pyramid, 2000 clammy strangers (straight, bi, gay, whatever) quickly become friends to the sounds of techno, house and…
Agrigento
Our favourite spot for aperitivi features such a generous array of pre-dinner snacks that you may well be convinced to linger for a second negroni…
Rimini
In quaint Borgo San Giuliano, this is Rimini's best spot for a sophisticated glass of vino without the hubbub that comes along with major European beach…
Trastevere & Gianicolo
'Anyone for Pimm's?' is the catchphrase of both the namesake fruity English liqueur and this eternally popular bar. It has a part red-brick ceiling and…
Venice
There’s something of a mini beer craze developing along Fondamente dei Ormesini, and Birreria Zanon is the latest contender, wooing customers with its…
Naples
Kesté, which translates as ‘this is it’ in Neapolitan, is a historic venue in the vivacious piazza of San Giovanni Pignatelli. The bar curates an ongoing…
Arezzo
Bathed in Tuscan sunrays from dawn to dusk, this cafe is the perfect spot for lapping up the ancient elegance and beauty of Piazza Grande over a coffee or…
Friuli Venezia Giulia
Zidarich is one of the Carso's top producers and the cellar is an unusual mix of modernity and rusticity. Wines here are naturally processed and made with…
Trastevere & Gianicolo
Venture up a steep flight of steps from Trastevere – go on, it’s worth it. Because here you’ll discover this good-looking cocktail bar where the bass…
Perugia
Hophead central in Perugia, this snug pub turned to craft beer a decade ago and has never looked back. Artisanal beer geeks can choose between 10 taps or…
Montepulciano
Specialising in local produce, this tiny place near the Porta al Prato is an excellent choice if you are keen to try a glass or two of Nobile or Rosso di…
Trento
For an excellent introduction to Trentino region wines, stop in at this provincial government-sponsored enoteca housed in a historic palazzo, where you're…
