Savona
Never mind that the sign says Mighetto Vini d'Asti, Maama Bar is one of the best places to be for an afternoon or evening libation. Join locals for an al…
Must-see nightlife in Italy
Milan
The brainchild of Michelin-starred chef Andrea Berton, Dry brings together everyone’s favourites: cocktails and gourmet pizza. The inventive cocktail list…
Catania
Hit this pretty, Liberty-era chiosco (drinks kiosk) for a made-to-order seltz, a nonalcoholic mix of fizzy water, freshly squeezed lemon juice and natural…
Aosta
Secreted south of the Piazza near fragments of Aosta's Roman past, this beer hall brews up a variety of craft beers, including seasonal flavours (chestnut…
Palermo
A flat white in Sicily? Si! This family-heirloom cafe flies the flag for Third Wave coffee, brewing beans from numerous Italian specialty roasters…
Perugia
With an expansive terrace commanding views of the undulating green countryside around Perugia, this panoramic cafe-bar is at its best in the early evening…
Pisa
Chill in peace over a love heart–topped cappuccino, French-press coffee, Nutella-flavoured frappuccino or iced americano at this speciality coffee shop…
Lake Garda
There's no proper sign advertising this stone tavern affiliated with the Locanda San Vigilio, but, trust us, this is the only bona fide bar hereabouts and…
Northwestern Tuscany
Be it lunch at noon (meals €20), afternoon snacks, a cocktail-fuelled apericena (meal-sized aperitivo buffet from 6pm) or dinner with fine wine, this…
Genoa
Tiny wine bars dot Genoa's old city, although this one, under the arches by the port, is particularly characteristic and full of colourful locals. They…
Ionian Coast
Located by the village entrance, this rustic bar is best known for its appearance in the celluloid classic The Godfather. In real life, it's a lovely spot…
Milan
Milan’s second Botanical Club takes its airy contemporary cue from the Chipperfield-designed MUDEC museum opposite. Its fern- and palm-filled interior,…
Catania
Everyone's favourite red, this left-leaning pub, trattoria and culture hub will have you sipping and supping under the watchful eye of Che. The crowd is…
Portofino
Situated at the base of Portofino's lighthouse, this terrace bar has mesmerising views over the sea from its clifftop perch. Keep your eyes peeled for…
Tridente, Trevi & the Quirinale
Overlooking the vast disc of Piazza del Popolo, this historic 1922 cafe was once the hang-out of the left-wing chattering classes. Authors Italo Calvino…
Emilia-Romagna
This classy bottleshop and enoteca tucked down a photogenic lane is the best spot in town to try local wines. Friendly owner Matteo (and an in-house…
Perugia
Lilla and Lillo are wonderful hosts at this intimate, old-school wine bar serving up a relaxed, local vibe and a wide selection of Italian labels, mostly…
Oltrarno
Sitting on one of Florence's most atmospheric little piazzas, this quaintly countrified cafe pulls in local artisans in need of an espresso hit or nip of…
Modena
Your negroni at this shabby-chic lounge takes longer than a masterpiece Renaissance painting, but the excruciating mixology is worth the wait. The…
Alba
What started as a wine shop in 2014 has quickly morphed into an elegant wine bar and restaurant. The variety is astonishing, with more than 400 types of…
Palermo
Thirsty suits flock to this bustling, urbane enoteca (wine bar), complete with bar seating, courtyard and a generous selection of wines by the glass…
Sorrento
Hogging Piazza Tasso's busiest spot, the Syrenuse is where locals pile in before, during or after the evening passeggiata for an piazza-side aperitivo …
Trastevere & Gianicolo
This perennially cool Trastevere bar is housed in an old mechanic's workshop – hence its name ('brakes and clutches') and shabby facade. It draws a young…
Venice
Hidden behind the SS Apostoli church, this bar-cum-restaurant has a contemporary baroque style with wood beamed ceilings, a signature red banquette, and…
Ferrara
This small brewpub is the domain of friendly Marcello, who started brewing beer when he was 19. He keeps five or so of his own brews on draught (the…
Tridente, Trevi & the Quirinale
Play the Roman: sit at a bistro table on Pepy's narrow pavement terrace and watch the fountains gush and motorini whizz by on Piazza Barberini. It's a…
Naples
Aptly skirting bohemian Piazza Bellini, this whitewashed gallery features its own cafe-bar speckled with books, flowers, cultured crowds and al fresco…
Naples
Cappuccinos come with complimentary arias at this sweeping, kitschy cafe, set inside Teatro San Carlo. Settle into a Chesterfield and sip away to Verdi,…
Syracuse
Sommeliers Elisa and Gianfilippo source wines they personally enjoy for their wonderfully old-school enoteca (wine shop), with rows of rustic wooden…
Pistoia
This retro 'bunker' lures a fashionable set with its vintage furnishings. Everything, from the colourful 1950s formica tables to travelling chests…
San Giovanni & Testaccio
If you've time to kill, this relaxed cafe is the answer. Anticafé doesn't charge for its drinks, rather you pay for the time you spend there – €4 for the…
Naples
Cantine Sociali is hugely popular, drawing a stylish, mixed-age crowd to its timber deck each night. The wine list is extensive and competent (if not…
Catania
Resembling an urban greenhouse with its potted plants, creeping ivy and spice-tray tabletops, plush, comfy Teapot pours high-quality teas procured from an…
Centro Storico
The very picture of a glamorous lounge bar, Salotto 42 encapsulates Rome's dolce vita style. Set on a charming piazza facing ancient Roman columns, its…
Sorrento
Despite its location on a busy road, contemporary Cherì is a fine place to chill, with potted lavender and rosemary at the front and a smart, lemon-tree…
Catania
A local institution, piazza-side Prestipino is a top spot to slip on your shades, order a cappuccino and eye-up the passing parade of pic-snapping…
Centro Storico
A relic of the city's once-vibrant leftist counterculture, this frills-free enoteca near Campo de'Fiori opened in the 1960s and was swiftly adopted by…
Ferrara
This third-wave coffeehouse hailing from Bologna faces far less competition in Ferrara, where its single-origin and organic speciality coffees and…
Ischia
One of the oldest bars on the island, founded in 1925 and located near the harbour. The atmosphere here is one of languid gentility: waistcoated waiters…
Livorno
A couple of hip waterfront bars speck the canals in Piccolo Venezia – hugely atmospheric in summer when the drinking action spills outside. 'Food, Beer &…
