The Best Bars in Sorrento, Italy

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This cocktail bar on the roof of the Hotel Mediterraneo has one of the most enviable locations in Sorrento. Chill-out beats and plush sofas are the order of the day, alongside bright-orange Aperol spritz dripping with condensation and other luxe cocktails. But the real draw is the view – sunsets over the Bay of Naples, as the sky tinges cotton pink and dusky blue, are the stuff of Instagram dreams. There’s a fine selection of finger food, too. Be sure to book a table in advance – this place opens specifically for sundowners at 6pm and is open to the public only three days a week.

Stepping inside this rustic wine bar, you’ll find walls adorned with thousands of bottles of red, white, sparkling and rosé. Perch up at one of the barrel tables inside, or bag one of the cluster of tables spilling out into the tiny piazza. This is the best spot to sample one of the local reds from Campania, the wine region on the doorstep of Sorrento. The volcanic terroir, courtesy of looming Mount Vesuvius, lends an earthy tone to the wines of the region. Pair it with a charcuterie board piled high with cured meats and cheeses, or order a meal of fine dining-style plates to accompany your tipple.

If you fancy splashing out on a memorable evening, head to La Pergola Bar, hidden at the back of the Excelsior Vittoria. Sit beneath a century-old wisteria that twists its way around the pergola above. This spot is just off the buzzing Piazza Tasso, but feels a world away from the crowds. The Bay of Naples stretches out beyond the stone balustrades, making this an ideal spot for a sunset drink. The menu is lavish champagne cocktails and gourmet small plates.

It’s not all champagne and Aperol spritz in Sorrento – La Bottega Della Birra is a pub offering a huge variety of craft beers, brewed in Italy and beyond. The selection is heavy on the monastery-style dubbels and blonde ales, which go down a treat with the charcuterie boards with home-made sauce on the side. If you don’t know what to try first, the bar staff are more than happy to offer recommendations.

This rooftop bar has views across the Bay of Naples to the looming shadow of Mount Vesuvius. By day, the sparkling sea stretches before you, and at sunset you can watch the sky burn orange before twinkling towns and lit-up yachts dot the scene at nightfall. Live music pulses in the night air most evenings, and the bar staff can whip up exceptional cocktails. Is there anything better than a cherry-sweet negroni at sundown? With views like this, no there isn’t.

Ornamental bird cages, wicker chandeliers and trinkets straight out of an interior design magazine fill this eclectic cocktail bar. Settling down into a stylish rattan sofa or wrought iron bistro chair, you’ll find a price tag on everything – this place is both a cocktail lounge and store. Sip a perfectly crafted espresso martini while your eyes shop for knick-knacks. Or, just enjoy an Aperol spritz and aperitivo buffet under the twinkle of chandeliers.

Right in the heart of Sorrento, in the bustle of Piazza Tasso, Syrenuse Bar is the ideal spot for aperitivi. Choose between the smattering of tables and chairs out the front, for a people-watching view of the piazza, or head around to the long, thin balcony at the back with views out to the sea between the buildings. It may be on Sorrento’s most popular piazza, but the price tag is joyously low – so load up on those ice-filled Aperol spritzes and enjoy at your leisure.

Part cocktail bar, part pizzeria, Café Latino is dinner and a nightcap rolled into one. Take a seat in the garden, blooming with hydrangea and filled with the sweet scent of orange and lemon trees. Come sunset it’s the spot for an aperitivo under the shade of one of three gazebos. After sunset, it’s all about the cocktail menu.

If you’re continuing your Italian adventure, see why you must visit Naples. Stay in one of the coolest neighbourhoods in town and book one of these top hotels now via Culture Trip. There is a host of things to do here, including mouth-watering bars you’ll want to try.

This is a rewrite of an article originally by Gillian McGuire.