Catch The Best Summer Pop-Up Bars In Rome

The weather is hot, the nights are long, and Rome’s nightlife is buzzing with seasonal pop-up bars and festivals to celebrate the summer months. From secret gardens decked out in fairy lights to river hangouts reminiscent of bars in Berlin, these temporary spots lie off the beaten path and are local favorites. As with all good things, they don’t last forever so check out these bars before the end of September to soak in the real Rome this season.

Magick Bar

Bar, Italian, Pub Grub

Magick Bar has been a mainstay of Rome’s summer scene for years and is a great river bar to catch a cool breeze away from the crowded city center. Located in Rome’s Prati district, you’ll find a primarily local crowd and plenty of hip patrons to boot. With its repurposed furniture, tiki touches, and tropical cocktails, Magick Bar is a perfect summer escape within the city.

Le Jardin 489

This secret garden lies within the 19th-century Neo-Baroque Villa Brasini and is a real treat for the senses. The atmosphere is incredibly evocative: enter an enormous regal gateway (normally closed to the public) to find yourself in a shaded garden that is outfitted with mismatched furniture, hanging lights, and vintage touches. Le Jardins 489 is located within the buzzing Ponte Milvio neighborhood, the crowd is chic and largely Roman. http://instagram.com/p/4th3yCH3IC/

Le Miracle

A garden worth checking out in northern Rome is the summer pop-up Le Miracle, run by the same owners who operate the Argot speakeasy by Campo de’ Fiori. It’s inside the Rome Philharmonic Academy just steps from Piazza del Popolo in a lush space teeming with bamboo and the sounds of string instruments playing in the background. Come here for a dose of culture to accompany your cocktail. http://instagram.com/p/BIs9MOWhClH/

Gasometro

Rome’s industrial Ostiense neighborhood breaks with the architecture and atmosphere of the historic center. Its iconic abandoned gasometer has become a mainstay of Rome’s skyline — even being likened to a sort of industrial Colosseum. Having fallen into disuse and, the surrounding area is seeing a revival and a summer festival of bars, music, and events has been taking place each year. Stop by for a youthful atmosphere and a touch of industrial flair. http://instagram.com/p/BIm7f11g98n/

Monk Club

Concert Hall, Music Venue

Monk Club is one of Rome’s premiere music halls and is beloved for its large garden where shows are held in the summer and where young, old, and families all gather for a relaxing evening on its deck chairs. With swings, foosball, and a giant Connect Four game, it’s a veritable adult playground with plenty of activities to spend the long summer nights. Located close to the artistic Pigneto neighborhood, you’ll find an intellectual and alternative crowd.

Feria Lanificio Roof

Bar, Restaurant, Nightclub, Pub Grub, Italian

The ex-Lanificio was an old textile factory that was abandoned in the 1950s and revived in 2007 to become one of Rome’s hippest cultural spaces. It now houses a restaurant, live music venue, and a rooftop bar festival open during the summer months. Located in the Pietralata district, it is certainly off-the-beaten-path but worth the trek. With a full line-up of aperitivo events, dj sets, and markets, it has a vibrant atmosphere that complements its architecturally stunning space.

About the author

Livia Hengel

Livia Hengel is an Italian-American writer, photographer and traveler with a penchant for la dolce vita and a severe case of wanderlust. Originally born in Rome, she spent her life living around the world in Peru, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Turkey and the US before moving back to her city of birth. She is passionate about all things cultural, existential, stirring and beautiful and is happiest when she is contemplating human nature over a glass of wine or wandering off-the-beaten-path in a new city. When she's not traveling around Italy, you can find Livia eating her way through the best restaurants in Rome or keeping up with Instagram. Livia is the author of The HUNT Guide for Rome and also contributes to Spotted by Locals.

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