Venice is an exciting and romantic place with excellent sights, great restaurants and historic neighborhoods. The bars below are spread all over the city and represent an eclectic mix of locales, each with its own defining characteristic as well as universal appeal.
Undoubtedly one of the most famous bars in Venice, Harry’s Bar is known far and wide as the birthplace of the famous Bellini drink, invented by Arrigo Cipriani and consisting of fresh peach juice and sparkling wine. Harry’s Bar has an incredible, buzzing atmosphere.
Located in Campo San Margherita, this bar is one of the best in the city. Away from the masses of tourists, here clients can relax and order one of the establishment’s refreshing drinks to chase away some of Venice’s balmy summer nights. The atmosphere at this bar, where there is usually great music and a lot of young people, makes it one of the liveliest in Venice.
Cafe, Bar, Cocktail Bar, Restaurant, Italian, Wine, Beer, Cocktails, Snacks, Fast Food, $$$
Caffe Florian | Image courtesy of Caffe Florian
Possibly the most characteristic café in Venice, Caffé Florian serves one of the best breakfasts in the city, but it is also known as an excellent bar. Its incredibly privileged location means that it is at the focal point of tourism in Venice, so it attracts very large crowds throughout the year. Its elegant and timeless terrace and interior remind visitors of a bygone era, and for a moment they too will be able to enjoy the elegance and sophistication of past times.
Visiting this sophisticated bar with privileged views of Venice is undoubtedly one of the best things to do in the city. Housed in what used to be a grain mill, and is now a luxurious Hilton hotel, in the western part of Giudecca, this locale is privy to Venice’s most beautiful sunsets, with views that stretch over the entire city to the southernmost part of the lagoon.
Al Volto is certainly one for the wine lovers, since it is the oldest wine bar in Venice, and obviously serves classics. The bar’s atmosphere is relaxed and laid-back, so everyone will feel comfortable browsing through the selection of delicious wines. Al Volto has a collection of 1,000 Italian and foreign wines, but they are not all available at the same time, instead the owners mix it up and rotate them, meaning that every visit to the bar will be different.
Bacari, bars that serve ciccheti, are plentiful in Venice, and visitors with a light appetite can visit one or two, whilst those who are less easily satisfied can explore several of them. It is a great way of getting to know the area, and Cantina dal Vino Già Schiavi, or Al Bottegon as it is also known, is one of the top bacari in the area.
As its name clearly states this is a place for jazz lovers, and the crowd here is quite knowledgeable about the music that is played at this locale. From classic jazz to bossa nova or improvisations, some of the city’s best musicians have played their music at Venice Jazz Club. The edgy atmosphere is complimented by the modern décor, whilst candlelit tables give the bar a romantic touch, making it a perfect place for a night out.
Restaurant, Wine Bar, Bar, Italian, Mediterranean, Vegetarian, Wine, Beer, $$$
Mauro Lorenzon at Enoiteca Mascareta | fabioomero/Flickr
In the past few years Enoiteca Mascareta has transformed from a simple establishment to a busy restaurant; but most locals still treat it like a wine bar, and love to head to this locale for a drink and a couple of its gourmet snacks. The wines that are served by the glass are written on their blackboard and change daily, although travelers can always expect to find a variety of North Italian organic wines listed.
Venice’s trendiest crowd, composed of artsy youths and students, frequent this quirky locale. The atmosphere is pretty low-key, making for a relaxed night out. There is usually great music, and sometimes there are even theme nights, so keep an eye open for any of the bar’s cool events. The outdoor seating area means that clients can sit in the fresh air and enjoy a drink.
Although this bar is not open very late, it is a great place to start an evening off in Venice. Visitors can expect to find a great selection of wines by the glass, most of which are not very well known making the experience all the more exciting. As the name denotes, the famous Italian drink prosecco is served here.
