The Best Cocktail Bars In Rome

Although Rome is better known for its wine bars than its cocktail bars, the drinking scene is evolving and a variety of new watering holes have cropped up in the Eternal City championing beverages that are shaken, muddled and stirred. From swanky rooftop bars and secret garden locales to intimate speakeasies and local favorites, Rome has a wide variety of venues that will please cocktail lovers of all stripes.

Woman at Scalinata di Trinità dei Monti or ‘The Spanish Steps’, Rome, Lazio, Italy, 2019.

Salotto 42

Cocktail Bar, Pub Grub, Cocktails, Wine, Beer, Italian

Ranked as one of the world’s best bars, Salotto 42 has an enviable front-row spot overlooking the 2nd-century ruins of the Temple of Hadrian. When in Rome, why not enjoy your spritz with a view? It’s a stylish little ‘book bar’ with delicious drinks, tasty finger foods and cool music. Mingle with an upscale crowd in the evenings or enjoy a more relaxed ambience in the later afternoons and be sure to grab a seat outside or just behind the sliding glass door to enjoy the vista.

Blackmarket San Lorenzo

Cocktail Bar, Cocktails, Wine, Beer, Pub Grub, Italian

Blackmarket San Lorenzo, one of three Blackmarket venues in Rome, is an atmospheric cocktail bar with carefully curated aesthetics and an extensive list of mixed drinks that pay nod to the Roaring ’20s. The menu features a number of signature cocktails, inspired by barman Alessandro’s time spent in London, and variations on classic drinks, though the team is happy to whip up personalized beverages for guests. The interior décor is quirky and cool, with exposed brick walls, vintage sofas and cozy candlelight – complementing the bar’s warm and friendly service.

Stravinskij Bar

Bar, Beer, Wine, Cocktails, Pub Grub, Italian

One of Rome’s most exclusive locations is the Stravinskij Bar nestled within Hotel de Russie marvelous private garden: a truly verdant oasis just steps from Piazza del Popolo. Perched upon a private terrace designed by neoclassical architect Giuseppe Valadier, you can enjoy a wide range of signature cocktails while people-watching and soaking in the beautiful landscape around you. Hotel de Russie is a favorite hotel with celebrities and the well-heeled crowd so you never know who you may spot into while sipping your G&T.

The Jerry Thomas Project

Bar, Pub Grub, Wine, Beer, Cocktails, Italian

Rome’s most famous late-night speakeasy, The Jerry Thomas Project is a cocktail bar straight out of the Prohibition Era. Located behind an unassuming doorway in the heart of Rome, you’ll need to answer a riddle on the website to receive the secret password to enter the speakeasy and reservations are encouraged. Intimate, dimly lit and with great decor, Jerry Thomas creates a great atmosphere and offers top-notch cocktails to boot.

Freni e Frizioni

Bar, Cocktails, Wine, Beer, Pub Grub, Italian

A Trastevere favorite, Freni e Frizioni is one of the neighborhood’s liveliest places for an aperitivo and a great place to enjoy delicious cocktails in a convivial setting. The bar was once a mechanic’s shop – hence the name, which means ‘Tires and Clutches’. It spills out onto an enormous piazza, meaning most patrons take a seat along the wall or stand, mingling with friends. Hip but casual, it’s a great place to enjoy long summer nights. Don’t miss the mojito, one of the best in the city.

Co.So.

Located in Rome’s gritty but gentrifying Pigneto neighborhood, Co.So. is a surprisingly upscale diamond in the rough. Short for Cocktails & Social, Co.So. features typewritten menus delivered to your table in Manila envelopes, bubble wrap coasters, an all-you-can-eat popcorn machine, and gummy bears to snack on while you sip on your bespoke cocktails. Each drink is carefully crafted and served in a unique glass, and this may be the only place where you can sample a carbonara sour: the secret ingredient is guanciale-infused vodka which adds a savory flavor to the citrus classic.

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.