The Best Craft Beer Bars In Rome

Though Italy is most often associated with wine thanks to its historic and pervasive enological heritage, beer is becoming an increasingly popular drink and craft breweries are emerging throughout the country to meet new this new need and trend. Italians are regimented in their eating and drinking habits and they tend to enjoy a beer during an pre-dinner aperitif, or as an accompaniment with pizza rather than with a traditional meal, though a new wave of bars and eateries are challenging this tradition. In the capital, don’t miss the best craft beer bars where you can try a range of Italian and international beers.

Open Baladin

Bar, Restaurant, Pub, Italian, Cocktails, Wine

Open Baladin emerged on the Roman scene in 2009 and has remained a great go-to bar for beer lovers in the capital. Upon entering the establishment, you’ll be greeted by an enormous wall touting a wide selection of beers: the bar has over 40 beers on draft and 100 bottled beers, so it is one of the best places to try a range of Italian craft beers in Rome. Open Baladin is also an eatery with a tantalizing menu serving burgers, salads and fries, along with a handful of other dishes. With numerous rooms and appealing decor, Open Baladin is the perfect place for beer-lovers to enjoy a satisfying lunch or dinner in Rome.

Bir & Fud

Bar, Craft Ale Bar, Pizzeria, Restaurant, Italian, Beer

Another craft beer bar with an eatery is Bir & Fud, a Neapolitan-style pizzeria with an extensive range of artisanal beers and mouthwatering pies. Located just steps from bustling Piazza Trilussa in Trastevere, Bir & Fud has outdoor seating, plenty of bar stools and tables out back so it’s a great bet for any mood you’re in – though it’s only open in the evenings from 6pm-2am. With 36 beers on tap and it’s long bar, it’s a delicious place to try Italy’s best craft beers.

BrewDog

Bar, Pub, Pub Grub, Italian, American, Beer

BrewDog, the rapidly expanding Scottish multinational brewery and pub chain, opened its first location in Rome in 2016 and has already generated a cult following in the Eternal City. Located just around the corner from the Colosseum, BrewDog specializes in its eponymous beers though it has a number of other international craft beers available on draft as well. With 20 taps, you’re sure to find something to suit your preference.

HeyHop

Craft Ale Bar, Italian

Few travelers venture south to Garbatella but with its neighborhood feel, charming architecture and great eateries, it’s a veritable diamond in the rough. Beer lovers visiting this area should head to HeyHop for a cold pint served with a lot of heart that can be enjoyed with an exclusively local crowd. HeyHop has an international selection of beers and just under a dozen beers on tap, as well as bottles for sale alongside tools to brew your own ale at home.

Birra Più

Bar, Pub, Beer, Pub Grub

Nestled in the heart of Rome’s alternative Pigneto district, Birra Più is a haven for beer lovers. A bar and shop stocked with craft and vintage Italian beers, the local is small and pared down, with a dozen rotating beers on tap and bottled beers available in the fridge. If you’re into the indie punk scene, Birra Più is the perfect hangout for you, and artists will appreciate the illustrations that adorn the walls, created by local artisans.

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.