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"E mo’ che fammo?" ("And now what do we do?" in local dialect) . . . For a great night out in Rome, all you need to do is to wander, because ready entertainment is sure to find you on every corner. It’s important to follow Rome’s rule of thumb: if you see an enoteca, stop in. Though most enoteche are tiny and offer a limited antipasti menu, they cover more ground in their wine lists and often have a charming gang of regulars. For the linguistically timid, there are also several stereotypical English and Irish pubs peppered around the city, complete with a steady stream of Guinness, darts, and rugby on their satellite televisions. Those oversize flat-screen TVs also show American football, baseball, and basketball—ideal for those who don't want to miss a playoff game.
Although Rome offers a cornucopia of evening bacchanalia, from ultra-chic to super-cheap, all that glitters is not gold. Insiders and visitors alike understand that finding "the scene" in Rome is the proverbial needle in the haystack: it requires patience and pursuit. Your best asset will be your ability to talk, since word-of-mouth is the most accurate source. Entertainment guides like Roma 2night provide great logistical information including up-to-date listings of bars and clubs. Most visitors head out in the centro storico to find some fun; Piazza Navona, Pantheon, Campo de' Fiori, and even Trastevere may be filled with tourists, but more recently, several niche and boutique bars have opened. (In contrast, the Spanish Steps area is a ghost town by 9 pm.) If you want to get out of the comfort zone, head to the Testaccio and San Lorenzo areas. And wherever you go, remember: Romans love an after-party, so plenty of nightlife doesn't start until midnight.
When it comes to clubs, discos, and DJs in Rome, Testaccio is considered a mecca. Testaccio’s Via Galvani is Rome’s Sunset Strip, where hybrid restaurant-clubs, largely identical in music and crowd, jockey for top ranking. On average, drinks range between €10 and €15, and one is often included with the entrance (€10–€20). In summer, many clubs relocate to the beach or the Tiber, so call ahead to confirm location and hours.
For a winning combination of creative cocktails and incredible views of the Colosseum, this bar in Palazzo Manfredi can't be beat. Bar manager Matteo "Zed" Zamberlan cut his teeth in New York's top drinking establishments, and here his creativity is on full display. The cocktails are pricey, but they come with a bounty of snacks from the hotel's acclaimed restaurant.
Irish-Italian bartender Patrick Pistolesi worked his way up the ranks at establishments in Rome and New York City before opening this cocktail bar that's regarded as one of the world's best. His first solo venture is an expression of his bold aesthetic and philosophy of hospitality. Inspired by the Japanese cartoons he watched as a kid, the space is dark and dramatic with flashes of neon. The creative cocktails feature ingredients like ginger-lemongrass cordial and miso and arrive at your table impressively quickly. Pair them with Asian-inspired snacks like vegetable dumplings or BBQ pork-filled bao.
This upscale watering hole feels miles away from the packed alleyways of the rest of Trastevere. Not much larger than the vintage railroad car the bar is designed to resemble, the interior is swathed in blue velve, and the staff are dressed as porters from another age. The classic cocktail bar comes from the master mixologists behind Rome's most popular speakeasy and has a studied menu of mixed drinks, hard-to-find spirits, and a great selection of Champagne. Reservations are essential and can be made online.
With just eight seats, this is Rome’s smallest and quirkiest cocktail bar. Dedicated to a serious historical study of spirits and creative cocktails, Lonely Avenue (named for the Ray Charles song) has a catalog of over 400 drinks. While patrons are free to dictate a specific order, the bar operates more on conversation: the two expert mixologists kick off an easy dialogue (in Italian or English) on flavors and emotions in order to suggest and concoct the perfect personalized drink.
This bar may be the best place in the city to sample la dolce vita. Celebrities, blue bloods, and VIPs hang out in the gorgeous Piazzetta Valadier where cocktails are well above par. There's also a selection of coffees, teas, healthy smoothies, and a full food menu if you need to refuel. It's especially popular for aperitivo, when canapés are served alongside the drinks.
A coffee stand by day and cocktail bar by night, this outdoor establishment began life as a city tram car back in 1903. Now the historic carriage has been converted to a kiosk permanently stationed on a park corner with retro tables and garden seating. A trendy crowd descends at sunset for an evening Spritz, and seats are at a premium until the wee hours of the morning. Since it is entirely outside, Tram Depot is mainly open in the warmer months of the year (April through November); but weather permitting, the kiosk stays open on the weekends year-round.
This underground cocktail bar and lounge feels like a cross between a speakeasy and a gastropub. Mismatched vintage tables and chairs, rugs, exposed brick walls, and black-and-white photographs give it a shabby chic vibe. The creative cocktails are the main draw, but the burgers are also good. From 6 pm until 8 pm, you can get an aperitivo with a drink and a nice selection of small bites for €13–16.
This cozy spot outside the Vatican is furnished like a familiar living room with a giant leather sofa and armchairs, making it easy to meet the people sitting next to you. Aperitivo (Italian happy hour) is served every evening, with a selection of classic cocktails, wine, and beer, plus the option of adding a small plate for €5.
Nattily dressed businesspeople and harried tourists enjoy signature martinis at the street-side Café Doney, Via Veneto's grand dame, in front of the Westin Excelsior. The outdoor tables offer prime people-watching, while the seats inside are set under impossibly sparkly chandeliers.
This classy cocktail bar a few blocks from the Vatican makes you feel transported to a cozy salon in New York or London. In addition to some original creations, the bartenders make reliably good classics, including excellent dirty martinis. The kitchen stays open until midnight, so it's also a good spot for a late bite.
One of just a handful of hidden bars in Rome, this intimate bar looks like a Prohibition-era haunt and serves the kind of classic cocktails you find in New York speakeasies. It's seating room only, so reservations must be made online in advance. Upon booking, you'll receive a password via email. Serious cocktail aficionados can also purchase specialty bitters and mixology tools at the Emporium across the alley from the drinks spot.
Conveniently close to MAXXI and the Auditorium Parco della Musica, this hip lounge serves classic and creative cocktails as well as light bites in a two-story space with tables on the mezzanine and low sofas on the ground floor. The tapas-style menu is international, with offerings like guacamole and hummus, in addition to the popular maritozzo salato, a savory version of the Roman bun filled with tuna instead of cream, and a few heartier options, including a burger. Food is served until 1 am every night, and brunch is available on weekends.
This subterranean speakeasy is decked out in vintage decor inspired by motorcycle racing, with leather Chesterfield sofas and newspaper clippings plastered on the walls. Creative cocktails are fancifully presented and may arrive in an assortment of vessels, including a Moroccan lamp or a baby bottle. To access the bar, you'll have to become a member, which costs €5 (membership is valid for a year).
