There are two stages of nightlife in Rome: early and late. The first part of the night always begins with an aperitif , Italy’s answer to happy hour. Considering that dinner rarely starts before 8pm, the aperitif is the perfect way to unwind with a cocktail and some earlier appetizers, although some neighborhood spots even offer a full buffet starting at 6pm.
Clubs and bars belong to the last (or later) category of Roman nightlife. Considering that dinner is always after 8pm, these hotspots don’t really start until midnight, and you’ll feel pretty lonely if you show up before 11pm.
As for the coolest areas for a night out in Rome, the best dance clubs are found a bit outside the center, in neighborhoods like Ostiense and San Giovanni. Testaccio was also once known for its nightclubs carved out of the Monte Testaccio side, but these have declined in popularity in recent years. Other areas, such as Pigneto and San Lorenzo, are known for their large student population, cheap beers, and outdoor crowds that go pub to pub on Friday and Saturday nights.
In the summer months, white carp line the river banks along the river near Tiber Island. These open-air bars and restaurants are the most popular for evening drinks, but stay open until the early hours of the morning.
Just remember: while there are rarely enforced dress codes, Romans tend to dress to impress. Staying a step above the casual is always a good idea when it comes to enjoying Rome’s varied nightlife. And don’t worry if you end up burning the midnight oil – there will be plenty of espresso available for you to continue the next day.
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The Jerry Thomas project
Rome’s most famous speakeasy has been recognized as one of the best bars in the world thanks to its dedication to mixology. If you want to try their unique concoctions, you need to make a reservation first, then check the daily password on the website before you arrive. Inside, the small bar is packed with cool Rome people, dressed in black and smoking while sipping cocktails made with the bar’s own bitters and specially imported spirits from around the world.
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Hate
Direction
Via Giuseppe Libetta, 13, 00154 Rome RM, ItalyGet directions
Telephone
+39 06 574 8277
Web
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With room for over 700 partiers, Goa is one of the most popular nightclubs in Rome. The club is located in Ostiense, an urban area just outside of central Rome that is known for its street art and (increasingly) nightlife options. The techno club regularly reserves international DJs for its lively Thursday, Friday and Saturday night lineups. Once you’ve danced, sink into one of the couches in the bar area for one last drink.
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But What You Have Come To Fa
Direction
Via Benedetta, 25, 00153 Rome RM, ItalyGet directions
Telephone
+39 06 6456 2046
Web
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Serious beer drinkers have to look no further than this little pub on a small street behind Piazza Trilussa in Trastevere. The craft beer scene has grown significantly in Rome in recent years, but Ma Che Siete Venuti a Fa (which translates to “but what did you come here to do?”) Was one of the first and remains one of the top. The laid-back bar staff and patrons are here to sip hard-to-find craft beers from Italy and Europe and enjoy the laid-back atmosphere where most patrons end up chatting outside with a pint in hand when the narrow bar gets too crowded.
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Bar del Fico
Direction
Piazza del Fico, 26, 00186 Rome RM, ItalyGet directions
Telephone
+39 06 6889 1373
Web
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This bar just minutes from Piazza Navona is a staple in Roman nightlife, but it actually keeps busy from early in the morning. A cafe with chess players during the day, the crowd gets younger when the aperitif arrives. Pay for your drink first and then take the receipt to the bartender to see how your cocktail is created with a little flair. However, the bar’s most popular feature is its outdoor patio that fills with an ever-growing crowd as the night progresses.
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Blackmarket Mountains
Direction
Via Panisperna, 101, 00184 Rome RM, ItalyGet directions
Telephone
+39 339 822 7541
Web
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This cozy cocktail bar and occasional music venue fits in perfectly with the general bohemian vibe of the Monti neighborhood. Stuffed with a mix of antique furniture, Blackmarket is comprised of a maze of small rooms that are perfect for everything from people watching to privacy, depending on your mood. The intimate setting is dark and art-filled, adding to the low-key, romantic setting.
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Drink Kong
Direction
Piazza di S. Martino Ai Monti, 8, 00154 Rome RM, ItalyGet directions
Telephone
+39 06 2348 8666
Web
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The 1980s live in this thoroughly modern hotspot in Monti. The neon lights and Blade Runner-style decor may be throwbacks, but the cocktail bar drinks are truly futuristic. Drink Kong is the startup of Patrick Pistolesi, one of Rome’s most famous bartenders, and the carefully crafted cocktails are the star of the show. To complete your evening, stop by when there is live music or come on any day to savor small plates of international tapas-style food.
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Alcazar Live
Direction
Via Cardinale Merry del Val, 14b, 00153 Rome RM, ItalyGet directions
Telephone
+39 339 127 8354
Web
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Located in the heart of Trastevere, Live Alcazar is a music and club venue located inside a former cinema. The bar has a regularly changing line of touring musicians, most of whom play jazz and funk, but there are also regular DJ nights for a more dance club feel. The bar specializes in cocktails, and you can also reserve a table in the restaurant that overlooks the stage from the second floor. The crowd here tends to be a bit more subdued than dance lovers who flock to techno clubs outside of the city center, but the energy is still adequate for a good night out.
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Scholars Lounge Irish Pub
Direction
Via del Plebiscito, 101 / b, 00186 Rome RM, ItalyGet directions
Telephone
+39 06 6920 2208
Web
Visit the website
Scholars Lounge was recently named Best Irish Pub in the World at the Irish Pubs Global Awards in Dublin. The lively bar is arguably the largest Irish pub in Rome and draws a large international crowd on weekend nights and when big games are played. Filled with screens, this is the best sports bar in Rome, and they will put almost any international game on TV on demand. They also host weekly nights dedicated to trivia and karaoke and often have live music. The central location means this bar is popular and priced slightly higher, but pints are always served by charming Irish bartenders.
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Necci since 1924
Direction
Via Fanfulla da Lodi, 68, 00176 Rome RM, ItalyGet directions
Telephone
+39 06 9760 1552
Web
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Pigneto, one of the most popular neighborhoods in Rome for all night owls, is best known for its cheap drinks and the lively crowd that gathers along the main street to hop between bars. However, one of the oldest bars in the working-class area is still one of the best in the city. Necci dal 1924 is the kind of place to command an American to take a sip under the twinkling lights on the patio and has great energy at night, while also having pockets where it is quiet enough to have a conversation with. friends.
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Circle of the Illuminati
Direction
Via Giuseppe Libetta, 1, 00154 Rome RM, ItalyGet directions
Telephone
+39 327 761 5286
Web
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This huge club between the Ostiense and Garbatella areas of Rome is one of the best stops for house and electronic music. With three different rooms, there is always a different sound (and a dance crowd) ready to go. DJs like Skrillex have performed at Circolo degli Illuminati, but even when there is no international lineup, Saturday night is always a good time.
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The Goccetto
Direction
Via dei Banchi Vecchi, 14, 00186 Rome RM, ItalyGet directions
Web
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What is Rome without wine? Cocktails are often the drink of choice for Romans on a true night out, but quieter nights call for the perfect bottle of Italian wine inside Rome’s sweetest wine bar. Il Goccetto gives up most of its bar space to its extensive wine selection, but there are a few tables between the stacks of bottles. It’s not much of a tragedy if there are no seats available because the best thing to do is grab your glass outside for a sip while watching the Vespas go by on the little cobblestone street right outside your door.
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Zuma
Direction
Via della Fontanella di Borghese, 48, 00186 Rome RM, ItalyGet directions
Telephone
+39 06 9926 6622
Web
Visit the website
Perched atop Palazzo Fendi, where the Italian luxury brand has its flagship store, Zuma is nothing but elegant. The Japanese-inspired bar serves signature cocktails, as well as Italian wines by the glass, as well as small appetizers such as edamame or crispy calamari. Not only is the bar above the Fendi store, but it is also in the heart of Rome’s trendiest district, so customers tend to look like they just stepped off an airstrip. The cozy indoor lounge is perfect for a few drinks, but the bar is best in summer when cocktails are served on the rooftop terrace overlooking Via Condotti, Rome’s best shopping street.
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Coho Apartment
Direction
Via del Tritone, 118, 00187 Rome RM, ItalyGet directions
Telephone
+39 334 345 9735
Coho is where the young and beautiful of Rome come to see and be seen. The modern space is designed to resemble your more modern friend’s uptown loft and is filled with couches with views of the cityscape below. But not everything is resting and preening, there is also another floor to dance and an extensive list of drinks for all tastes.
