Despite its plethora of tourist-packed bars, streets, and canals, Venice, Italy, has a surprisingly low-key nightlife. Unlike Rome or other Italian cities where parties often spread through the streets and last until the wee hours of the morning, Venice closes early, when most visitors return to their hotels after a tiring day of sightseeing. Still, for those looking for an after dinner drink, live music, or just a chance to mingle with the locals, Venice doesn’t roll down the sidewalks after dark.
Here are our top picks for some of the best bars and clubs in Venice, as well as the good bar districts.
Campo Santa Margherita
Direction
Campo Santa Margherita, 30123 Venice VE, ItalyGet directions
With its proximity to the Università Ca ‘Foscari and its distance (about 2 kilometers) from Piazza San Marco, it is not surprising that this lively square lined with bars, one of the largest in Venice, attracts a younger crowd. More local and later -night crowd. Pick a bar, any bar, from the 10 or so drinking establishments facing the field. Favorites include Margaret DuChamp and Caffe Rosso. Most of them stay open until 1 or 2 in the morning, every night of the week.
Cannaregio Canal
Direction
Canal Cannaregio, 30121 Venice, Metropolitan City of Venice, ItalyGet directions
Cannaregio is the most populated sestiere in Venice, so the bars along its fondamenta or in front of the canal on the Rio della Misericordia tend to be cheap, friendly and lively. This is a great area to come for dinner and linger for an after-dinner bar tour, with many places open until 1am. Il Paradiso Perduto, Al Timon and Vino Vero are local favorites.
Black coffee
Direction
30125 Venice, Metropolitan City of Venice, ItalyGet directions
Telephone
+39 041 200 7893
In the Dorsoduro sestiere , not far from the university, Cafe ‘Noir mixes highly creative cocktails and stays open late every night of the week, a winning combination in late-night Venice. They also have a great selection of wines and beers and, as almost everywhere in Venice, tasty appetizers and cicchetti if you need a snack.
Venice Jazz Club
Direction
Dorsoduro, 3102, 30123 Venice VE, ItalyGet directions
Telephone
+39 340 150 4985
Web
Visit the website
With live music from an in-house quartet or guest musicians most nights of the week, Venice Jazz Club is a quiet place to enjoy a concert and have a cocktail, wine, or beer. The musicians are first class and the atmosphere is dimly lit and bohemian, as you would expect a jazz club to be. Concerts start at 9 pm and end at 11 pm
American Bar Tarnowska’s
Direction
Campo Santa Maria del Giglio, 2494, 30124 Venice VE, ItalyGet directions
Telephone
+39 041 520 8333
Web
Visit the website
The atmosphere is upbeat and upbeat at this hotel bar, which serves tourists and locals alike. Friendly bartenders, good bar snacks, and a slightly cheesy scene keep things fun. In a corner of Venice that usually closes early, this is a lovely nighttime find, open until midnight. Live music is featured a few nights a week.
The Merchant
Direction
Fondamenta Frari, 2564, 30125 Venice VE, ItalyGet directions
Telephone
+39 041 476 7305
Web
Visit the website
Il Mercante sponsors come for the most artistically crafted handcrafted cocktails and they stay for the hip, young crowd, and lounge-like vibe of your more cultured friends. Venice’s history as a center for the spice trade is reflected in the creative and elaborate drinks and décor, which features antique maps and antique furniture.
Skyline Rooftop Bar
Direction
Giudecca, 810, 30133 Venice VE, ItalyGet directions
Telephone
+39 041 272 3316
Web
Visit the website
Perched atop the Hilton Molino Stucky on Giudecca Island, the Skyline Rooftop Bar is famous for its splendid views of the Venice skyline. It is also an incredibly stylish place to have a martini or one of the bar’s custom cocktails. Warm-weather events can include jazz concerts or DJ sets.
Harry’s Bar
Direction
Calle Vallaresso, 1323, 30124 Venice VE, ItalyGet directions
Telephone
+39 041 528 5777
Web
Visit the website
There are some cliches in Venice: gondolier singing is one of them and Harry’s Bar is another. And while Harry draws a lot more tourists than locals, it’s still fun to have a drink at a bar where Hemingway did the same. The Bellini cocktail was invented here, and extra dry martinis are a house specialty. Drinks are expensive, because all that history and atmosphere costs more.
Florian coffee
Direction
Piazza San Marco, 57, 30124 Venice VE, ItalyGet directions
Telephone
+39 041 520 5641
Web
Visit the website
Harry’s Bar may have its literary cachet, but Caffè Florian has a front seat in one of the best scenes in the Western world: St. Mark’s Square. Opened in 1720, the cafe bills itself as the oldest in Europe. Whether in its gilded salons or on the expansive terrace of the square proper, have a dizzyingly expensive drink and an experience to savor for a lifetime.
Casino of Venice
Direction
Cannaregio, 2040, 30121 Venice VE, ItalyGet directions
Telephone
+39 041 529 7111
Web
Visit the website
Night owls with money to burn could take a chance at the Casinò di Venezia, or the Venice Casino, which has been separating guests from their cash since 1638. The casino, which is much more formal and moderate than those in Las Vegas or almost anywhere else in the world, you will find yourself in a 15th century palace. Smart casual dress is the norm, and drinks aren’t free, but are open until 2:45 a.m.
Rialto / Fondamenta Vin Castello
Direction
Rialto, 30125 Venice VE, ItalyGet directions
As you cross the Rialto Bridge from San Marco, just turn right at the Fondamenta Vin Castello and you will soon find a cluster of restaurants that will happily serve you an after dinner drink. Though few remain open after 11pm or midnight, this is a lively stretch of pavement to watch for boat traffic on this busy stretch of the Grand Canal.
Master’s Discos
Direction
Mestre, Venice, Metropolitan City of Venice, ItalyGet directions
If DJs, dark discos, and dancing until the wee hours of the morning are a requirement during your trip to Venice, do as young Venetians do and head to the mainland to Mestre. Cavernous spaces, affordable rents, and an industrial vibe mean the party can go on until dawn. New places seem to come and go, but Molocinque has survived and is still popular. Berry Juice is a gay-friendly place.
Lido and Jesolo summer clubs
Direction
Lido di Jesolo, Metropolitan City of Venice, ItalyGet directions
When things get too wet in Venice, young Venetians head to Lido or Jesolo, the two seaside towns on the narrow strips of land that separate the lagoon from the Adriatic Sea. Here, the summer chiringuitos only rent loungers and umbrellas during the day, then turn into noisy discos at night. To catch a glimpse of a very Italian part of the nightlife, it’s a lot of fun. Aurora Beach Club is one of the fancier selections.
