Elba
Steps lead down from the panoramic terrace at the far end of the central Piazza Matteotti to this party-hot enoteca (wine bar), a strictly after-dinner…
Must-see nightlife in Italy
Monti, Esquilino & San Lorenzo
One of Monti's best bars, this multiroomed speakeasy in a former monastery has an eclectic vintage-style decor and plenty of cosy corners where you can…
Porta Garibaldi & Isola
How to define oTTo? It’s where you go to feel at home when you don’t want to be at home (or in your hotel). Come here for breakfast; hang out with the…
Sorrento
Welcome to a new and very Italian concept: a cocktail bar doubling up as an interior-design store. That elegant sofa you’re sipping a negroni on is for…
Parma
In the heart of Parma's animated Strada Farini drinking scene is this classy but friendly wine bar run by a personable ex-rugby player. In warm weather,…
Catania
Svelte, convivial, urbane Rix takes its cocktails seriously. Each is made with passion and precision, from punchy Aviations to a very local Etna Kir …
Naples
Housed on the 1st floor of the Lanificio – a Bourbon-era wool factory and 15th-century cloister turned culture hub – Spazio Intolab draws an easy, arty,…
Verona
While vino is the primary consideration at this historic, baronial-style wine bar (the cellar holds around 18,000 bottles), the linen-lined tables promise…
Catania
From the quality of the cocktails to the attentive staff, Fud Off just gets it. This is one of Catania's top bars, a slinky, cavernous space of tinted…
Pistoia
This warm, vibrant cafe with its own bakery (superb breads) and flowery courtyard garden buzzes with local life. Sip an espresso at the bar, chat with…
Trieste
Sandwiched between the Rotonda Pancera and the Roman Arco di Riccardo in pretty Piazza Barbacan is this popular local wine bar with piazza seating. It’s a…
Friuli Venezia Giulia
This elegant osteria both sells and serves some of the best Friulano and Collio wines alongside a short, seasonal menu featuring asparagus soufflé with…
Corso Magenta & Sant'Ambrogio
If you’re looking for an elegant coffee accompanied by a delicate array of biscuits and pastries, this is the place for you, although you may have to…
Lucca
With a giant canvas cream parasol providing shade and a tinkling stone fountain the atmospheric soundtrack, cafe terraces don't get much better than this…
Livorno
Live music, craft beer, creative bar cuisine and fabulous cocktails lure a local party set to this red-brick cellar bar, right by a canal in Piccola…
Palermo
Hugely popular with 30- and 40-plus locals, Hic! is never short of a fun crowd, spilling out onto the footpath in a sea of banter and reasonably priced…
Milan
At the end of super-chic Via Solferino you’ll find this lovely gastropub where Piedmontese brewer Teo Musso serves his line of Baladin craft beers…
Milan
This small, spare bar at the quieter end of the Navigli Grande harbours a generous and unusual selection of natural and biodynamic wines. Servers are…
Lake Iseo
A short stroll from the riverfront, this buzzing and jovial wine bar serves up phenomenal Italian vintages by the glass or bottle. Local varieties like…
Porta Garibaldi & Isola
Only octogenarians make use of the table at the back – everyone else hovers near the beautiful old bar, balancing plates of bruschetta and holding glasses…
Manarola
On a wave-kissed promontory overlooking the pastel-coloured houses of Manarola, this leafy terrace bar makes a magical setting for a sundowner. Great wine…
Centro Storico
This authentic, old-school vino e olio (wine and oil) shop has everything you could want in a wine bar: a woody, bottle-lined interior, a cheerful crowd…
Enna
Housed in a former chapel of the adjacent cathedral, Al Kenisa is Enna's best spot for an aperitivo, glass of wine or craft beer. Books and art prints are…
The Veneto
A cocktail bar in a palace, what’s not to like? Other than the glamorous environment and towering bar, there’s live jazz and cabaret. Most of the classic…
Southern Tuscany
Owner Magdy Lamei may not be a local (he's from Cairo), but it would be hard to find anyone else as knowledgeable and passionate about local artisanal…
Milan
In a city full of designer drinking dens, the Bamboo Bar literally raises the bar with its double-height windows offering up incredible city views. Expert…
Lecce
Just maybe Lecce's best Negroni cocktail is a fine reason to adjourn to Quanta Basta's outdoor tables for your nightly aperitivi session. Further…
Cagliari
A bookshop, a bar, a bistro? Cucina.eat is pretty much all these things with its central bar and ceiling-high shelves stocked with wines, olive oils,…
Perugia
This cool hang-out draws a steady stream of students and trendy urbanites throughout the day, for coffee and bagels at breakfast, light lunches, craft…
Southern Tuscany
Overlooking a small harbour framed by slopes of colourfully painted buildings, Giulia is a popular locals' haunt. Its waterside terrace is a picturesque…
Montepulciano
Established in 1868, Poliziano was lovingly restored to its original form 20 years ago and is the town's most atmospheric cafe. It serves excellent coffee…
Lake Garda
Welcome to wine country. You can get straight off the boat and into vino-tasting mode at this no-nonsense bar in the centre of town that looks and feels…
Lecce
All you need to know about Salento wine will be imparted by the hip staff at this cool joint near the Santa Croce church. Taster glasses are dispatched…
Matera
A short walk from Piazza Vittorio Veneto but off the tourist trail is this warm and welcoming bar specialising in Italian craft beer. Four rotating taps…
Padua
This unmissable piece of olde worlde European cafe culture takes you back to the days when Stendhal held court here. The cafe is divided into three rooms,…
Bellagio
A contender for Bellagio's most charming address, this cosy wine bar occupies a candlelit, stonewalled space tucked down a lane near the waterfront. The…
Genoa
The Puccini wafting up the laneway gives you some clue that this is a special little place. The owners here have a passion for good music and brilliant…
Bolzano (Bozen)
A perennial local favourite, Franzbar straddles the wine-bar/beer-hall and student/grown-up divides. Join the crowds for scrumptious tartine (miniature…
Como
The charm factor is high in this hip little cafe and drinking den. Stop by in the morning for fresh pastries (including vegan-friendly options) and…
Treviso
This dark speakeasy with a glittering bar stacked with top-quality spirits, unusual bitters and distillates is one of the top 10 bars in Italy. It stocks…
