Must-see nightlife in Venice

Famously mentioned in Casanova's memoirs, cosy 'Two Spades' was founded in 1488 and continues to keep Venice in good spirits with its bargain Tri-Veneto…

The oldest still-operating cafe in Europe and one of the first to welcome women, Florian maintains rituals (if not prices) established in 1720: besuited…

An hour's changeover is all it takes for historic Caffè dei Frari to transform itself into its night-time guise as Venice's best cocktail bar. If you can…

Wine lovers should stake out a place in this small, upmarket and extremely welcoming bar and let owner Francesco guide them through the range of naturally…

Find a spot in the wood-lined interior or, in summer, on the boat moored out the front along the canal, and watch the motley parade of drinkers and…

With its wooden bar and gleaming brass beer taps, this Anglo-Venetian hostelry certainly looks authentic. Marciano takes booze seriously, stocking craft…

Lining the exposed-brick walls of this canalside bar are small-production wines, including a great selection of natural and biodynamic labels. The cicheti…

There’s something of a mini beer craze developing along Fondamente dei Ormesini, and Birreria Zanon is the latest contender, wooing customers with its…

Gritti Palace's beautiful Bar Longhi may be pricey, but if you consider your surrounds – Fortuny fabrics, an intarsia marble bar, 18th-century mirrors and…

Powdered wigs seem appropriate inside this baroque bar-cafe that's been serving happy hours since 1638. During Carnevale, costumed Quadri revellers party…

There may be flocks of tourists outside, but the Londra Palace is a haven of serenity and its sleek bar, decked out in wood and white leather, is like a…

A living room where drinks are served, this locals' hang-out comes complete with creaky sofas, free wi-fi, abandoned novels and the occasional live-music…

Marco Nordio has filled his jam-packed wine store in characterful Calle de le Botteghe with a stash of unusual Veneto and Italian wines, as well as some…

Get here early for first crack at marinated artichokes and sarde in saor (sardines in sweet and sour sauce), and to claim a few square inches of ledge for…

Opera composer Richard Wagner had the right idea: when Venice leaves you weak at the knees, get a pick-me-up at Lavena. An espresso at the mirrored bar is…

Sunset photo ops don’t come any better than on the terrace of the Habsburg-era Villa Laguna, with views over San Marco framed by a blushing pink sky…

There's always a party on at Strani thanks to its excellent selection of beers on tap, well-priced glasses of Veneto wines and platters of sopressa (soft…

Although the bars along Via Garibaldi may look interchangeable, the queue for El Rèfolo’s pavement tables says otherwise. Part of the draw is the ever…

So much more than a cafe, Le Café serves everything from croissants to pasta to cocktails – but the real reason to come here is to enjoy a drink at the…

This bijou bar serves sandwiches and substantial snacks throughout the day, alongside an excellent selection of wine. Large windows make the most of the…