Must see nightlife in San Polo & Santa Croce

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…

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…

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…

You'll feel like you've stepped into a Rembrandt painting at venerable 'Two Moors', a dark, rustic bar with roots in the 15th century. Under gleaming,…

The warm wood-panelled interior and huge selection of Veneto wines by the glass are just part of the popularity of this friendly bar-cum-restaurant. Other…

Sniff your way to the affable Doge, where dedicated drinkers slurp their way through the menu of speciality imported coffees, from Ethiopian to Guatemalan…

Pocket-sized Da Lele is perpetually jammed with students and workers, stopping for a cheap, stand-up ombra (small glass of wine; from €0.70) on their way…

Its name might mean stagger, but there's more to this party bar than its heady cocktail sessions and Friday-night DJ sets. Just steps away from the Rialto…

Positioned on Venice’s loveliest campo (square), this wine bar specialises in vini naturali (natural-process wines) – organic, biodynamic, wild-yeast…

Take your (admittedly expensive) espresso with a heaping of history at this atmospheric cafe, established in 1870, with its Tiffany-style lamps and…

Discerning drinkers throng to this cupboard-sized counter on a Rialto Market square to sip on top-notch prosecco and other wines by the glass (from €2)…

Set between the Rialto Bridge and Rialto Market, and with outdoor seating on the Grand Canal, Ancora is ideally positioned for a restorative spritz after…

Cosy and chic, this popular wine bar serves a range of exemplary wines from all over Italy as well as craft beers. Traditional bar snacks are available,…

This osteria, named for Casanova’s licentious poet pal Giorgio Baffo, is actually a converted chapel stripped to its naked brick walls. With strong spritz…