Langhe, Roero & Monferrato
This friendly enoteca is run by passionate young staff who will talk you through their good stock of local wines – from a cheap and cheerful Nebbiolo or…
Must-see nightlife in Mediterranean Europe
Ayvalık
One of the town's best-loved and most historic cafes, Şeytan Kahvesi (the Devil’s Coffeehouse) was named after the current owner’s grandfather, who…
Trentino & South Tyrol
Take a seat at the long communal table, crafted from the wood of a 250-year-old oak tree, at fourth-generation winemaker Alois Lageder's biodynamic…
Parma
Owner Marco has done up this cosy neighbourhood bar, fashioning a draught distribution system made from recycled farming irrigation piping, with tap…
Marsala
Run by Tuscan-Sicilian couple Anna and Francesco, this irresistible enoteca is a gorgeous spot to quaff Marsala wines with locally sourced salumi (cold…
Syracuse
Take an aristocratic courtyard, add an intimate interior kitted out in vintage coffee tables and a Chesterfield lounge, and you have Cortile Verga. This…
Trieste
Opening just before WWI, and a favourite of writers Svevo, Saba and Joyce, this Viennese Secession giant is spectacularly decorated with theatrical mask…
Milan
Milan’s creative crowd loves to hang at this multifunctional space incorporating a handsome vintage-style bar with club chairs and chesterfields; a 30…
Istanbul
A magnificent panorama of the city can be enjoyed from the spacious outdoor terrace of this popular student cafe in a ramshackle building located in the…
Thessaloniki
A little out of the way, this is the place to go for rembetika (urban 'blues') and other unamplified strains of traditional Greek song. Three brothers…
Genoa
One of Genoa's surfeit of crumbling palazzi is being put to excellent use in this atmospheric cocktail bar. Three bearded, vest-wearing, red-headed…
La Latina & Lavapiés
We could go on for hours about this long-standing cafe-bar, but we’ll reduce it to its most basic elements: nursing an exceptionally good mojito or three…
Catania
The 11km drive southwest of central Catania is worth it: this is one of Sicily's finest clubs, with top-tier Italian and international DJs and live-music…
Le Serre dei Giardini Margherita
Bologna
Bologna's best time: parking yourself, with an Aperol spritz (€4) in hand, among the cool kids and digital nomads at these formerly abandoned city…
Bologna
Ditch the city centre and venture just outside Bologna's ring road to a distinctly unremarkable apartment block where one of the city's best craft-beer…
Perugia
Follow the lead of students and clued-up locals by searching out this artsy little backstreet bar for an early evening aperitivo. Until 9.30pm you can…
Antalya
This perch on the cliff edge is a superb choice at sunset, attracting a crowd of young Turks with its affordable drinks. Service can be slow, but the…
Lago Trasimeno
This is the most consistently packed spot on Castiglione del Lago's main drag, and for good reason. Ricardo, armed with a wealth of wine knowledge,…
Reggio Emilia
Dapper, well-trained mixologists whip up sinfully good cocktails (€8) amid vintage radios, leather sofas, an old jukebox and even a hanging bicycle at…
L'Eixample
At this rhapsody to wine, the digital menu details over 3000 international varieties searchable by origin, year or grape, with 50 selections available by…
Val d'Orcia
Located underneath Palazzo Piccolomini and accessed via the staircase between the palace and the duomo, this hybrid cafe and cocktail bar in the former…
Catania
There's no drinks list at this intimate cocktail den, decked out in mismatched furniture, gilded mirrors and the odd gramophone. Simply state your flavour…
Catania
Vermouth, vino and salumi (charcuterie) keep this budget-friendly hotspot pumping. Scattered with vintage liquor posters and old wooden tables, its ample…
Trabzon
One of central Trabzon's most alternative cafe corners, Sazz occupies a funky old house. Favoured summer seating is on low, cushioned stools alongside a…
Agropoli
The best place for an afternoon pausa (break) in Agropoli is the leather-seated, art deco-tinged Nero Café, although the intended ‘pause’ could turn into…
Trieste
Simply the best place in Trieste for sundowners is this bar perched atop the Marina San Giusto yacht club. Dressed with artificial grass and potted plants…
Palermo
Once a hardware store, this genuinely cool, piazza-side bar-eatery now fixes long days with well-mixed cocktails and clued-in vino. Rotating wines by the…
Trabzon
Harry Potter fans prepare to be bewitched. Dress up for a selfie in a wizzard's gown holding the wand of your choice in a room dangling with candles and a…
Pamplona
Opened on the eve of Sanfermines in 1888, Café Iruña’s dominant position on the main square, powerful sense of history and belle époque decor make this by…
Pelion Peninsula
A hand-painted sign, just north of Horto, points out the 200m path down to this delightful cafe alongside the Diplomats’ Holidays complex. Themed for the…
Val d'Orcia
Roberto Rappuoli is a devotee of craft beer who operates a sleek but petite brewery and tap room in the fortified medieval hill town of San Quirico d…
Noto
Sophisticated, LGBT-friendly and irrefutably cool, 'Even the Angels' is the place to schmooze in Noto. A cafe-bar, lounge, restaurant and concept store in…
Palermo
Decked out in contemporary art and eclectic objets, bohemian Bocum was Palermo’s first proper cocktail bar and remains one of its best. While the ground…
Taormina
This so-svelte cocktail-lounge sports a new look every year, with each concept inspired by Sicilian culture, artisans and landscape. It's the place to be…
Naples
If you take your cocktails seriously, slip into this sultry, speakeasy-inspired den. Wrapped in art nouveau wallpaper, it's the domain of Neapolitan…
Burgos
This wildly popular bar is a Burgos classic perfect for first drinks. That time-honoured Spanish tradition of a pre-meal vermut (vermouth, or martini)…
La Rambla & Barri Gòtic
From the welcoming team behind the terrific Formatgeria La Seu (next door) comes this teensy, intimate, cavern-like bar where Catalan (Penedès, Empordà)…
El Raval
Originally a wandering pop-up bar, seriously edgy yet refreshingly unpretentious Swedish-run Two Schmucks has become one of Barcelona's (and Europe's)…
Cagliari
Offering some of the best views in town, this modish Castello bar has panoramic seating on top of the city’s medieval ramparts. If the weather’s being…
Trabzon
If you climb up through the forgettable lower floors of Trabzon's historic covered marketplace (Bedestan), you emerge in this magical, low-lit space of…
