27 Best Bars in Venice, Italy

The Gritti Palace is home to one of the most exclusive watering holes in town (though thankfully open to the public), lined with 18th-century paintings and Murano chandeliers. You can also enjoy your cocktail on the patio with prime views onto the Grand Canal.

Just outside Piazza San Marco (near the Museo Correr), Hotel Luna Baglioni's pleasant bar—complete with 16th-century art pieces and an 18th-century fireplace—is perfect for an intimate chat in the cold winter months.

The sign above the door simply says "CAFFÈ," but it has long since been called "Bar Rosso" for its bright-red exterior. The ideal people-watching spot on one of the busiest campos, it has far more tables outside than inside. A favorite with students and faculty from the nearby university, it's a good place to start the day with coffee and croissant, or to enjoy a drink. 

When the clock strikes 6 pm, historic Caffè dei Frari transforms into this lively craft cocktail bar that will dazzle your inner adventurer. Relax on a velvet sofa while savoring remarkably inventive drinks paired with flavorful small bites. Each pairing has a distinctive name; "Amatriciana" is composed of vodka, dry vermouth, and black tea, served with Parmesan foam, pineapple gel, and balsamic vinegar (billed as "strong, smoky, tasty").

For arguably the best views of Venice anywhere, visit this buzzy eighth-floor hotel cocktail bar. There are regular DJ and live music events during the summer months.

Although this popular place consists only of a kiosk set up to serve some outdoor tables, it is located on the Zattere and thus provides a wonderful view of the Giudecca Canal. It's a handy meet-up spot for locals, especially students from the nearby university, and a useful stop-off for tourists in nice weather for a spritz or a panino. Keep in mind, though, that "the kiosk" exists for quick refreshments and not for lingering. The view and the sunshine (and especially the sunset) are the main draw; the food and drink, while acceptable, are not exceptional.

It is easy to see why this place is popular with the locals, offering fairly priced cocktails, a reasonable assortment of cicheti, and a good selection of Italian wine, but the warm ambience, friendly staff, and occasional live jazz are the main draws. The kitchen stays open until late.

Even if you're not staying at Hotel Danieli, it’s worth a stop to marvel at its bar's over-the-top decor inside a 14th-century palace. Though pricey, it's a highly atmospheric place to sample their signature Vesper martini or another cocktail of your choice, usually accompanied by live piano music.

Mestre's casino, near the airport, has slots, blackjack, craps, poker, and roulette. The minimum age is 18, and there's no dress code.

The odd name is Venetian for "smirk," although you'll be hard-pressed to find one at this cheery, familiar bacaro with a wine selection as ample as the cicheti on offer. The spread of delectables ranges from classic polpette of meat and tuna to tomino cheese rounds to speck and robiola rolls, and the selection of wines is equally intriguing. There's often live jazz and blues on Friday and Saturday nights. El Sbarlefo has a second location in Dorsoduro, in the calle just behind the church of San Pantalon.

Just a few steps from Campo Santa Margherita, this is one of the rare locales that has a kitchen serving until midnight also offers a bar menu until 2. It's also a good spot for nightcap—you can expect a fairly lively atmosphere right up until closing time.

The popular Italo-Irish pub Inishark, located midway between San Marco and Rialto, is known for its variety of international beers, live music, and live sports on the TV.

The French-sounding name befits this artfully minimalist café-brasserie in Campo Santa Margherita. Classic Venetian cocktails are served alongside warm sandwiches and light salads all day until 2 am. The tables face westward, so there's lots of sun in the afternoon.

At the friendliest of the several bar-restaurants that line the Erbaria, near the Rialto markets, enjoy a cocktail outside, along the Canal Grande, or at a cozy table inside the renovated 16th-century warehouse. Although the food is acceptable, the ambience is really the main attraction. After the kitchen closes at 10:30, light snacks are served until midnight, and there is live music (usually jazz, Latin, or rock) occasionally on Sunday evening. On summer evenings, especially the weekend, the market area draws crowds of young people from Venice, the lagoon islands, and the mainland.

Modern, hip, and complemented by an internal garden, this welcoming bar anchors the south end of Campo Santa Margherita, the liveliest campo in Venice. You can have piadine (thin flatbread) sandwiches, salads, and drinks while watching soccer games on a massive screen inside, or sit at the tables facing the campo. Despite being close to the university, Orange is frequented primarily by young working people from the mainland and tourists.

The city-run casino in splendid Palazzo Vendramin-Calergi is a classic scene of well-dressed high rollers playing French roulette, Caribbean poker, chemin de fer, 30–40, and slots. You must be at least 18 to enter, and men must wear jackets after 8:30 pm to access the "VIP" area.

Paradiso Perduto has been catering to night owls since the '80s with drinks, wine, and slightly overpriced fish dishes (a better option is the cicheti). The old piano has witnessed Chet Baker and Archie Shepp jams, and the place still serves up live music—mainly local and international jazz groups. It attracts young people and students alongside tourists, creating a very lively atmosphere. In temperate weather, patrons fill the fondamenta until they're shooed away.

Piccolo Mondo is the city's only disco, still going strong since 1963 (it was renovated in 2018).

This popular neighborhood hangout is decorated in wood and brick and has a couple of tables that have a great view of the canal. There are beers on tap and plenty of wine and sandwich choices from 10 am to 1 am.

Guinness and gab flow freely from 5 pm to 1 am at this pub, a favorite expat and student hangout since the 1990s. There are Irish, Italian, and Belgian brews plus cider on tap, as well as sports on TV and occasional live music, either Irish or rock. Small sandwiches are available until late (the segalini are divine).

This spot hosts the only live jazz concerts in town; the cover gets you a concert, a table, and your first drink. They also serve cold cuts and sandwiches from when the doors open at 7 pm until the music begins at 9 pm. It's best to reserve a table (and you can book through the website).

Owner Federico is on the piano while his band plays live jazz, in styles including classic, modern, Latin jazz, and bossa nova, at this intimate venue. Concerts usually start at 9 pm every night except Thursday and Sunday, and dinner is available beforehand for an extra charge.

This kiosk bar is very popular on warm summer evenings with Venetians and tourists. Although there's food, it's mostly limited to conventional Venetian sandwiches and commercial ice cream. The most interesting thing about the place is its location with a view of the church of Santa Maria Formosa, which makes it a pleasant place for a drink and a good place for people-watching.