The Spritz Veneziano is the city's signature aperitivo: a chilled glass of Prosecco with a bitter aperitif (Aperol, Select or Campari) and a splash of soda, garnished with an olive and an orange wedge.
Where to eat it: 4 restaurants across 1 city.
The Venetian spritz traces to the early 19th century, when Austrian soldiers in Habsburg-ruled Veneto spritzed local whites with sparkling water (the German verb spritzen, to spray). The bitter-aperitif version arrived in the 1920s with Select (1920, Pilla family of Padua) and Aperol (1919, Barbieri brothers, Padua); the modern Aperol-Prosecco-soda formula was codified at Venetian bacari postwar. Aperol Spritz became a global drink after Campari Group acquired Aperol in 2003; Select, the less-sweet original, is what Venetians actually drink. The 18:00 spritz at a campo bacaro is the canonical aperitivo move.
Tip from the editors. Use Prosecco DOC (not DOCG, too dry); the palate wants the floral Glera note. Select is the original Venetian aperitif; graduate from Aperol when ready.
Al Merca on Campo Bella Vienna near Rialto is the tiny walk-up bar where the mini panini cost €1.50 and the spritz €3.50, the canonical campo aperitivo.
Try: Spritz and mini panino
Tip: Closes 20:00. No interior space; the crowd stands on the campo. Cash and card accepted.
Cantina Do Mori in Venice's San Polo near Rialto is the 1462-founded bacaro, with francobolli sandwiches at €1.50 to €3, the cheapest historic-bar meal.
Try: Francobolli sandwiches and ombre
Tip: Cash only. Walk-in. Closed Sundays. The francobolli (postage-stamp-sized sandwiches) are the move; pair with ombre at €1.50.
Cantinone Gia Schiavi in Venice's Dorsoduro at the foot of Ponte San Trovaso is the De Rossi family bacaro since 1944, with house-made crostini and the canal.
Signature pour: Soave Classico and Recioto pours
Wine focus: Veneto whites, traditional ombre
Food: House-made crostini, polpette
Tip: Eat your crostini standing on the bridge; the bar inside is tiny. Closed Sunday afternoons. Family-run since 1944.
Bacareto Da Lele on Campo dei Tolentini in Venice's Santa Croce is the canonical budget bacaro, with €1 panini and €0.80 ombre served from a window.
Try: Panini and ombra
Tip: Cash only. Walk-up window; sit on the Tolentini church steps with your panino and ombra. Closed Sundays.
More cities are in research. Want spritz veneziano covered somewhere specific? Tell us where you want to eat.