Court at Palazzo Manfredi in Rome is the rooftop cocktail bar with a direct view of the Colosseum from every seat, the signature classic-cocktail carte and full Aroma kitchen.
Food program: Aperitivo plates, full dinner carte
Tip: Open daily 18:00 to 24:00. Book the rooftop terrace four weeks ahead; sunset slots sell out first.
Address: Via Labicana 125, 00184 Roma, Rome
Salotto 42 in Rome's Centro Storico is the long-running cocktail bar opposite the Temple of Hadrian, with a vintage book-and-design library wall and a Roman aperitivo crowd at 19:00.
Signature drink: Negroni, classic cocktails
Food: Aperitivo plates, brunch on Saturday
Tip: Open daily 10:00 to 02:00. The piazza-facing terrace fills first at sunset; book at the front bar.
Freni e Frizioni in Rome's Trastevere is the converted-garage cocktail bar with the city's most generous aperitivo buffet from 19:00, plus a long classic-cocktail and amaro list.
Signature drink: Aperitivo buffet, classic cocktails
Food: Aperitivo buffet, light dinner
Tip: Open daily 18:00 to 02:00. The aperitivo buffet at 10 euros with a cocktail is the value entry; arrive 19:00.
The Hassler Bar in Rome at the Hassler Hotel is the historic cocktail bar opposite the Trinita dei Monti, with classic cocktails, the marble counter and the Roma social-set crowd.
Signature drink: Hassler Spritz, Negroni
Food: Aperitivo plates, light carte
Tip: Open daily 11:00 to 02:00. The piazza-facing window seats are the request for sunset.
Club Derriere in Rome's Centro Storico is the speakeasy behind Etabli, with a 1920s-era cocktail carte and the city's quietest dark-corner bar by the Pantheon.
Signature drink: Signature cocktails, prohibition classics
Food: Small snacks, late-night plates
Tip: Entry via the Etabli restaurant; ask for the back room. Open 22:00 to 03:00; closed Sunday.
Barnum Cafe in Rome's Centro Storico is the all-day cafe with a strong cocktail list after 18:00, a natural-wine selection by the glass and a brunch carte on weekend mornings.
Signature drink: Signature cocktails, natural wine
Food: Brunch, dinner carte
Tip: Open daily 09:00 to 23:00. The Sunday brunch sets cost 22 euros; book a week ahead.
Co.So. in Rome's Pigneto district is Massimo D'Addezio's cocktail bar with the famous Carbonara Sour, a long Italian-spirit-led cocktail carte and a popular weekend crowd to 02:00.
Signature drink: Carbonara Sour, regional Italian cocktails
Food: Italian small plates, aperitivo
Tip: Open Tue-Sun 19:00 to 02:00. The Carbonara Sour is 13 euros; book the back booths a week ahead.
