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.
Food program: 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.
Address: Via del Politeama 4, 00153 Roma, Rome
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.
Argot in Rome's Centro Storico is the live-jazz cocktail bar with the city's strongest jazz programme four nights a week, a long classic-cocktail carte and a late-night kitchen.
Signature drink: Classic cocktails, jazz
Food: Small plates, late-night kitchen
Tip: Open Tue-Sun 19:00 to 02:00. The jazz nights run Wed to Sat from 22:00; book the back tables.
Cul de Sac in Rome's Centro Storico is the 1977-founded enoteca with a 1500-label Italian cellar, the long-bench room and the late-night Roman small plates kitchen until 24:00.
Signature drink: Italian regional wines, by the glass
Food: Salumi, cheese, Roman small plates
Tip: Open daily 12:00 to 16:00 and 18:00 to 24:00. No bookings; queue from 19:00 for benches.
