Cocktails, wine bars and dives: drinking in Venice for grown-ups.
Cocktail bars, wine bars, dive bars and gastropubs: drinking in Venice for grown-ups.
Harry's Bar on Calle Vallaresso has run since 1931, the Cipriani family room where the Bellini was invented, the canonical historic-bar stop near San Marco.
DrinkBellini (white peach puree + Prosecco)
FoodClassic Cipriani plates and snacks
TipGround-floor bar is the value play; the Bellini at €22 is the canonical pour. Upstairs is the dining room with separate booking.
Experimental Cocktail Club in Il Palazzo Experimental in Venice's Dorsoduro on the Zattere is the modern cocktail room with Cristina Celestino interiors.
DrinkItalian-ingredient cocktails by the resident bartender
FoodBar snacks from Adriatica next door
TipClosed Tuesdays and Wednesdays. The signature menu refresh hit June 2025; ask for the seasonal flight. The back garden bar runs in summer.
Bar Longhi inside The Gritti Palace on Campo Santa Maria del Giglio is the Murano-lamp bar with the Pietro Longhi 18th-century paintings, the canonical Grand.
DrinkBellini Longhi, Negroni at the Gritti
FoodBar snacks, the Gritti's afternoon tea
TipThe patio with the Grand Canal view runs spring through autumn. Cocktails start around €22; the Longhi Bellini variant is the move.
Al Merca on Campo Bella Vienna near Rialto is the tiny walk-up bar where locals stop for an ombra, the canonical aperitivo standing-room in San Polo.
DrinkSpritz al Select, ombra
FoodMini crostini and panini
TipNo interior space; the crowd stands on the campo. Closes hard at 20:00. Spritz €3.50, ombra €1.50.
Devil's Forest Pub on Calle Stagneri near Rialto is one of the rare Irish-style late-night rooms in San Marco, open to 01:00 with live sports and pub plates.
DrinkGuinness, Irish whisky, pub burgers
FoodPub burgers, nachos, late-night plates
TipOne of the city's late closes (01:00 weeknights, later weekends). Walk-in. Useful when the bacari have all shut.
Il Mercante in Venice's San Polo near the Frari basilica is the speakeasy-style cocktail bar with seasonal themed menus, the city's modern cocktail benchmark.
DrinkThemed seasonal cocktails (Sea, Tea, Story, Land)
FoodSmall plates from Caffe dei Frari
TipBookings via Resy. The seasonal menu refreshes four times a year; the spice-trade-themed pours are the move.
Bacaro Jazz near the Rialto Bridge in San Marco is the late-running jazz bar with cicchetti, bra-collection ceiling and one of the few 02:00 closes.
DrinkSpritz, prosecco, classic cocktails
FoodCicchetti, cured meats and tapas
TipWalk-in. 02:00 close. Touristy ambience but useful for late drinks; tonight's jazz set is on the chalkboard at the door.
Skyline Rooftop Bar atop Hilton Molino Stucky on Giudecca is the city's rare rooftop bar, with a 360-degree view across the lagoon, San Marco basin.
DrinkSpritz with a Giudecca Canal view
FoodBar snacks, hotel kitchen menu
TipTake the free Hilton shuttle boat from San Marco. Best at sunset (book by 19:30 in summer). Spritz around €18.
Do Leoni Cocktail Bar inside Hotel Londra Palace on the Riva degli Schiavoni is the elegant bar overlooking the San Marco basin and the Bacino di San Marco.
DrinkNegroni Sbagliato, classic Venetian cocktails
FoodLight dining carte, bar snacks
TipSpring-autumn outdoor seating on the Riva is the move. Cocktails from €18. Lunch carte runs noon to 14:30.
Venice Jazz Club in Dorsoduro near Ponte dei Pugni is the city's live-jazz room with two sets nightly, the canonical Venetian jazz-and-cocktail venue.
DrinkNegroni and live-set whisky cocktails
FoodTapas and aperitivo plates
TipTwo sets at 21:00 and 22:15; ticket €20 includes one drink. Book online ahead, the room seats 50.
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