Il Mercante is a nightlife spot in San Polo, Venice.
Il Mercante runs an 1870s former cafe a few steps from the Frari basilica as one of Venice's serious cocktail rooms, with a Magellan inspired list themed.
Editorially verified May 20, 2026 by Lewis Vaughan, TableJourney editor. Source.
Tip: Order the Captain's Death if you like bitter and dry; the bar staff also build off menu. The room sits maybe thirty so reservations on Friday and Saturday avoid the queue.
Address: Fondamenta dei Frari 2564, 30125 Venezia, Venice
The Bar at Aman sits in the piano nobile of Palazzo Papadopoli overlooking the hotel's Grand Canal garden, with bar manager Antonio Ferrara on a seasonal.
Tip: The garden opens for cocktails from midday in warm months; the indoor salon takes over October through April. The Venice Cocktail Week and Architecture Biennale slots fill weeks ahead.
Bar Longhi is the social hub of The Gritti Palace on Campo Santa Maria del Giglio, with mirrored walls of Murano crystal, eighteenth century paintings.
Tip: Cocktails are nineteen euros, bar bites from twenty two; the terrace seats a handful so book ahead for sunset. Afternoon tea is the calmer slot if the bar feels too formal.
The Bar at Aman sits in the piano nobile of Palazzo Papadopoli overlooking the hotel's Grand Canal garden, with bar manager Antonio Ferrara on a seasonal.
Tip: The garden opens for cocktails from midday in warm months; the indoor salon takes over October through April. The Venice Cocktail Week and Architecture Biennale slots fill weeks ahead.
Metro Venezia Club has run on Via Cappuccina in Mestre since 2012 as the Venice metro area's main gay sauna and recreation club, with a Finnish sauna.
Tip: Historic Venice has no standing gay bar; Metro on the mainland is the scene. Five hundred metres from Mestre station, ten minutes from Piazzale Roma by tram. ANDDOS card at the door.
Trash and Chic has run as Venice's longest-standing LGBTQ pop-up since 2006, currently using the Molocinque warehouse in Marghera two or three Saturdays.
Tip: Check the Facebook page for the dated calendar; the venue is Molocinque most months but the event also travels to Padova. Cab back to historic Venice is the only late option.
Caffè Florian has run under the Procuratie Nuove of Piazza San Marco since 1720, the oldest continuously operating cafe in Italy, with the resident Caffè.
Tip: The orchestra surcharge is six euros per drink when the band plays; sit at an outside table for the music, the inside salon is cheaper but mute. Closed days in low winter for the orchestra.
Gran Caffè Quadri has anchored the Procuratie Vecchie side of Piazza San Marco since 1775, founded by the Corfiote merchant Giorgio Quadri, with the resident.
Tip: The terrace tables sit directly across from the basilica; the orchestra plays through aperitivo and dinner. A spritz with the music surcharge runs around twenty euros total.
