Venice

Nightspots in and around Venice can be difficult to categorize. Pubs, of the English or Irish variety, with beer on tap and occasional live music, are easy enough to identify and are especially popular with local and traveling youth. When you're looking to dance, things get murkier: lounge-type piano bars generally have small dance floors, while dance clubs are scarce but may serve snacks and even late-night meals. Bars and cafés are even harder to classify, as availability of snacks, meals, beverages, and music varies with the time of day and the season. Many also decorate their walls with works by local artists, whose paintings are for sale.

The proximity to the university makes Campo Santa Margherita and the surrounding area one of the livelier gathering places in town after dark. The Erbaria, a wide open campo running along the Grand Canal at the foot of the Rialto Bridge on the San Polo side, and the Fondamenta Misericordia in Cannaregio are two other areas that have a happening evening scene.

It's worth noting that during Carnevale many ordinary bars, which close around dinnertime the rest of the year, stay open around the clock.

Sort by: 27 Recommendations {{numTotalPoiResults}} {{ (numTotalPoiResults===1)?'Recommendation':'Recommendations' }} 0 Recommendations
CLEAR ALL Area Search CLEAR ALL
Loading...
Loading...
  • 1. Bar Longhi

    San Marco

    The Gritti Palace is home to one of the most exclusive watering holes in town (though thankfully open to the public), lined with 18th-century paintings and Murano chandeliers. You can also enjoy your cocktail on the patio with prime views onto the Grand Canal.

    San Marco 2467, Venice, Veneto, 30124, Italy
    041-794611
  • 2. Caffè Baglioni

    San Marco

    Just outside Piazza San Marco (near the Museo Correr), Hotel Luna Baglioni's pleasant bar—complete with 16th-century art pieces and an 18th-century fireplace—is perfect for an intimate chat in the cold winter months.

    San Marco 1243, Venice, Veneto, 30124, Italy
    041-5289840
  • 3. Il Caffè Rosso

    Dorsoduro

    The sign above the door simply says "CAFFÈ," but it has long since been called "Bar Rosso" for its bright-red exterior. The ideal people-watching spot on one of the busiest campos, it has far more tables outside than inside. A favorite with students and faculty from the nearby university, it's a good place to start the day with coffee and croissant, or to enjoy a drink. 

    Dorsoduro 2963, Venice, Veneto, 30123, Italy
    39-041-5287998
  • 4. Il Mercante

    San Polo

    When the clock strikes 6 pm, historic Caffè dei Frari transforms into this lively craft cocktail bar that will dazzle your inner adventurer. Relax on a velvet sofa while savoring remarkably inventive drinks paired with flavorful small bites. Each pairing has a distinctive name; "Amatriciana" is composed of vodka, dry vermouth, and black tea, served with Parmesan foam, pineapple gel, and balsamic vinegar (billed as "strong, smoky, tasty").

    San Polo 2564, Venice, Veneto, 30125, Italy
    39-347-8293158
  • 5. Skyline Rooftop Bar

    For arguably the best views of Venice anywhere, visit this buzzy eighth-floor hotel cocktail bar. There are regular DJ and live music events during the summer months.

    Giudecca 810, Giudecca, Veneto, 30133, Italy
    041-2723316
  • Recommended Fodor’s Video

  • 6. Al Chioschetto

    Dorsoduro

    Although this popular place consists only of a kiosk set up to serve some outdoor tables, it is located on the Zattere and thus provides a wonderful view of the Giudecca Canal. It's a handy meet-up spot for locals, especially students from the nearby university, and a useful stop-off for tourists in nice weather for a spritz or a panino. Keep in mind, though, that "the kiosk" exists for quick refreshments and not for lingering. The view and the sunshine (and especially the sunset) are the main draw; the food and drink, while acceptable, are not exceptional.

    Dorsoduro 1406/A, Venice, Veneto, 30123, Italy
    39-348-3968466
  • 7. Bacarando in Corte dell'Orso

    San Marco

    It is easy to see why this place is popular with the locals, offering fairly priced cocktails, a reasonable assortment of cicheti, and a good selection of Italian wine, but the warm ambience, friendly staff, and occasional live jazz are the main draws. The kitchen stays open until late.

    San Marco 5495, Venice, Veneto, 30124, Italy
    041-5238280
  • 8. Bacaro Jazz

    San Marco

    This Venetian-style dive bar has strong cocktails, a jazz soundtrack, and hundreds of bras hanging from the ceiling. The lively daily happy hour is a great time to visit.

    San Marco 5546, Venice, Veneto, 30124, Italy
    041-5285249
  • 9. Bar Dandolo

    Castello

    Even if you're not staying at Hotel Danieli, it’s worth a stop to marvel at its bar's over-the-top decor inside a 14th-century palace. Though pricey, it's a highly atmospheric place to sample their signature Vesper martini or another cocktail of your choice, usually accompanied by live piano music.

    Castello 4196, Venice, Veneto, 30122, Italy
    041-5226480
  • 10. Ca' Noghera

    Mestre's casino, near the airport, has slots, blackjack, craps, poker, and roulette. The minimum age is 18, and there's no dress code.

    Via Triestina 222, Mestre, Veneto, 30173, Italy
    041-5297111

    Nightlife Details

    Rate Includes: €10 entry includes €10 in chips, Slots daily 11 am–3:30 am, tables daily 3:30 pm–3:30 am
  • 11. Caffè dei Frari

    San Polo | Bars/Pubs

    Just over the bridge in front of the Frari church is this old-fashioned bar, where you'll find an assortment of sandwiches and snacks; but it's the atmosphere, not the food, that's the main attraction. Established in 1870, it's one of the last Venetian bars/tearooms with its original decor. Prices are a bit higher than in the cafés of nearby Campo Santa Margherita, but the decor and the friendly "retro" atmosphere seem to make the added cost worthwhile.

    Fondamenta dei Frari, San Polo 2564, Venice, Veneto, 30125, Italy
    041-4767305
  • 12. El Sbarlefo

    Cannaregio

    The odd name is Venetian for "smirk," although you'll be hard-pressed to find one at this cheery, familiar bacaro with a wine selection as ample as the cicheti on offer. The spread of delectables ranges from classic polpette of meat and tuna to tomino cheese rounds to speck and robiola rolls, and the selection of wines is equally intriguing. There's often live jazz and blues on Friday and Saturday nights. El Sbarlefo has a second location in Dorsoduro, in the calle just behind the church of San Pantalon.

    Cannaregio 4556/C, Venice, Veneto, 30121, Italy
    041-5246650
  • 13. Impronta

    Dorsoduro

    Just a few steps from Campo Santa Margherita, this is one of the rare locales that has a kitchen serving until midnight also offers a bar menu until 2. It's also a good spot for nightcap—you can expect a fairly lively atmosphere right up until closing time.

    Dorsoduro 3815, Venice, Veneto, 30123, Italy
    39-041-2750386

    Nightlife Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun.
  • 14. Inishark

    Castello

    The popular Italo-Irish pub Inishark, located midway between San Marco and Rialto, is known for its variety of international beers, live music, and live sports on the TV.

    Castello 5787, Venice, Veneto, 30122, Italy
    041-5235300
  • 15. Margaret Duchamp

    Dorsoduro

    The French-sounding name befits this artfully minimalist café-brasserie in Campo Santa Margherita. Classic Venetian cocktails are served alongside warm sandwiches and light salads all day until 2 am. The tables face westward, so there's lots of sun in the afternoon.

    Dorsoduro 3019, Venice, Veneto, 30123, Italy
    39-041-5286255
  • 16. Naranzaria

    San Polo

    At the friendliest of the several bar-restaurants that line the Erbaria, near the Rialto markets, enjoy a cocktail outside, along the Canal Grande, or at a cozy table inside the renovated 16th-century warehouse. Although the food is acceptable, the ambience is really the main attraction. After the kitchen closes at 10:30, light snacks are served until midnight, and there is live music (usually jazz, Latin, or rock) occasionally on Sunday evening. On summer evenings, especially the weekend, the market area draws crowds of young people from Venice, the lagoon islands, and the mainland.

    San Polo 130, Venice, Veneto, 30125, Italy
    041-7241035
  • 17. Orange

    Dorsoduro

    Modern, hip, and complemented by an internal garden, this welcoming bar anchors the south end of Campo Santa Margherita, the liveliest campo in Venice. You can have piadine (thin flatbread) sandwiches, salads, and drinks while watching soccer games on a massive screen inside, or sit at the tables facing the campo. Despite being close to the university, Orange is frequented primarily by young working people from the mainland and tourists.

    Dorsoduro 3054/A, Venice, Veneto, 30123, Italy
    041-5234740
  • 18. Palazzo Vendramin-Calergi

    Cannaregio

    The city-run casino in splendid Palazzo Vendramin-Calergi is a classic scene of well-dressed high rollers playing French roulette, Caribbean poker, chemin de fer, 30–40, and slots. You must be at least 18 to enter, and men must wear jackets after 8:30 pm to access the "VIP" area.

    Cannaregio 2040, Venice, Veneto, 30121, Italy
    041-5297111
  • 19. Paradiso Perduto

    Cannaregio

    Paradiso Perduto has been catering to night owls since the '80s with drinks, wine, and slightly overpriced fish dishes (a better option is the cicheti). The old piano has witnessed Chet Baker and Archie Shepp jams, and the place still serves up live music—mainly local and international jazz groups. It attracts young people and students alongside tourists, creating a very lively atmosphere. In temperate weather, patrons fill the fondamenta until they're shooed away.

    Cannaregio 2540, Venice, Veneto, 30121, Italy
    041-720581

    Nightlife Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Tues. and Wed.
  • 20. Piccolo Mondo

    Dorsoduro

    Piccolo Mondo is the city's only disco, still going strong since 1963 (it was renovated in 2018).

    Dorsoduro 1056/A, Venice, Veneto, 30123, Italy
    39-041-5200371-Number active from 11:00 PM - 4:00 AM

    Nightlife Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun.--Tues.

No nightlife Results

Please try a broader search, or expore these popular suggestions:

There are no results for {{ strDestName }} Nightlife in the searched map area with the above filters. Please try a different area on the map, or broaden your search with these popular suggestions:

Recommended Fodor’s Video