Last Updated on August 4, 2026 by Emma Fajcz | Published: February 21, 2019
Looking for a fancy cocktail or nice bottle of wine at a bar locals love? We’ve gone out on the town to find our 6 favorite bars in Rome that we know you’ll love! Try these at aperitivo time or for after-dinner drinks, and you’ll see why these bars are so beloved.
Table of Contents
At a Glance: Drinking Like a Local in Rome
- ☕ What “Bar” Means in Italy: Don’t expect a pub or tavern. In Rome, a bar is an all-day café where locals grab espresso in the morning, enjoy pastries and light lunches, stop for an afternoon coffee, and return in the evening for aperitivo or cocktails.
- 🥂 When to Go: Aperitivo is typically served from 6-8 pm, while cocktail bars become livelier after 9 pm. Romans usually eat dinner around 8-9 pm. (Here’s more about the Italian tradition of aperitivo!)
- 💶 What Drinks Cost: Expect to pay around €3–6 for a glass of house wine, €4–7 for a local craft or imported beer, and €8–15 for a classic cocktail at a bar. Rooftop bars and luxury hotels will charge more!
- 🍹 What to Order: In addition to an Aperol Spritz, try an Americano, Negroni, Negroni Sbagliato, or an Italian Gin & Tonic. Wine lovers should ask for wines from Lazio, the region surrounding Rome, for a true local taste.
- 🍷 Don’t Skip Aperitivo: At aperitivo time (usually 6-8 pm), many bars serve complimentary snacks, such as olives, potato chips, focaccia, or small bites, with your drink. Some venues even offer generous aperitivo buffets.
- ✅ Local Tip: Stand at the bar for a quick coffee or aperitivo if you want to blend in with locals. Sitting at an outdoor table is part of the Roman experience, but remember that many cafés and bars charge a table service fee, especially in popular tourist areas.
1. San Calisto
Bar San Calisto is a little but scruffy, but has a heart of gold. This is very much a neighborhood bar! It’s open from early in the morning serving coffee with shots of grappa and warm cornetti all the way until evening when they serve potato chips and late night negronis.
The large outside terrace has seating. This bar is always busy, and on warm summer nights, the crowd spills out into the piazza. Some nights, there is even informal live music inside!
📍 Address: Piazza di San Calisto, 3
2. Fafiuche
You can perch on stools on the street or reserve a table inside at Fafiuche, a popular neighborhood wine shop. Check the blackboard for the always-changing list of wines by the glass. The choices focus on small Italian producers, particularly from Piedmont and Puglia where the owners are from and some natural wines.
There’s even a small selection of craft beers, and a hot and cold aperitivo buffet that’s hearty enough that you can probably skip dinner!
The shelves are filled with bottles of wine that you can drink on the spot or buy to take home. Any space not taken up by wine is filled with jars of jam and bars of chocolate–and it’s all for sale.
📍 Address: Via della Madonna dei Monti, 28
3. Blackmarket Hall
Live music and a creative cocktail menu make this spot on a small street in Monti worth seeking out. Blackmarket Hall’s cozy atmosphere is spread out with a small bar on the street level, and another bar downstairs with a performance space. Keep exploring, and you will find a couple of small rooms with comfy velvet sofas and an outside garden space.
If you like spice, try the Maui Hot Chicken made with tequila, mezcal, chili, black salt and lime. In the early evening try the aperitivo plate of mini burgers, pecorino cheese and prosciutto. The kitchen is open late for hungry night owls. There are plenty of vegetarian and vegan options here, too. (Here’s our guide to eating vegetarian in Rome if you’re curious!)
📍 Address: Via de’ Ciancaleoni, 31
4. Drink Kong
Patrick Pistolesi is an Irish-Italian who has been mixing some of Rome’s best cocktails for over a decade, and now has finally opened a place of his own. Drink Kong’s vibe is part 1980’s video game and part minimalist Japanese aesthetic.
There are cocktail classics available, or for the adventurous, book a spot in the back room and experience one of Patrick’s secret creations based on elements like bitter, sour, or sweet. The food choices range from small plates of dumplings to bao to tacos.
📍 Address: Piazza di S. Martino Ai Monti, 8
5. VyTA Enoteca Regionale del Lazio
Did you know that Rome is located in the wine region of Lazio? VyTA, a stylish bar and restaurant in the middle of Rome’s shopping district is a partnership with the region and restauranteur Nicolò Marzotto. The food and wine served put a spotlight on the best ingredients and producers in Lazio.
Sit at the copper bar for a quick drink and a plate of cured meats and cheese, or settle into a jade green velvet seat for a bottle of Cesanese wine and a Amatriciana suppli (a deep fried rice ball mixed with a tomato, guanciale and pecorino cheese).
If your palette skews bitter, you will love the Vyta 185km made with locally produced, gin, vermouth, and gentian liquor.
📍 Address: Via Frattina, 94
6. Baccano
Located around the corner from the Fontana di Trevi, Baccano’s long zinc bar offers refuge from the busy streets outside. There is an extensive wine list of by the glass and bottle choices with an emphasis on Italian producers.
Cocktails like the Bernini made with francicorte, mango, and peach puree will please the sweet tooth, and an oyster martini served with a freshly shucked oyster from the selection flown in daily from France.
Aperitivo is offered from 18:00 to 20:30, and includes a glass of wine or a spritz and a plate of hot snacks.
📍 Address: Via delle Muratte, 23
Taste Trastevere’s Best Food & Wine on Tour!
Spend an evening out in Rome’s most eclectic neighborhood with our Trastevere Food & Wine Tour. Hop from enoteca to local bar to osteria as you dive into the world of Roman gastronomy and wine!
Get ready for regional cured meats and cheeses, delicious local pasta, a variety of different Italian wines, and, of course, Italy’s favorite aperitivo cocktail, the spritz. Consider this your crash course in all things wine and dining in Rome!
Featured Review: Trastevere Food & Wine Tour
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “This tour was fantastic. The food and wine were great from local restaurants. Chiara our tour guide was funny, informative and lovely. It is my third Devour tour and it never disappoints.”
– Julie
Best Bars in Rome FAQs
What’s the difference between a bar and an enoteca in Rome?
In Italy, a bar is an all-day café where locals stop for coffee, pastries, aperitivo, and cocktails, while an enoteca is a wine bar specializing in Italian wines, often paired with small plates of cheese, cured meats, or other regional specialties. If you’re looking for an authentic wine-tasting experience, an enoteca is usually your best choice.
What is aperitivo, and is it worth doing in Rome?
Aperitivo is Italy’s beloved pre-dinner tradition, typically enjoyed between 6:00 and 8:00 pm. Order a spritz, Negroni, or glass of wine, and many bars will serve complimentary snacks or small bites alongside your drink. It’s one of the best ways to experience Roman social life before heading to dinner.
Do you need reservations for bars in Rome?
Most bars welcome walk-ins. However, reservations are recommended for trendy cocktail lounges, rooftop bars, and speakeasies—especially on weekends or during the busy spring and summer travel seasons. Arriving early for aperitivo also makes it easier to find a seat.
What time do Romans go out for drinks?
Romans tend to start their evenings later than many visitors expect. Aperitivo usually begins around 6:00 pm, dinner often starts between 8:00 and 9:00 pm, and many cocktail bars don’t become lively until 9:30 or 10:00 pm. If you’re looking for the city’s best nightlife atmosphere, plan for a later evening.
What should you order at a bar in Rome besides a Spritz?
While an Aperol Spritz is popular, Rome is especially known for classics like the Negroni, Americano, and Gin Tonic, along with excellent Italian wines and regional craft beers. If you’re at an enoteca, ask for a wine from Lazio, the region surrounding Rome to sample local varieties you may not find elsewhere.
