Locals in Roma believe in living up the night and their nights usually begin quite late. You will often see groups of friends meeting up at 9.30 p.m. or even later and then embarking on a long dinner plus an equally long discussion about their plans for the remaining night. In Rome every process….be it ordering for dinner or parking the car or finding the perfect nightclub and then the perfect drink, take their own sweet time.
Sometimes all the fun starts off at aperitivo hour when groups meet up for drinks around 7 p.m. and then do the Roman version of pub crawl all around the city. Or maybe they could do a ‘passeggiata’ that is a slow walk through the lovely cobbled streets while sipping on any number of beers. Lots of things are intriguing about Roman nightlife such as the fondness of Romans for Irish pubs. You will find a whole lot of Irish pubs with their fish and chips and huge mugs of craft beer….sprinkled all across the city.
Once the night draws to an end, some Romans like to sip on their other favourite drink….cappuccino and top it off with a croissant (they call these cornetto) from the many tiny cafes that remain open till the wee hours of the morning.
Rome’s nightlife is much like its essence; slow, languorous, discreetly fashionable and unpredictable. The city brims over with wine bars, discos, night clubs and cafes but it might help to know about some prime nightlife concentration hubs. The Via della Pace and Piazza Navona areas are smart and upmarket with lots of wine bars and elite cafes nestling in its alleys. Trastavere has a gypsy vibe about it and has lots of pubs and speciality coffee shops that are targeted towards global nomads, backpackers, students and artists. San Lorenzo area is known for its casual vibe and student fraternity who mill around its numerous pubs…this is primarily a ‘young zone’.
The Campo de Fiori area flaunts a heterogeneous mix of locals and tourists and expats with a sprinkling of students from the many American colleges that are hosted by Rome. The Testaccio/ Ostiense areas have a lot of gay discos and posh music clubs and bars sporting alternative music. There are also a lot of risto bars in this area….places where you can eat, drink as well as dance.
If you have rented a car for personal use in Rome and want to go to some really fancy places then try the Parioli area that’s rich and sophisticated. Many tourists prefer spending their evenings and nights immersed in operas and concert performances in the many beautiful venues around the city.
This article lists the best nightclubs, the best bars to enjoy aperitivos and the best places to live it up in Roma. Of course when it’s about a characterful place like Rome there has to be a selection of unusual venues like late night literary cafes, musical venues by the river, dinner cruises and concert venues. The vast variety of nightlife activities in Rome might leave you confused so choose where to invest your time with deliberation.
Best Aperitif Bars in Rome
The aperitivo tradition in Rome i.e. the tradition of sipping on digestive drinks and whetting up the appetite for the big Italian dinner….is one of the most loved aspects of Rome.
Know more about the glorious Italian tradition of Aperitivo and the best places to enjoy it in the eternal city.
Best Nightclubs & Entertainment Spaces
Sharivari Playhouse
Ask any random local in Roma about the best place to party and there will be a standard answer ‘Shari Vari’. Central Rome’s biggest club is open all around the clock and the music scene here has a lot of variety…..right from hip hop to R&B to house music. The themed nights hosted here are famous all over Rome. There are three differently styled rooms in the club; a baroque dance room, French bistro style room, and a punk underground club space….choose where you want to dance!!
On the flip side, the staff here are pretty strict about dress code and they can tell people off quite rudely. Make sure that you are wearing classic shoes and not boots, sneakers or some other casual footwear otherwise you might get discriminated against. This is an expensive place and at the first glance everything on the menu might seem overpriced. There are not many toilets inside and sometimes having to wait for your turn inside may seem irritating. Come here for the ambience and for the dancing. Also, there is a taxi stand just 100 feet away from the club so getting back is not a problem.
Timings: 8:30 AM – 4 AM
Address: Via di Torre Argentina, 78, 00186 Roma
Phone: 2977526 – 340.3055220. Website
Ice Club
Step into alternate reality as the icy walls of the Ice Club swallow you. The walls, bar and most of everything else is made of Ice and luxurious white furs line the ice booths and snow benches. Guests can also rent igloos inside and there is always nice music playing.
Ever heard that vodka calls ice its best friend?? This place actually serves a stunning array of vodkas in a variety of glasses crafted from ice. For those of you who had enough of wines and lager beer say hello to the Roman Vodka tribe. This place has a huge and exclusive collection of vodkas that range from flavours like strawberry and peach to tropical melon to tender coconut. You will also find international brands like Grey Goose and Absolut here. For a 15 euro cover charge you will get entry, capes and a free drink. Bar prices are not very high too…about 10 euros for 2 shots/ 2 cocktails in their ice glasses. The cocktails here are said to be the freshest in Roma.
Just for the record there are 2 igloos inside this place and almost 40 metric tonnes of ice is used here. After a day spent in the scorching Roman sun…what better way to rewind!! There are lots of beautiful ice sculptures inside (including Colosseum and Forum) much like the London Ice Bar.
Food selections are not the greatest…in fact they offer just average tasting finger food. The capes aren’t too flattering …they are basically hospital like thermal blue jackets. But the novelty factor beats it all. Another downside is that it’s almost -5 degrees inside and you will definitely not be able to stay for a couple of hours. Roman nightlife is mostly about jazzy music, crowds and so-spirited dancing with wine and beer in rather hot spaces. Spending a part of a sultry Roman evening in an ice bar filled with sculptures and vodka might just be perfect variety, especially when it’s just some minutes away from the Colloseum in the exciting Monti neighbourhood.
Timings: Open on weekends from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. And on weekdays from 5 p.m. to 1.00 a.m.
Address: Via Della Madonna Dei Monti 18/19, 00184 Rome
Phone: +39 06 9784 5581. Website
Baja
A vintage harbour barge that’s anchored on the Tiber by Rome’s city centre….Baja is now known as Roma’s best party and music venue. Large windows open up to glorious views of the Tiber and a combination of steel frames, burnished wood floors and flowers everywhere creates a lovely ambience inside the boat.
There are two floors in Baja and grand parties and private events happen on the upper floor. The ground floor is the dining space which serves everything from breakfast to post dinner cocktails. Every Wednesday the grand Erasmus party is held here and you will see Baja full of the international tourist community plus chic locals who have come to dance the night away. For about 10 euros you can gain entry and then dance your heart out while enjoying free drinks.
For reaching Baja, you need to take the Flamino Line A metro. The dinner starts from 7 p.m. onwards and post dinner there are usually musical performances and live dancing. On the left side of the harbour there is a beautifully decorated space where you can sip on aperitivos and enjoy the sunset. Food is inventive and nice (supervised by a Sicilian chef) but it’s the cocktails and wine list that Baja is really proud of.
Timings: Open from 7.00 p.m. to 1AM
Address: Lungotevere Arnaldo da Brescia, 00196 Roma
Phone: +39 06 9436 8869; Website
Borgo Ripa
The Borgo Ripa garden is called Giardino delle Delizie or the Garden of Delights. Dating back to the 1600 when the illustrious Doria Pamplij family owned the garden. It was said that the garden was personally tended to by the prima donna of Rome’s social scene i.e. Donna Olimpia Maidalchini (rumoured to be Pope Innocent’s lover as well as sister in law). The ‘papessa’ as she was known as created this sensual garden and the setting is fully utilised by Borgo Ripa who have adorned the whole place with string lights, antique couches with pale pastel cushions and comfy armchairs.
A bevy of chic Parisian wrought iron tables and chairs are scattered all through the garden and the fantastically decorated bar takes the place of honour right in the middle. The idea is to drink copious amounts of wines, consume gourmet food, flirt and enjoy the amazing music and equally amazing stand up acts/ shows put up here by one or the other speakeasy bars that tie up with Borgo. Sometimes there is light dancing and the atmosphere is romantic and magical.
The menu is simple…only 2 pages long and everything listed are culinary gems. Try the “crispelle” (ricotta and spinach), “tonnarelli” cacio e pepe, “lasagne Della casa” (House speciality). The cocktail menu is simple too with 6 signature drinks. 2 of these are pre blended long soaked…resulting in a burst of unique flavours. Try the #6 Ultimatum cocktail if you are a lover of ginger. Borgo Ripa experience isn’t cheap but the offerings are worth the price and this is one of the few elite Roman night spots that are truly tourist friendly.
Timings: Monday – Sunday, Open from 8pm to 2am
Address: Lungotevere Ripa, 3 (Trastevere). Phone: +39 331 473 6611
Reserve your slot by messaging (and not calling) with the details of the number of people in your group, date and time. They will get back to you with a confirmation. You need to reserve ahead otherwise it’s impossible to find a table especially in the weekends.
Vinile
Extravagant and little over the top; Vinile is filled with Rome’s IT crowd who want to recreate the ‘disco era’ but with electronica and glamour. A juxtaposition of the old and new; the club slogans itself ‘food and music’ but the focus is very much on designs. The spectacular bar which runs from the floor to the ceiling is a sure eye catcher. Jazz, orchestra and a healthy dose of swing blues are played here. From Thursday to Sunday 11.30 p.m. onwards there is a live DJ set and lots of dancing with a different theme each night.
Vinile lies in the not so touristy Ostiense neighbourhood so you will find more of a local crowd at this venue. With a different band playing almost every night it’s impossible to get bored at Vinile. Swing dance lessons (free for all) are held just a few hours before the live music starts. All you have to do is to grab a partner and train yourself to dance.
Timings: open from Sun – Wed 8 p.m. – 2.00 a.m. Thu 8.00 p.m. – 3.00 a.m. , Fri – Sat 8.00 p.m. – 4.00 a.m.
Address: Via Giuseppe Libetta, 19. Phone: +39 06 5728 8666; Website
Caffé Letterario
The Café stands at the location of the erstwhile General Markets. This is the reigning intercultural space in Rome and it comprises of a coffee place plus a library plus a multi medium cultural activity enter. Artistically designed by Vincenzo Pultrone and Alfredo Caporale, this space spans above 1000 sq. meters as a cinema room and web concert hall plus bar and conference facilities.
Incidentally they also offer bag storage facilities via Bag BnB so if you have a late evening entry or Passover from Roma then this is a good place to use. Then there are regular poetry readings, author meets, fashion talks and showcases of new Italian designer’s works. Sometimes the in-house cinema shows up the latest art-house film or an independent theatre group comes in to perform.
There is never a shortage of new events on offer but if you are not looking for any event in particular then just curling up on a comfy couch with a book from their in-house library is a jolly good ‘evening in’ for bibliophiles. The library closes around 9 p.m. but there is always plenty of time to sip on an aperitivo or order a couple of strong cappuccinos. Undoubtedly a venue to spend a literary evening in the Eternal City.
Timings: 10am to 2am.
Address: Via Ostiense, 95, 00154, Rome
Phone: +39 06 5730 2842. Website
Voodoo Bar
Step into alternate reality that opens up at the fringes of Monti at Colle Oppio as the gates of Voodoo bar swallow you. Follow a mystical candle lit path and submit yourself to a free face paint session while you get christened as a member of the Voodoo tribe. This huge 200 sq. meter park has a tropical restaurant, Caribbean bar, live performance venue, voodoo inspired garden, street food zone and even a massage area.
You can even get Tarot card readings and have your fortune spelled out by fortune tellers who look as if they have stepped out of a movie. There are different things every night; sitar performances, flame throwers, magicians, Asian dancers….you can never get bored at Voodoo bar. Food is amazing….you will get everything from Sushi to Pinza (Roman version of small pizza) and nice cocktails (some are even served inside fruits like coconuts and melons). There is live music all the time and the DJ performances are amongst the best in Rome.
The downside is the staff who are too strict about dress code and sometimes discriminate between locals and tourists. Mysteriously even a fun and alternative entertainment space called Voodoo bar has a dress code!!! You might be forbidden to enter without any solid reason. If you do manage to get in your are guaranteed to have a super fun time.
Timings: Open every day from 6 p.m. to 3 a.m.
Address: Via delle Terme di Traiano, 4A, 00184 Roma
Phone:+39 06 8379 6815. Facebook
Best Jazz Venues in Rome
Considering the fact that Rome is called ‘The worlds jazz capital’; any information about its nightlife is incomplete without a mention of its best jazz venues. The city hosts many jazz festivals annually including Vila Celimontana festival, Roma Jazz festival, Casa Del Jazz festival etc. In addition to these many excellent bars and entertainment spaces are known for their jazz performances
Villa Celimontana
This centrally situated park is just near the Colosseum. Locals call it Rome’s best and oldest outdoor concert space. Though the concert space is operational only between 1 July to 2 August; the experience it offers should not be missed should you be in Roma during these months. Though Celimontana was famous for primarily Jazz concerts it now showcases everything from tango to poetry readings to modern art to theatre to dance & folk songs. Order your favourite glass of wine or just a Campari soda and sink into a chair while enjoying the cultural offerings of the night.
The villa and park stands at the summit of the Caelian hill and has lovely landscaped gardens with grounds that cover most of the valley between Aventine hill and Caelian hill. It’s a lovely spot to visit and do not miss the Basilica Santa Maria Dominica that stands right besides its entrance (piazza della Naavicella). Incidentally the Villa used to be owned by the Mattei family and housed the Mattei collection that’s now housed in National Roman Museum.
Address: Piazza della Navicella, Rome. Bus #81 stops right outside the entrance.
Big Mama
The name is nondescript but Big Mama has an illustrious history and a shining Hall of Fame. It’s famous for the blues but expect a range of crossovers right from jazz to rock to fusion music. This venue is almost 30 years old and luminaries like Cet Baker, Hiram Bullock and Jeff Healey have performed here.
There is a downside to this venue…the space can seat only 50 people at a time comfortably. You need to definitely book ahead in order to ensure a seating. So many tourists are in love with this venue that they have brought the 14 euro annual membership card that gives free entry to most shows. Watch out for the life size cut-outs of Pino Damiele and Stefano Battista at the door (ask any Italian who they are!!!)
Timings: Mon-Sat 9pm to 1.30am (closed June-Sep)
Address: Vicolo San Francesco a Ripa 18. Phone: +39 06 581 2551. Website
Alcazar Live
So many of Rome’s cinemas have died slow and painful deaths due to changed entertainment preferences and exponential rent hikes. So it’s lovely to see Alcazar Live …an erstwhile cinema really reinvent itself by sticking to its roots and yet bewitching the younger crowd. Now a fun music venue, bar and restaurant in the charming Trastavere neighbourhood, Alcazar Live is one of the best nightspots in Rome.
Jazz performances, concerts, shows happen here regularly and the vintage red velvet movie theatre seats can be pulled out during the concerts. On the weekends cute little pop up markets spring up and even these have live jazz shows and amazing local food spreads. The main floor has a fantastic bar with an unending supply of free popcorn. The erstwhile projector room is now a hosteria with a focus on organic food.
Every Thursday to Sunday aperitivo sessions with live music and buffet happen from 7 p.m. onwards. Thursdays (free entry) always have live jam sessions and on Fridays (8 euro entry) the house bands host a tribute nights. On Saturdays (10 to 15 euro entry) some or the other international band, jazz group or soul artist comes to perform. Plenty of live dancing and cocktail spread that includes classics as well as mixology genres makes this a really happening zone.
Timings: Open from 2.30 p.m. to 2.00 a.m. from Wednesday to Friday. Closes early at 12.00 a.m. on Saturday and Tuesday.
Address: Via Cardinale Merry Del Val, 14. Rome, Italy (Trastevere). Website
Gregory’s Jazz Club
Jazz lovers across the city and indeed much across the world have appreciated Gregory’s Jazz Club warmly and the club has been a permanent fixture on the city’s entertainment scene across the last 20 years. Not only is the club a godsend for jazz lovers it’s also perfect for those interested in drinking their hearts out. The whiskey bar here is rumoured to be the best in Roma; around 130 types of scotch whiskey sourced from different corners of Scotland are stocked here.
Besides this the bar stocks a commendable range of wines and Scottish and English beers. The ambience is a winner with the hardwood bar counter, bottle shelves lined with mirrors and white marble tables. There is a nice selection of black and white photos of international jazz artists on the walls and finely curated jazz music keeps on playing all throughout the club.
Take the wooden stairs to the upper floor where there are many couches and lounge tables that bask in the warm light while trompe loiel shelves and a wooden beamed ceiling adds to the atmosphere. The stage is beautiful with its Gretsch drum sets, baby piano and double bass and it shows a different artist each night. The restaurant menu is extensive and this is the place to have a proper full blown four course meal while savouring the music and the ambience. The pasta and steak are sure fire winners.
Jazz concerts featuring established and new artists are a regular feature here. You have to buy your entry…this is usually 15 euro inclusive of your first drink inside. You will also get to sample the small aperitivo buffet menu…mostly light pasta, seafood, cheese board etc. Evenings see a lot of crowds and it’s hard to find a seat if you have not booked well in advance.
In summers i.e. from June to September, a special theme Gregory’s by the River opens up on the Riverbank facing the Castel Sant Angelo. Live jazz, seafood and sushi are offered and a huge stage plus a makeshift seating arrangement of about 140 people is established. The early session starts from 7.30 p.m. with the happy hour jam session. At 9.30 p.m. the main jazz concert (featuring a different artist each day) starts ….this features many international musicians. You can check the live schedule of Gregory’s by the River on this link.
Timings: 7.00 p.m. to 2.00 a.m.
Address: 54/a, Via Gregoriana, Roma, Lazio, 00187.
Phone: +39066796386. Email: [email protected]; Website
Classical Music/ Concert Venues
Rome is intensely musical and anyone who has been here will be impressed by the number of live music venues in the city. Italians usually like to stay close to their roots which is why the eternal city prides itself on its excellent concert venues. Classical music performances are an integral part of the city’s cultural life so you can expect orchestra, opera, ballet and piano/ violin recitals by leading production houses and artists regularly intersperse in the Roman evenings. Here are some of the best classical music venues in Rome:
Teatro dell Opera di Roma
Rome always had an intimate relationship to Opera and probably every Italian worth his/ her past knows the lyrics to Verdi’s Va Pensiero. Right from the time it opened in 1880 the Teatro dell Opera underwent many renovations and the acoustics system has been completely updated to resemble the horseshoe shaped resonance box style that symbolises the upper echelon of theatre acoustics… As of now the venue is at par with the best of global concert halls.
The beautifully red and gold gilded hall can seat up to 1600 people. Productions are showcased here from November to May and in the summer months some productions move outdoors to Terme Caracalla. Imagine watching the sopranos perform amidst the spectacular backdrop of Rome’s best preserved baths.
Many legends have performed in this opera and a few of the famous names are Gigli, Caruso, Pertile, Caniglia, Kabalvanska, Lauri Volpi, Kraus, Domingo, Di Stefano, Gobbi etc. master conductors like Toscanini, Serafin, Pretre, Kleiber, De Sabata, Patane, Maazel, Abbado, Sanzongo, Marinuzzi, Muti etc. Check the website schedule to know which shows will be held at the Teatro Costanzi location (the dell Opera is also referred to as Costanzi ….a tribute to its founder) and which ones are to be held at Caracalla Baths.
Book tickets from the official website preferably and since they aren’t too expensive get the best ones i.e. balcony/ box first two rows. The theatre is the best place in Rome to watch high quality opera performances and ballet shows.
Address: :Teatro dell’Opera, Piazza Beniamino Gigli.
Phone: +39 06 481 60255. Website
Classical Concerts at Church of St Agnes in Agony
The beautiful Baroque church St. Agnes in Agony lies in the famous Piazza Navona facing the iconic fountain of the four river. However, even tourists who have admired it from outside are sometimes unaware that it hosts some of the lovely classical concerts in Roma. If you are interested in an artistic and musical experience that shows up a different facet of Roman nightlife then try attending a concert here.
Once inside, Note the rich baroque design, the fantastic gilding and artwork….all created by Girolamo Rainaldi, Gian Lorenzo Bernini and Francesco Boromini. A lot of sculpture, frescoes and paintings are found inside and seeing it along with the concert will make a visit to St. Agnes a magical experience.
Attending a performance here is usually an immersive event with music from the Baroque composers like Girolamo Frescobaldi, Claudio Monteverdi, Giulio Caccini, Lelio Colista and Andrea Falconiero. The pieces are expertly performed by the instrumentalists and singers; the church has the entire ensemble (soprano, alto, baritone, flute, percussion and Baroque guitar). The instruments are a sort of heritage from the Baroque period and are worth staring at.
Shows usually begin from 6.30 p.m. and last till 8 p.m. This is especially a good concert to catch as it has explanations of the music before the pieces are played out in both English and Italian. Piano recitals of classics like Scubert, Beethoven, and Bach etc. are also conducted regularly and they sound magical in the church’s artistic atmosphere.
Many hotels across Rome (especially in the Piazza Navona area) stock tickets for these concerts (prices around 30 to 40 euros). Else you can book tickets online from comprehensive concert booking site.
Address: Via di Santa Maria Dell’Anima 30/A | Piazza Navona
Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia
One of the most prestigious musical institutions in the world, the Accademia Nazionale was founded by the Pope Sixtus V in 1585. Named after the patron saint of music Saint Cecilia…her feast day is celebrated with special concerts and performances. The academia as always been a ‘co fraternity’ and now at its latest address (it changed addresses many times) at Parco Della Musica….it functions as the best forum for local musicians and composers.
The core of the Accademia are 100 gifted music scholars and it has its own active choir and orchestra (Orchestra dell Accademia Nazionale Santa Cecilia). The orchestra traditionally follows Mahler and his style as the famous composer had strong ties with this institution. Incidentally this is Italy’s first orchestra that dedicates itself exclusively to symphonic repertoire and has premiered landmark 20th century pieces like Pines of Rome (Respighi).
Paco Della Musica is a large music complex with 3 indoor concert spaces and an outdoor theatre. The halls i.e. Santa Cecilia (2800 seats), Sala Sinopoli (1200 seats) and sala Petrassi 9700 seats) are all acoustically top notch.
When you visit the venue (and you should if you are interested in classical music) don’t miss a trip to the small in-complex museum that houses the remains of a villa that was excavated from this site. There is also an in-house book store and many nice restaurants in the piazza.
Check out concert schedules and book tickets from the official website of the Accademia.
Address: Viale Pietro de Coubertin 30. Auditorium Parco della Musica di Roma, Rome, Italy.
Phone: +39 06 8024 2501
Night Dinner & Wine Cruises
Cruises on the Tiber River are an excellent way to experience Rome at night though the river cruise concept in Roma is nowhere as exciting as in other cities like Paris. However those willing to spend an hour or two differently in the Eternal City or those jaded from an overdose of churches and museums can avail the river cruise option.
The Tiber river dinner cruise usually involves a luxury boat that has dinner tables, comfortable seating and well-heeled staff who serve guests a gourmet dinner while a multilingual commentary (and sometimes an illustrative video) points out the important historical monuments that lie along the river… the boarding time of dinner cruises is usually at 8.00 p.m. and the departure time is 8.30 p.m.
A variation of the dinner cruise is the wine cruise that usually involves one bottle of wine and appetizers. Some operators may call this the aperitivo cruise and these start a little earlier around 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The wine cruises usually do not offer dinner and the focus is on wine and nibbles and guests can purchase labels of their choice from the on board bar.
One of the most delightful facets of the night river cruise is the ability to see top attractions in Rome like St Peter Basilica, Mouth of Truth, Castel Sant Angelo reflected against the cityscape. The beautiful bridges of Rome like Ponte Sant Angelo, Ponte Garibaldi, Ponte Fabricio and Ponte Rotto ….creations of both the papal and modern ages, can be examined in glorious detail as the boat weaves its way under them. Sometimes there is even a live band on board or else pre chosen music mixes are played and all this adds to the ambience of the trip.
Many tour operators in Rome including Rome Boat Experience provide these kinds of experiences …you can learn about them in detail in the Top food tours in Rome.
A travel addict. Still celebrating the day when he quit his high-profile corporate job to pursue his passion for travel writing.