Rome Nightlife Guide: Info and Tips of Rome By Night

Pubs	Theatres	Chill Out
La dolce vita	Live Music	Romantic Evenings
Quiet Rome	Trendy hang-outs	After-hours entertainment

A slice of nocturnal Rome

It’s almost impossible to describe Rome's nocturnal dolce vita without mentioning the inevitable ‘F’ word. No, not Fellini or Felliniesque but rather, fashionable. Without even trying, Rome's club kids exude a sense of style that's often imitated yet never truly repeated, where La Dolce Vita meets Dolce and Gabbana. Short of tripping into the Trevi Fountain, there's nothing splashier than Roman nightlife, a thriving subculture that exudes a spirit of conscious camaraderie, starting fashionably late and, like Audrey Hepburn's doe-eyed character in Roman Holiday, ending just as the sun's coming up.

Early 90s Versace meets 21st Century Prada types at Akab, a live music venue whose soundtrack ranges from hip-hop and R&B to dance and house. Underneath the club is another club known as the Cave, in which the vibe is infinitely more mellow, with cool ethno-jazz and an eclectic crowd of arty types and cultured club kids. The reigning emperor in gay nightlife, L’Alibi is a tri-level, pansexual establishment with a cellar disco, enormous open-air bar leading to the Monte dei Cocci, and, recently, a very motley crew of straight curiosity seekers whose only alibi is the fact that this club is to Roman nightlife what the Colosseum is to history. The Black Out is an illuminating, not to mention long-running, presence on Rome’s rock scene, with DJs spinning not house or trance, but rock, grunge, punk, Goth and the occasional Brit pop tune. Experimental DJs like to test out new music trends here and the aurally-fixated crowds ranging from college students to those who were born early enough to witness the rise and fall of the Sex Pistols never seem to mind.

Rome Nightclubs

There is a wide range of late-night living in Rome with entertainment to suit all tastes
The best nightclubbing is concentrated in Testaccio and Trastevere. The most popular areas for eating and hanging out are S. Lorenzo, a university area full of pubs and pizzerie to fit a student’s budget, and the historic centre around Campo de’ Fiori. All four areas are accessible by night buses (often after a long wait at the bus stop) or by taxi. Note that the areas of the city centre closed to unauthorised traffic during the day, known as the ZTL (zona traffico limitato) will also now close on Friday and Saturday nights 23.00-03.00 until 23 September. However, the city council has promised extra buses and taxis to compensate for this closure.
Testaccio
This area is home to over 20 discos and disco-bars that kick into fashionable action after midnight. A few clubs not to miss are:
Coyote. Ideal for the young cautious-spending generation, it has a spacious indoor bar and a long staircase for chilling out while getting down to a mix of hip-hop and the latest house music. Drinks start from €5. Open daily, 21.30-05.00. Admission free. Via di Monte Testaccio 48b, tel. 3398721836.
Goa. A trendy club located just outside Testaccio in the Ostiense area, it plays house, hip-hop and tribal music powered by slide projections, exotic artefacts and incense. Tuesday night is gay night. Drinks range from €5 to €10. The club has wheelchair access and accepts credit cards. Open Tues-Sun, 23.00-04.00. Admission €15-20 (first drink free). Via Libetta 13, tel. 065748277. The club will be at Beat Park., Via Cristoforo Colombo at the junction with Viale Africa until 13 Aug, tel. 065922610.
Gay village. A hot spot that’s become a staple summer element in Rome. This year for the first time the venue is at Parco S. Sebastiano. A cinema festival, musical shows, lesbian theatre and disco nights that aren’t exclusively for a gay audience form part of its activities. Drinks €5-€10. Open 24 June-5 September, Tues-Sun from 22.00 until 31 Aug. Admission €15-20. Parco S. Sebastiano, Via delle Terme di Caracalla 55. www.gayvillage.it.
Baja. Youthful club located on a large boat off the banks of the Tiber. Arguably the most happening club for Erasmus students on Monday nights. The rest of the week it is also lively, playing a mix of ethno-house and hip-hop music and offering a wide variety of international beers and cocktails. Open daily, 23.00-04.00. Admission €10-15. Lungotevere A. da Brescia (Ponte Margherita), tel. 0632600118.
Other clubs worth checking out in this area are Zoo. bar, Via di Monte Testaccio 22 (closed 23 July-8 Sept), Alpheus, Via Commercio 36, Alibi. (gay-friendly), Via de Monte Testaccio 40 and Akab., Via di Monte Testaccio 69.
Trastevere.
Full Moon Wolf Rider’s Den. Hosts heavy metal and hard rock nights with occasional Celtic-themed nights. Open daily from 22.00. Admission free. Via Luigi Santini 12, tel. 3398996534, 3473011753. www.fullmoon.turn.to
Bali Oriental Pub. Ideal for a cool, relaxed yet romantic evening with pipe music. Varied cocktails and beer on offer. Open Mon-Sat, 21.30-02.00. Admission free. Via del Mattonato, 29, tel.065896089.
S. Lorenzo.
Balic. A resto-pub where you can enjoy Mediterranean cuisine in an ethnic atmosphere. On Fri and Sat there are disco nights playing house and pop music. Open daily, 20.30. Admission is free. Via dei Reti 25, tel. 0697612428.
Skyline. Disco-pub with an interior décor of steel military designs. Music depends on evening. Open Tues-Sun, 10.30-03.00. Admission free. Via degli Aurunci 26-28, tel. 064441417.
Mais Cafè. Mexican-styled pub that offers varied cocktails, draught and bottled beers. Happy hour 19.00-21.30. Open Tues-Sun, 19.00-02.00, (closed 15 July- 25 Aug). Admission free. Via di Porta Labicana 52, tel. 064456962.
Campo de’ Fiori and the historic centre.
Most restaurants and disco-pubs in this area open early in the evening for aperitivi and the crowd is a young international mix.
The Drunken Ship. Just the place to kick off the evening, especially for the English-speaking crowd. It offers a selection of beers, cocktails, snacks and music. Daily happy hour 17.00-21.00. Occasionally organises tequila parties. Open daily, 16.00-02.00. Admission free. Piazza Campo de’ Fiori 20/21, tel. 0668300535.
Anima. Interior décor of settee seats, beds and tyres. Music is funk, soul and drum ‘n’ bass. Aperitifs are served 18.00-22.00. Open daily, 18.00-04.00. Admission free. Via S. Maria dell’ Anima 57, tel. 066864021.
Supper club. A classy club in a beautifully restored 3rd century mansion offering international beers and cocktails. Plays cool and contemporary music. Open daily 19.00-03.00. Admission free. Via dei Nari 14, tel. 0668807207.
www.supperclub.com
The list of clubs is inexhaustible and you might never conquer all that Rome has to offer. See www.wantedinrome.com, what’s on, clubs, for the latest news on events and pub-crawls, or the weekly Time Out magazine.
Useful websites in Italian include, www.rockolive.com, www.inroma.it
www.romadisconight.com, www.2night.it.

Bar del Fico: Alfresco Bar for people watching

Bar del Fico is located in a small square, not far from Piazza Navona. We had a couple of drinks here before dinner one night. Drinks were reasonably priced and there were plenty of free bar snacks! There is a large outside terrace which is a great place to relax and do some people watching.
Address: Piazza del Fico, Rome - Close to Piazza Navona
Website: http://www.worldsbestbars.com/city/Rome/BardelFico.asp

Rome Italy Nightlife - When you are wandering about the city, there comes a time when you want to let loose. You could choose to settle in a nice spot and sip a delicious cocktail. You may want to lose control and join fellow partygoers on a packed and exciting dance floor. Sometimes you just want to sit back and relax to the sounds of live music, perhaps a little soothing jazz to cap off the night. Whatever you decide to do, Rome has a variety of night spots to keep you satisfied.

To find out of what's going on about the city, including information on movies, museum exhibitions, concerts, sporting and cultural events, check out the weekly roma c'è booklet, which is available every Wednesday. You can also pick up the biweekly English-language periodical, Wanted in Rome, which is available at many newsstands and provides a good coverage of events. If you wish to attend a concert, tickets will run between EUR7 and EUR25. Below are a few spots to consider when checking out Rome’s nightlife options:

New Open Gate
Via San Nicolo da Tolentino 4
Phone: +39 06 48 24464
When you are ready for a nice drink to start off the night, head over to this popular disco and cocktail bar. Keep in mind that this spot is closed on Sundays and is not available for partying from July through September.

Alexanderplatz
Via Ostia 9
Phone: +39 06 39 742171
Come experience Rome's most famous jazz club, which offers you your choice of a restaurant or bar to settle in. here you will be able to enjoy live jazz and blues which is offered nightly by both local and internally known musicians. This hot spot is closed on Sundays.

Alien
Via Velletri 17
Phone: +39 06 84 12212
Enjoy this rowdy rock disco and you will not be disappointed. You will be greeted by an alien-style strobe light and a raised catwalk in one room. Check out the other dance floor for a softer type of music. This spot is closed on Mondays.

Big Mama
Via S. Francesco a Ripa 18
Phone: +39 06 58 12551
Looking for a nice joint to enjoy some good blues in Rome? Here you will be able to listen and move your head to the sounds of rhythm and blues, African, jazz, as well as rock music.

L'Alibi
Via Monte di Testaccio 44
Phone: +39 06 57 43448
When you check out this gay and lesbian club, you will enjoy a night filled with good music, dancing, as well as an atmosphere oozing with high energy. Here you can also attend videos, art and fashion shows. Sorry, no entry on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Flann O'Brien
Via Napoli 29
Phone: +39 06 44 80418
Here you will be able to check out one of the first pubs to establish itself in Rome. For a satisfying cappuchino and a warm Irish ambience, this is the place to look out for.

Gilda
Via Maria dei Fiori 97
Phone: +39 06 48 85754
Many Italian actors, politicians and American celebrities pass through this sophisticated nightspot which offers visitors their choice of piano bar, restaurant, dancing and live music. You must wear a jacket to enter this hot spot, but not on Mondays when the joint is closed.

Open Gate
Via San Nicola da Tolentino 4
Phone: +39 06 42 000848
Looking for a pulsating, rhythmic Latin beat that travels throughout your entire body? Check out the disco and live music which can be enjoyed while you nibble at a nit of Cuban, Brazilian and Mexican food

Jonathan's Angels: Quirkiest Bar in Rome!

Jonathan's Angels is one of the most bizarre bars I have ever been to. It is owned by an ex-circus acrobat, Jonathan, who is also a bit if an artist......the bar is decorated in paintings of the man himself, impersonating famous people - eg. Jonathan as the Pope, Jonathan as Napoleon etc Any wall space not covered with paintings of Jonathan is covered with other quirky paraphernalia. But the most bizarre of all is the toilet, which is worth a visit, even if you don't need to "go". Staff are friendly and drinks are good, but not cheap - well worth a visit though!!

No one takes any notice of you, there is too much else to see here!!

Via della Fossa 16, Piazza Navona, Rome
http://www.worldsbestbars.com/city/Rome/JonothansAngels.asp

Vineria il Chianti: Fabulous Wine Bar near Trevi Fountain

Thanks to a tip that I read on VT before our latest trip to Rome, we popped to Vineria il Chianti one evening and had a fabulous night. We were lucky enough to get a seat out the front in a small courtyard, and settled back to enjoy a glass or 3 of some delicious Italian wines. There is an extensive wine list and also a fabulous food menu. Service was friendly and efficent, and a great night was had by all - I highly recommend this place!

We were pretty daggy looking.....had been site seeing all day...
Address: Via del Lavatore 81-82, Rome - Just off Piazza di Trevi

Bar San Callisto: One of the liveliest terrace in Trastevere

In my favourite Rome neighbourhood, Trastevere, in a little square just between Viale Trastevere and Piazza Santa Maria in Trastevere, lies the Bar San Callisto , an unpretentious, no fuss bar that became one of my favourite hang-out. The bar in itself is not much to look at but the terrace gets filled up at night with students and the local bohemian crowd. The tiny square is quite cozy, it is facing the old San Callisto church, now abandoned. The drinks are cheap, it’s a very relaxing place and it’s easy to make new friends here.

Piazza San Callisto

double face: Trastè, tea & cocktail

Great place in the heart of trastevere!! Up to the 08pm the atmosphere is soft and relaxing with nice music. Great the low couches and the soft lights. Excellent as it tea room or for eat a creps. The evening, up to late night, the music increases the volume and becomes chillout, the cocktails are excellent and the atmosphere becomes crazy. Not to lose!!!
Trastevere Rome
Phone: +39 06 5894430
Directions: Rome - Italy
Website: http://www.traste.it/traste.en

Da Otello: Nightlife in Trastevere

When it comes to eating out, you can never go wrong wandering around Trastevere at night. Very scenic and romantic, there are probably more restaurants and cafes there per square foot than in any other area in Rome. Some are cheap, some are dear, so check out the menu before you commit. My personal favourite restaurant is Da Otello. Great food, great service, very reasonable prices. They open at 19:00 for dinner and if you wish to sit outside you would want to be there as early as possible as seats fill up pretty fast.

Via della Pelliccia, 47-53 - In the heart of Trastevere

Zest Bar: Es Hotel

At the seventh-floor roof top bar of the fantastic Es Hotel. This place has got an interior of sleek ergonomic chairs, polished black surfaces and a clean-lined bar counter. And the view below of the tracks and trains of Termini Station is another shock to the senses, but I definitely think you will all like the Roman babes and their boys who dine and drink in here: gorgeous, tanned, designer-clad 30-somethings from the film and fashion world. Of course hip foreign guests like you get to join them. ; -) In winter the roof closes in to keep you all warm but I like it best in summer when the pool deck opens and we lounge under the sun sipping bellinis and dining on Mediterranean salads.

Es Hotel Via F Turati 171

Spago: Spago

This is a historic bar in the centre of Testaccio with an eclectic mix of music, drinks and décor. It's part bar, part music venue and part gallery space, with local painters and photographers getting to display their work on the walls. Pretty cool for a casual night out.
Via Monte Testaccio

Goa: Goa in Roma

This is a really cool club, very different from the rest of the nightclubs in Rome. The music is, house, electro, or music you might hear in Goa. Almost Bollywood'ish. And they serve ethnic, frozen cocktails that taste really really good!
via libetta, 13

For The First Night

Al 34: Good Value in the Pricey Spanish Steps Area

Al 34 is one of my favorite places to take people our first night in Rome, especially if they're suffering from jet lag. They open at 7:30, the food is quite good, prices are very reasonable, the interior is charming, and the service is efficient. If you want, you can eat and get out in an hour. But if you want to linger, you can do that, too. It's very close to the Piazza di Spagna, and less than a 10 minute walk to the Trevi Fountain (which I recommend for an after dinner walk.) This is a very popular place, so be sure to make a reservation.

Risotto alle erbe (risotto with herbs and spinach). It is incredibly good! Match it with an insalata verde (green salad) or prusciuto e melone, or caprese (tomato, fresh buffala mozzarella and fresh basil salad), and you've got a fabulous meal. Add a carafe of house wine and a glass of limoncello for "un digestivo" and you've got a total Italian experience.

Via Mario dei Fiori, 34 - Close to the Spanish Steps. Head down Via Condotti and turn right on Via Mario dei Fiori. The restaurant will be on your left.

LINKS

Metaverso - in the heart of Testaccio, a good choice for d n'b, electronic, chill out. Famous guest dj's. Nice atmosphere.

Bluecheese - breakbeat, drum n'base with resident djs, a place to go when your night doesn't take off.

Il Locale - close to Piazza Navona, live music with the best bands and singers of Rome.

Piper Club - one of the most famous clubs in Rome, since the Sixties the temple of the "swinging Rome".

Bush - different music every night.

Gilda - another very famous club in Rome. Italian actors and other V.I.P. go there.

Alien Disco Club - a well known club in Rome.

BigMama - the home of Blues in Rome. Live gigs (blues,jazz, rock, etno).

Classico Village - a real multi-cultural center : dance club, art exhibitions, live concerts.

The Jazz Hole - live music, jam sessions, theme .

	Pub e Live Music : Margò 2000 Viale Regina Margherita 168 tel. 06/8841224 Nomentano www.margo2000.it
	Live Music : The Place via Alberico II 27/29 Vaticano www.theplace.it
	Live Music : Fonclea Via Crescenzio 82/a, tel. 06/6896302 Prati www.fonclea.it