7 Best Bars in Venice

Guest post by Alexander & Laura of the expert travel blog, Lost Between Oceans.

Venice, known for its beautiful canals, bridges, and architecture, is also home to some of the most beautiful bars in the world.

On our recent trip to the city, which started in Lake Como, and ended in Sorrento at the Amalfi Coast, my friends and I decided to do a pub crawl in search of the best bars in Venice.

From trendy rooftop bars to cosy wine bars, we were blown away by the variety and quality of the drinking spots in the city. In this post, we share with you our favourite 7 bars in Venice, their secret(ish) locations, features, and what makes each bar stand out.

1. Skyline Rooftop Bar

Located on top of the Hilton Molino Stucky Hotel, the Skyline rooftop bar offers AMAZING views of Venice. It’s a bit pricey, but worth it for the stunning sunset views over the city. The Skyline Rooftop Bar has been recognized as one of the coolest rooftop bars in Venice by the Luxury Restaurant Awards.

Location: Giudecca 810, 30133 Venice, Italy.
Dress code: smart casual.
Reservation in advance: recommended.
Price range: €€€ As with most rooftop bars located in luxury hotels, you can expect a higher-than-average price range. Expect between 20 and 25 euros for one of their 16 signature cocktails.

2) Al Bottegon

Completely different to Skyline Rooftop Bar is this Al Bottegon wine bar. Tucked away in a narrow street, it has a cosy atmosphere and offers delicious wines and cicchetti (Venetian tapas). It’s also a great spot for people-watching. The bar has been unchanged since the 1950s.

Location: Fondamenta Nani 961, Dorsoduro, Venice, Italy.
Ambience: Al Bottegon is situated on a quiet canal-side lane, which gives it a unique charm. It’s a part of Venice that feels untouched by modern-day tourism.
Food and drink: Al Bottegon has an excellent wine selection (they were voted 2nd in Venice as Wine Bar). It offers fantastic cicchetti for €1.30 and is considered one of the best value-to-quality places to eat and drink in all of Venice.
Dress code: casual.
Reservation in advance: recommended (call ahead).
Price range: €€

3) Harry’s Bar

Harry’s bar is famous for being the birthplace of the Bellini cocktail. Near Piazza San Marco, this elegant bar has an old-world charm and a renowned cocktail list. Throughout the years, Harry’s Bar has been a spot for writers, painters, aristocrats, and royalty would meet. famous names like Truman Capote and Ernest Hemingway have visited the bar. The enduring appeal of this spot can be attributed to its motto: ‘service, freedom and lack of imposition’.

Location: Calle Vallaresso 1323, Venice, near Saint Mark’s Square, on the bank of the Grand Canal.
Dress code: casual chic (despite the bartenders dressed in white tuxedos!)
Reservation: Necessary.
Price range: €€€

4) Osteria ai Osti

In the very heart of Venice, this bar is housed in a beautiful 16th-century building. It’s known for its fantastic selection of wines and authentic Venetian food, including marinated fish and prawns.

Location: Calle San Felice 3849, 30121 Venice.
Dress code: casual chic.
Reservation: recommended.
Price range: €€€

5) Riviera

This chic cocktail bar is located in the trendy Dorsoduro neighbourhood. It has a modern and stylish décor and offers an impressive cocktail menu. Next to cocktails, they offer delicious food. We started off with the seafood starter. The carpaccio variation of four different types of raw fish served with raspberries was just nothing short of amazing. The homemade Chitarrucci (spaghetti) with monkfish, spinach and dried cherry tomatoes was absolute perfection!

Location: Fondamenta Zattere Al Ponte Lungo, 1473, Venice 30123.
Dress code: casual chic.
Reservation: recommended.
Price range: €€€

6) Bacaro Jazz Club

Bacaro Jazz Club is a great spot for live music lovers. This cosy bar has vintage decor and serves up an impressive selection of wines and cocktails. They have live jazz performances every night. Remember that the music will be loud so this might not be your best conversational bar but its really all about the performance – enjoying a real Italian wine whilst listening to jazz can make your evening!

Location: San Marco 5546, Venice, Italy 30124. It’s situated near the Rialto Bridge in the heart of Venice.
Dress code: casual.
Reservation: recommended.
Price range: €€

7) Bar Longhi

This bar is located inside the historic Gritti Palace Hotel and has a sophisticated and elegant atmosphere. It’s famous for its legendary Bellini cocktails and stunning views of the Grand Canal.

Location: Campo Santa Maria del Giglio, 30100, Venice. It’s situated within the Gritti Palace, a historic hotel on the Grand Canal.
Dress code: casual chic will fit right in the elegant setting.
Reservation: recommended.
Price range: €€€

Venice is not only a city of canals and bridges but also a city with some of the best bars in the world. Whether you’re in the mood for live music, a romantic evening out, or historic cocktails, these bars are sure to impress. So go ahead and raise a glass to La Dolce Vita!

So, there you have it—the Lost Between Ocean’s guide to the best 7 bars in Venice. Check out the full portfolio of homes in Venice and all our destinations at Oliver’s Travels. Contact our friendly concierge team for any more tips and advice on booking exciting extras during your stay.