There are no places that can quite compare to the best bars in Venice, perhaps because drinking in the floating city feels so discreetly luxurious. Starting as early as 10 a.m., locals gather at bacari, the ubiquitous gimmick-free old-school taverns, to pair their ombra, or small pour of wine, with bite-sized snacks known as cicchetti. You can start your evening at these standing-room-only watering holes or make a night out of it–just wear comfy shoes.
Walking into bars in Venice is a bit like stepping through a time portal. Through one door is the 1930s and the original home of the Bellini. Through another a wine bar that unchanged since the 19th century with nostalgic bites. Through a third a divey, punk past you might have seen in lower Manhattan in the 80s. At least one spritz veneziano, localized thanks to Select bitter, is obligatory when in town, but don’t limit yourself to the Italian aperitivo classics. Innovative cocktail bars abound, both inside posh hotels and interwoven into the mysterious maze of canals and calle.
You just need to know where to look, so let this list of the best bars in Venice serve as your starting point.
Read our complete Venice travel guide here, which includes:
How we choose the best bars in Venice
Every bar on this list has been selected independently by Condé Nast Traveler editors and reviewed by a local contributor who has visited that restaurant. Our editors consider both high-end and affordable eateries, and weigh stand-out dishes, location, and service—as well as inclusivity and sustainability credentials. We update this list as new bars open and existing ones evolve.
