Great Bars and Cafes in Centro Storico (Rome)

The Nag's Head

Young bands often play in this Scottish-style pub, which transforms into a late night disco from Thursday to Sunday. It offers draft beers such as double malt Slalom, Guinness and McEwans and traditional Italian dishes and Tex-Mex food, as well as Scottish and Irish meals.

Vini e Buffet

This lovely wine bar has a wide choice of Italian wines and is always full, thanks also to its location near the historic center of town. It is spread over two floors and so has plenty of space for all the customers and a great variety of salads, pâtés and other cold dishes are offered.

Caffè Novecento

Caffè Novecento stands out from other cocktail bars in Rome for its art exhibitions and live music. On Fridays and Saturdays it is open after the theaters shut. Aperitifs, light meals and homemade desserts all served. It is a friendly and welcoming place where one can go to escape the noise and crowds.

Mercedes Café

Just off the Via del Corso , this is a small cocktail bar. Spread over two levels, it is furnished in a Mercedes car style. Downstairs the floor is fitted with dozens of tiny lights which are an unusual effect. The cocktail bar is on the quieter first floor. There are over 100 cocktails to choose from with a wide selection of hot and cold foods.

Il Circo Volante

Frequented by a great many young Romans and tourists, this disco bar located near Piazza Navona has enjoyed great success. There is music to dance to every night and cabaret and live bands at weekends. The modern furnishings are appropriate for the numerous art and photographic shows of up and coming artists held here. They offer a good selection of food, from buschette to gigantic salads to panini, soft drinks and beer.

Ciampini

When in Rome, behave like the Romans do; so take the locals' advice and step into Ciampini. The decor is stylish and there is outdoor seating under colorful umbrellas. Always buzzing with activity, it is indeed the perfect place to spend a relaxed evening with friends. Pick your favorites from the assorted pastas, salads, cappuccinos and espressos on the menu. It sells the best gelato in town do make a bee-line for it!

Supperclub

If you never completely got over the habit of eating in bed, here's where you can indulge without guilt. One of four such restaurants in Europe and America, this restaurant cum performance bar is strictly for adults, and features exotic dancers, among other shows. Recommended dishes include a veggie gaspacho with smoked salmon, truffle-stuffed lamb and a traditional Mediterranean dessert. Please buy yourself a new pair of socks before you drop in—patrons are asked to remove their footwear on entry. The dress code is outrageously expressive—this is where things get a tad wild, so watch out!

Freni e Frizioni

A relaxed atmosphere, cool music, a hip young crowd, inventive cocktails and endless healthy free food. This is what to expect from Freni Frizioni, one of the best examples of an ‘aperitivo' bar that Rome has to offer. Popular in the north of Italy, the aperitivo is Italy's answer to pre-dinner cocktails. Couscous, grilled vegetables, bruschetta and pastas are constantly replenished as the stylish young crowd chows down while sipping on their drinks. The bar itself has a laid back alternative vibe with mix-matched vintage furniture, stacks of club flyers and blasting beats. Once an auto body shop, hence the name: Freni (breaks) and Frizioni (clutch), the bar accommodates patrons both inside as well as outside on the large adjacent piazza. A favorite among Romans in the know, especially during the summer when the outside piazza is in full swing, this bar retains its allure well into the night, closing at 2a. 

Caffe Fandango

Very close to the Parliament and the Pantheon in the stone square is the 'Caffe Fandango'. It is owned by Italy's only art-film distributor. A chic, trendy and upscale restaurant its fun with a lot of cultural and literary events happening here as well. You can watch a film in the projection room backstage while having food there. It has a fixed menu that is served throughout the day. There are literary presentations, theatrical exhibitions, musical improvisations, reading and lessons of cinema too. Discuss the subtle nuances of a film over smoked ham pie or sip on a coffee while you mull over a discussion.

Bar La Terrazza

Bar La Terrazza at the Hotel Eden is a bar that is famed for its great views. Located on the rooftop, one can enjoy the spellbinding views while nursing a good drink. Relaxing at the bar is a pleasurable experience, swirling around a crystal glass with whiskey on the rocks with soothing piano in the background and the summer breeze for company. Access the whole bar and you will find it difficult to choose from the vast choice of cocktails and wines.

Shaki

Shaki is the trendy place to be at. Cozy and popular with the young, a great place to be seen at after a bit of designer shopping. Catch your breath at this cafe and casual wine bar, thats what all the moneyed people do after a tiring day of high end shopping. Although you would be surprised, the menu is surprisingly affordable and highly satisfactory. There is a small but good collection of wines as well.

Obikà Mozzarella Bar

Obikà Mozzarella Bar, is the only restaurant bar where all one gets is this soft white cheese; Mozzarella. If you want to see how a plain cheese can be made into an interesting nibble, visit Obika. It is only here that one may find vegetables and meat used as sidekicks. Try the buffalo mozzarella sampler, burrata, fiordilatte mozzarella or mozzarella served with cherry tomatoes and spicy calabrian salami, you are bound to be delighted.