The best aperitivo bars in Rome
The finest spots in the Eternal City for an authentic aperitivo
Marked by clinking glasses and a vibrant atmosphere, the aperitivo is the quintessential social ritual, unfolding as daylight fades over the city’s rooftops into sunset. It is an effortless moment to unwind after a busy day, with an expertly mixed cocktail and savoury bites to tempt your palate.
In the Italian capital, choosing among the places that populate the urban jungle of the food & beverage scene is increasingly tricky. Flawless has carefully selected the best spots for an aperitivo in Rome, taking in rooftop terraces with breathtaking views, secret courtyards, wine bars, traditional ‘latterie’ and exotic tiki bars. Try them all and find your favourite address!
Stravinskij Bar | Hotel de Russie
Via del Babuino, 9
Set inside Hotel De Russie, Stravinskij Bar is one of the most striking spots in Rome: a cocktail bar where old-world elegance blends with modern flair. Behind the cocktail list at Stravinskij is professional bartender Fulvio Pierangelini, who alongside his team serves mixology classics and heady new creations. Kick off your Italian aperitivo with a Stravinskij Spritz—a fruitier twist on the classic recipe—and soak up the serene atmosphere of this peaceful urban retreat.
LUDO Dine & Vibe
Corso Italia, 1
Set inside the creative nhow Rome, between Villa Borghese and Via Veneto, LUDO dine & vibe is the capital’s ‘dining club’ where play and experimentation take centre stage. LUDO welcomes guests into a pop-design setting, leading them from authentic Mediterranean flavours to vibrant signature cocktails. Start your evening with the exclusive Olive Oil Experience, a tasting of fine Italian olive oils served with fresh bread, and let yourself be carried along by DJ sets and live performances that effortlessly turn aperitivo into dinner and dinner into an immersive, free-flowing night.
Marco Martini Cocktail Bar
Viale Aventino, 121
A winter garden and a terrace with an Art Nouveau atmosphere right in the centre of the Eternal City. Marco Martini’s space is a magical realm of flavours where Roman authenticity reaches beyond regional borders to embrace international influences. It is the perfect address for an unconventional aperitivo combining gourmet bites and signature cocktails: each drink is tailored to match a dedicated menu, striking a delicate balance between taste and aesthetics.
The Court
Via Labicana, 125
Hotel Palazzo Manfredi is a destination for global travellers, renowned for its prime location and Michelin-starred restaurant Aroma. On the ground floor of this elegant setting sits The Court, a cocktail bar overlooking the Colosseum. This exclusive venue serves classic and signature cocktails crafted with revolutionary techniques by Matteo Zed, a true alchemist of international mixology.
Il Goccetto
Via dei Banchi Vecchi, 14
A go-to spot for Roman wine lovers, Il Goccetto is one of the historic wine bars of the capital; a wine museum of sorts set in an 18th-century palazzo lined with hundreds of bottles, so many that local lore claims counting them all is impossible. Whites, reds, rosés, champagnes, sparkling wines, sweet and fortified wines, spirits and even a few beers: a local, Italian and international selection to enjoy with friends at Via dei Banchi Vecchi 14.
Chorus Cafè
Via della Conciliazione 4
Rumour has it the best Martini in Rome is served here, at Chorus Cafè. A modern venue with a dual spirit: an upscale restaurant led by chef Andrea Sangiuliano and a lively cocktail bar serving as a playground for Massimo D’Addezio’s experiments. The cocktail list features inventive options split between house classics and original blends. It is an invitation to leave your drinking comfort zone in the capable hands of one of Italy’s finest barmen, paired with delicious dishes from the kitchen.
Magazzino Scipioni
Via degli Scipioni, 30
Minimalist lines, exposed concrete and high ceilings: understatement defines this venue, reflecting the evolution of an old building that served first as a coffee roastery, then a warehouse, and now a wine bar and enoteca. Magazzino Scipioni in Prati is dedicated to all things wine, offering a list packed with bottles carefully selected by the team after close research into the area. It is the ideal spot for an aperitivo over charcuterie boards and hard-to-find wines on constant rotation.
Locarno Bar
Via della Penna, 22
Time seems to stand still at Hotel Locarno’s bar, where Art Deco touches carry you away on a journey to bygone eras. Bringing you back to the present are the inventive drinks of acclaimed mixologist Nicholas Pinna, whose creations are paired with tempting bar snacks. Add a sweeping view over the domes of Piazza del Popolo and Trinità dei Monti, and you have all the ingredients for a memorable evening.
Latteria Garbatella
Piazza Geremia Bonomelli, 9
This innovative venue grew out of a project by two friends who set out to revamp and restore Rome’s first dairy shop using eco-friendly materials. Today a bistro and cocktail bar, Latteria Garbatella ranks among the 50 best bars in Italy and stands as a key reference for dining and drinking both locally and nationally. Here, the food and drinks follow an eco-friendly green approach, respecting the environment. Browse the cocktail list and order an Elisir—a drink enriched with botanical ingredients grown directly on their rooftop garden—accompanied by meat or fish tartares and carpaccios, the real highlights of this lively spot.
