The best cocktail bars in Venice for expertly crafted drinks
Top Venetian mixology destinations for a memorable drink
Renowned worldwide for the classic Spritz and the fragrant Bellini, Venice reveals, alley by alley, an inspiring collection of spots where having a drink becomes an authentic celebration of ‘fine drinking‘ in the city. Bridging East and West, heritage and experiment, the Serenissima offers inventive cocktail lists where mixology blends seasonal, local produce, often enlivened by an exotic twist.
For a guaranteed memorable toast across the lagoon, FLAWLESS has selected the best cocktail bars in Venice for expertly crafted drinks. Cheers!
Gran Caffè Quadri
Piazza San Marco, 121
Ideal for an aperitivo in Piazza San Marco, GRAN CAFFÈ QUADRI pairs refined takes on traditional Venetian ‘cicchetti’ with an intriguing signature cocktail menu. Raffaele Alajmo and Leonardo Cisotto have devised 11 interpretations of the Martini, including the Dirty Black Truffle Martini with black truffle and the J Martini with saffron, liquorice powder and gold leaf. The tempting list also celebrates the city with eight varieties of Spritz, including the Alajmo with Barbaresco chinato and a signature dedicated to Philippe Starck, made with Campari, Franciacorta, angostura and lime.
Bar Longhi
Campo Santa Maria del Giglio, 2467
Mirrors, Murano glass sconces and green marble surfaces adorn the room where Hemingway spent his evenings while staying in Venice. Set inside the historic The Gritti Palace, this cocktail bar charms with its timeless elegance. The name comes from the 18th-century paintings lining the walls, all from the school of Pietro Longhi. The menu features timeless classics and international specials, while the expansive terrace on the Grand Canal overlooking Santa Maria della Salute makes an idyllic setting for a sunset aperitivo.
Harry’s Bar
Calle Vallaresso, 1323
If you plan to order a Bellini, this is where the drink was born. Founded near Piazza San Marco by Giuseppe Cipriani in 1931, HARRY’S BAR is an iconic Venetian institution that created the velvety, peach-scented drink inspired by painter Giovanni Bellini’s colour palette. Over the decades, it has hosted Arturo Toscanini, Georges Braque, Truman Capote, Charlie Chaplin, Peggy Guggenheim, Orson Welles and Ernest Hemingway. Alongside traditional cocktails, HARRY’S BAR also serves classic Venetian cuisine, where legend has it that Carpaccio was first invented.
Skyline Rooftop Bar
Giudecca, 810
Perched on the eighth floor of Hilton Molino Stucky Venice, this rooftop terrace with a panoramic pool commands breathtaking views across Venice. The signature menu features 21 cocktails crafted exclusively by the house bartenders, balancing bold spirits with exotic and botanical touches. Highlights include the MugniFigue, combining bourbon and whisky with pear juice, lime, fig mostarda and egg white, and the Carrot Parrot, blending carrot juice, lemon and rosemary syrup with the elderflower aroma of Saint Germain liqueur.
Experimental Cocktail Club
Fondamenta Zattere al Ponte Lungo, 1410
EXPERIMENTAL COCKTAIL CLUB is part of the venture by the Experimental Group, known for redefining cocktail culture across stylish bars and boutique hotels. Following Paris, New York, London and Ibiza, the group opened the Palazzo Experimental hotel in Venice. The Gothic Palazzo Molin in the Dorsoduro district was reimagined by Milanese designer Cristina Celestino, who paid tribute to Carlo Scarpa through coloured marble, mirrors and curving lines. The cocktails evolve with the seasons, keeping a close eye on local traditions.
Bar Gabbiano
Giudecca, 10
The bar at the historic Belmond Hotel Cipriani on Giudecca commands sweeping views across the San Marco basin. The hallmark drink at BAR GABBIANO is the Bellini, created by Giuseppe Cipriani in 1948 and mixed here only seasonally, when fresh, velvety peach juice is available. An insider note: regular guest George Clooney co-created two cocktails here with Walter Bolzonella — the Buonanotte, blending vodka, lime, brown sugar, angostura and cranberry, and Nina’s Passion, featuring elderflower and passion fruit, named after the actor’s mother.
Chet Bar
Dorsoduro, 3684
Favoured by a relaxed, youthful crowd, CHET BAR is a welcoming venue for an afternoon Spritz with friends or a peaceful late drink. It sits in Dorsoduro on Campo Santa Margherita, the lively focal point of student life in Venice. The interior, styled in contrasting black and white, offers a clean modern feel. Beside classic orders, the cocktail list is regularly updated with contemporary combinations and lively flavours.
Time Social Bar
Cannaregio, 1414
Time moves fast, but spending it over an expertly mixed drink is never time wasted. TIME SOCIAL BAR is located in the Cannaregio neighbourhood and brings an informal industrial style reminiscent of bars across northern Europe. It is a prime choice for an aperitivo or an after-dinner drink, serving cocktails with an adventurous spirit focused on aromatics and smoky infusions.
Oriental Bar
Riva degli Schiavoni, 41/49
Along Riva degli Schiavoni, ORIENTAL BAR at Hotel Metropole offers an exotic atmosphere appointed with Fortuny lamps, red damasks, Moroccan chests and antique Thai armour. The cocktail list references classic mixology recipes alongside signature creations, such as the Vivaldi Martini, pairing vodka and vanilla bitters with passion fruit, grapefruit and lime — a tribute to the composer who penned the Quattro Stagioni right in this building.
Il Mercante
Fondamenta Frari, 2564
Established through the restoration of the 19th-century Caffè dei Frari, where original murals survive on the ground floor, IL MERCANTE boasts an eclectic, exploratory soul. Its name honours the maritime heritage of Venice and trade voyages to the East. The drinks tell stories of great historical travellers, from Marco Polo to Magellan and Francis Drake. Centred primarily on rum and whiskey, the combinations are rich in exotic flavours, blending warm spices with creative fruit and vegetable infusions.
