Venice

Birthplace of the Bellini — a mix of Prosecco and white peach juice — and Carpaccio, Harry's is an iconic 1930s bar near St Mark's Square, which focuses on creating an inviting atmosphere that welcomes everybody with open arms. Having a cocktail where Humphrey Bogart, Truman Capote, and Ernest Hemingway drank is definitely something of an experience.

In an overly touristic city like Venice, Osteria Ai Pugni is a local gem. A rustic, wood-beamed wine bar serving cicchetti (small snacks or side dishes), plus wines and cocktails in a lovely location by a canal.

Vineria all'Amarone is a lovely wine bar, tucked away in a quiet alley, offering an extensive selection of Italian wines both by the bottle and by the glass, with a focus on the Valpolicella region, to be paired with cicchetti finger food, pizza, or seafood pasta.

Piccolo Mondo is the oldest and only disco club in Venice. Born as an art gallery in 1963, today, El Souk (its original name) is a club with a bar vibe where university students meet, dance, and have fun until the early hours of the morning.

Right between the two main tourist attractions of Rialto Bridge and St Mark's Square, you can find this quirky cocktail bar and restaurant, where visitors' lingerie decorate the ceiling. Attracting a mix of locals and tourists, Bacaro Jazz has been around since 1997 and offers cocktails, a wide selection of beers, plus tasty food and a jazz soundtrack.

Right on the beach on the island of Lido, this large bar and nightclub give the jet-setters of Venice the right summer vibes. Coloured lights, popular DJs, large white sunbeds, and fruity cocktails contribute to creating just the right atmosphere.

At the award-winning Bar Dandolo, in the 14th-century luxury Hotel Danieli, guests can relax in a beautiful setting embellished with the famous Murano chandeliers and sip perfectly-made classical cocktails. Live music performances take place several nights a week.

Even if the party doesn't go on until the very sunrise, this vibrant, student-friendly hangout does come to life after midnight. The drink menu includes a wide array of beers, wines and cocktails, and the food list comprises snacks like burgers, club sandwiches, piadina and antipasti, all at fair prices. And if you're a football fan, you can watch live matches on the big screens.

Once you step inside this vibrant bar, the origin of its name becomes evident — the walls are entirely awash with a funky hue of orange. House music sets the lively tone, while a terrace provides a picturesque view of Campo Santa Margherita — one of Venice's most enchanting squares. Catering to the tastes of Venice's trendsetting crowd, the bar offers an extensive array of wines and cocktails, alongside a diverse menu of bites and burgers.

El Refolo is a bustling but welcoming wine bar where locals come to enjoy a spritz and some appetizers. Sit down outdoors and watch people passing by while sipping on a glass of good Italian wine, possibly accompanied by salami or cheeses.

Al Squero owes its name to its location in front of Squero di San Trovaso, one of Venice's traditional gondola boatyards. It is a traditional bacaro — the term Venetians use for bars — offering a vast selection of cicchetti (small bites) and other snacks. As for drinks, you can order wine, beer, or cocktails like the typical Venetian Spritz. There is little seating inside, but people usually consume outdoors, on the picturesque side of the canal.