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Rome, Italy, is one of the world’s greatest cocktail cities. Over the years, many Rome bars have appeared on prestigious drinks lists, including the World’s 50 Best Bars. Neighborhoods like Trastevere, Monti, and the Centro Storico are packed with excellent places to drink. Here are my favorite cocktail bars in Rome, including everything from bars specializing in the classics to speakeasies to inventive mixologists creating some of the most inventive cocktails you’ll ever encounter.
The Best Cocktail Bars in Rome
The Jerry Thomas Project
The name Jerry Thomas is legendary in cocktail culture. The New Yorker is known as the father of American mixology, having operated bars and written the famed book Bar-Tender’s Guide AKA How to Mix Drinks or The Bon-Vivant’s Companion.
A group of friends opened a speakeasy dedicated to the craft in 2010 and named it after Jerry Thomas. This bar repeatedly appeared on the World’s 50 Best Bars list.
While the Jerry Thomas Speakeasy is members-only, membership is hardly exclusive, aside from the difficulty of getting a reservation or being patient with the queue (though time limits do keep things moving). Just be prepared to pay a 5 Euro membership fee. Also, smoking is allowed inside as a result, which is also the case with some other top Rome cocktail bars (but none of the others on my list).
In addition to Jerry Thomas Speakeasy, the proprietors have also opened another concept called Jerry Thomas Bar Room in Trastevere.
Book your hotel in Rome now!As much as I love inventive cocktails, sometimes it’s nice to visit a cocktail bar mostly focused on classic cocktails served in an impeccably appointed environment.
After buzzing at the door, we were welcomed inside. Stepping into Jerry Thomas Bar Room is like stepping into the lounge of a train car, reminiscent of the Orient Express.
There’s wood paneling and flooring, with luggage racks above. A mellow classic rock, R&B, and jazz soundtrack keeps things tethered to the modern age.
It’s a tiny bar with just six small round tables, making it the perfect place for a date.
The cocktail menu features classics with some slight twists using their own ingredients. I enjoyed a Manhattan and then a Sazerac, two of my favorites, which were well-crafted.
As we sipped while enjoying some snacks, we chatted with the friendly bartenders, who gave us some recommendations for excellent cocktail bars to visit in Naples later in our trip.
Address: Vicolo Cellini, 30, 00186 Roma RM, Italy (map) – Jerry Thomas Speakeasy
Address: Via del Moro, 10, 00153 Roma RM, Italy (map) – Jerry Thomas Bar Room
Website
Freni e Frizioni
Speaking of the World’s 50 Best Bars list, Freni E Frizioni is another regular.
While many of the bars on that list can be pretentious, Freni E Frizioni (Brakes & Clutches) is the opposite. With a “Punk is not dead” theme and an ethos focusing on batch-made cheap drinks, it feels more like a bar for young drinkers than something on a fancy list.
But that’s the whole point. Drinking for a reasonable price doesn’t have to mean drinking garbage. Anyone should be able to drink a quality cocktail without having to be fancy.
Time it right, and you can grab some food at the free buffet, which has a lot of vegetarian and vegan options and runs until about 9 pm.
There are a few tables inside Freni E Frizioni, but most patrons sit on the patio with views toward the River Tiber or the steps leading down to the busy streets of Trastevere.
The inventive drinks menu had a 2×1 theme when I visited. The concept was that each cocktail had a potential add-on that would create an alternate version.
For example, my first drink was called the PBJ (Peanut Butter Jelly). The base was made from Bulleit Rye infused with Roasted Peanuts, Berry Syrup, and Vanilla Bitters. However, I opted for the “Manhattan version,” which meant that the drink also included Baldoria Rosso, Tio Pepe, & Ten Tea.
The interesting concoction was delicious.
We also enjoyed the Cardinal Sin. The drink had a perfectly balanced blend of interesting flavors, including Campari, Tia Maria, Marsala Florio, Disaronno distilled with Apricot, Saffron, and White Chocolate. Other favorites of ours include the Ambo and the Impeach-Mint.
The menu changes periodically. The menu following “2×1” was a wheel themed as “Night Out,” with options for any time of the evening.
While some places on the “50 Best Bars” lists are there because they are fancy, some are there simply because they offer great, inventive cocktails. Freni E Frizioni is definitely the latter. With many drinks being around 10 Euros, the price is a bonus.
Address: Via del Politeama, 4, 00153 Roma RM, Italy (map)
Website
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Drink Kong
Drink Kong oozes cool. With neon touches, velvet booths, and sensuous curves, the well-designed bar impresses before you’ve even had a drink. Or food.
As much as I enjoy sitting at bars to watch bartenders work, at Drink Kong, the lounge area’s tables are the place to go for a swanky night out.
It’s one of the best Rome cocktail bars for having food along with your drinks, featuring an Asian-focused menu that includes sushi, dumplings, bao, and more. The cocktail menu also changes occasionally.
My first drink, the Gaijin, was an inventive combo of Nikka Coffey Grain whisky (a distillery I once visited in Hokkaido, Japan), miso, and pineapple. It was a delightful combination of flavors served in this unique bowl.
Again, Drink Kong is on the “50 Best Bars” list, and it’s easy to see why. It’s an impressive place with quality drinks and food, attention to design, and a fun 70s and 80s pop, dance, and funk soundtrack. The focus on being cool might be a turnoff to some, but I don’t mind it every once in a while.
Address: Piazza di S. Martino Ai Monti, 8, 00184 Roma RM, Italy (map)
Website
Wisdomless Club
Speaking of cool, Wisdomless Club is cool in a different way. The dark cocktail bar and tattoo parlor is located on one of Rome’s alleyways near Piazza Navona, giving it an air of mystique that continues once inside.
It’s a quirky place with old leather furniture, rich wood paneling, bookshelves, taxidermy, and interesting objects scattered around, a bit like The Last Tuesday Society in London.
The staff members are clad in white jackets, giving the feel of a throwback to an older era, yet not stuffy, thanks to the laid-back vibe and chill rock and blues playing.
All of the cocktails are very well made. Everyone involved is a true connoisseur of the drinks and the whole experience while also not being overly pretentious. Wisdomless Club has a speakeasy vibe without having to jump through speakeasy hoops.
The cocktail menu (which changes roughly annually and had a Yacht Club theme when I first visited) has creative takes on classic drinks.
For my first cocktail, I enjoyed the Ran, which contained Wild Turkey bourbon, salted caramel, acqua di miele bio, and a secret house mix.
I then had the Joshua Slocum, which had Johnnie Walker Black and Talisker whiskies, along with nori and salted peach, giving an enjoyable peach tea vibe.
Address: Via Sora, 33, 00186 Roma RM, Italy (map)
Website
NODO
NODO stands for “Non-ordinary Drinks Organization,” and that’s exactly what it is. It’s an under-the-radar spot serving inventive cocktails, a place to go if you want something really different.
The bar is a chill spot on a bustling little square called Piazza delle Coppelle. The patio space is the most popular place to sit when the weather is nice, but inside, there is a lovely lounge with gold velvet sofas, other velvet-accented furniture, and botanical wallpaper.
NODO’s cocktails include a creative list of signature drinks and classics. They will also make you something custom based on your preferences. The food menu includes tapas from around the world as well as platters.
My drink, Il Gatto Con Gli Stivali, contained tequila, turnip-top cordial, Ancho Reyes Verde, basilicum syrup, fennel biscuit, and cherry liqueur. It was a crazy combination of flavors, but I loved it. The intriguing cocktail was salty and citrusy, with just a hint of spice and fennel.
Address: Piazza delle Coppelle, 52, 00186 Roma RM, Italy (map)
Website
Bar San Calisto
Bar San Calisto is one of the highlights of an evening of Trastevere. It’s a quintessential budget spot for locals from all walks of life and visitors to Rome.
During the daytime, Bar San Calisto is known for coffee and cream buns called Maritozzi (as highlighted by the esteemed Stanley Tucci). The buns are a must-eat food in Rome.
It becomes a busy social hub at night, especially on weekend nights, as patrons spill out of the bar, filling the plaza outside.
Address: Piazza di S. Calisto, 3, 00153 Roma RM, Italy (map)
Website
Blackmarket Hall
Deep down in a basement in Monti, below the former Overlook Hotel, you’ll find Blackmarket Hall.
The cocktail bar is modeled on grand hotel halls, yet it’s bright and lively inside, with a cozy warmth. Their signature drinks are inspired by cinema, music, and storytelling.
My first drink was the Cookie – Tiki – Room, which was influenced by the cinematic masterpiece “Home Alone 2.” The menu described it as refreshing, mellow, and playful.
It included a unique but fun combination of Havana 3y infused with Cookies, Matusalem 15y Rum, Tangerine Liqueur, Cookies & Almond Syrup, Lime, & Cinnamon.
Later, I enjoyed the 13th Floor, which was inspired by the Hotel Monteleone in New Orleans and its famed Carousel bar. The cocktail, which was correctly described as full-bodied, soft, and dreamy, included Brandy Vecchia Romagna infused with Butter, Matusalem 15y Rum, Palo Santo Syrup, and Walnuts & Figs Bitters.
Blackmarket Hall is another excellent Rome bar to check out if you’re also hungry, as the food menu is more substantial than most places. It includes platters, bruschetta, tartare, burgers, and more. There are also aperitivo tasting menus early each evening, plus plenty of vegetarian and vegan options.
Address: Via de’ Ciancaleoni, 31, 00184 Roma RM, Italy (map)
Website
Libreria Caffè Bohémien
Monti is one of my favorite neighborhoods in Rome, so here’s another local bar I love.
Libreria Caffè Bohémien doesn’t have fancy cocktails or some gimmick theme. It’s a great neighborhood cocktail bar serving quality drinks and food.
Inside, there are books everywhere and art pieces. But it’s not a stuffy place, even with the word “library” in the name. Big open doors let a bit of a breeze in, or you can sit outside on the patio. Animated conversation fills the air, along with alternative rock and 80s music.
I went with a well-crafted Manhattan from their classic cocktails menu. We also split a platter, which was one of my favorite platters in Rome.
Address: Via degli Zingari, 36, 00184 Roma RM, Italy (map)
Saltimbocca
Rome is filled with excellent pasta restaurants. These trattorias aren’t often known for their cocktails, but there was one spot near Piazza Navona that stood out to me.
Saltimbocca is the rare gem in a touristy area: A restaurant that’s loved by both locals and visitors, serving good food and drinks without ripping anyone off.
The cocktail list includes their own signature creations, as well as classics, frozen drinks, and nonalcoholic options. All of their syrups and infusions are homemade.
I liked the gin fashion, which I had with their carbonara, a house favorite dish.
Address: Via di Tor Millina, 5, 00186 Roma RM, Italy (map)
Milea Art & Food
While many parts of Trastevere are packed and busy with bars and restaurants, Milea Art and Food is a quieter nightlife spot that’s a bit more relaxing.
It’s a spacious bar & restaurant, but it doesn’t necessarily feel like it because there are many rooms. There’s comfy, eclectic old furniture and art on the walls.
Milea’s cocktail menu is massive. It took me a while to look through it and figure out what I wanted from their lists of signature drinks and twisted classics.
I chose the enjoyable Amaro Manhattan, made from rye whiskey, Amaro Nonino, Vermouth Cocchi Dopo Teatro, and orange bitters.
Address: Via della Lungaretta, 164, 00153 Roma RM, Italy (map)
Website
These are just some of the great cocktail bars in Rome. What are your favorites?
Here are some great Rome tours & things to see & do in Rome.
If you’re looking for a place to stay, check out these Rome hotels.
