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Rome, Italy’s bustling capital, is one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations, and for good reason. The city is packed with fantastic history and architecture. After a long day of walking and exploring Rome’s landmarks, there’s nothing better than a cold beer. Fortunately, there are a ton of excellent craft beer bars in Rome (although there aren’t many breweries yet). Here are my favorite places to drink craft beer in Rome, which are also great spots to get to know the city beyond the typical highlights.
Best Beer Bars in Rome
Ma Che Siete Venuti A Fà
Ma Che Siete Venuti A Fà has been one of the most beloved craft beer bars in Rome since 2001. The name, which translates to, “But what did you come to do?” comes from a chant from the fans of the owner’s beloved Lazio football team.
While Ma Che Siete Venuti A Fà does have a few TVs showing football (and is a destination during Lazio matches), the equal attraction is the beer selection, which is owner Manuele Colonna’s other true passion.
If you can snag one of the few seats at the bar, it’s a nice place to sit at the heart of the action. Crowds at Macchè spill out onto the street and fill the basement, so the 13 taps and three casks are always flowing.
The Trastevere bar makes the most of its space. Despite its small size, it does quick business, allowing for the frequent rotation of taps. The selection is also high-quality, with no spots wasted on anything mediocre.
Book your hotel in Rome now!There are Italian beers and imports from Belgium, Germany, and the United States. In addition to the taps, some bottles are inside sticker-covered fridges, many of which are from the famed brewery Cantillon.
Luckily, when I first arrived, a new Cantillon beer was on draft. Cantillon Nath is a lovely rhubarb beer.
While Macchè’s busyness might be intimidating for some, there’s no better place in Rome for quality beer.
Address: Via Benedetta, 25, 00153 Roma RM, Italy (map)
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Luppolo Station
Luppolo Station is another of my favorite Rome beer bars. It’s a bit south of the busy areas of Trastevere, but it’s worth the trip.
The spacious bar has tons of seating inside, including a basement area and an outside patio. There are lots of tables, but also some more eclectic furniture. Naturally, I gravitated towards that when I spotted a worn red leather chair with suitcases for a table. It all has a definite old pub feel.
Luppolo Station has 14 taps and well-stocked fridges full of beer, which is also available for takeaway. They also offer food, including burgers.
I especially enjoyed Le Pic, a spontaneously fermented grape ale aged in oak barrels from the French brewery Sacrilège.
On Fridays, there’s live jazz. Otherwise, a music playlist plays mostly rock, featuring garage, some psychedelic stuff, and post-punk.
Address: Via Giuseppe Parini, 4, 00152 Roma RM, Italy (map)
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Birra+
Birra+ is an excellent beer bar on the busy nightlife street Via del Pigneto. It’s one of my favorites in the city.
The crowd is lively and fun, aided by a great rock and punk vibe. There is also beer memorabilia covering the walls, including a Pliny the Elder sign.
The excellent beer selection features 12 taps, a cask, and two fridges. One fridge has a nice selection of mostly Italian beer, while another has large sour bottles. The bar also offers a solid selection of spirits, especially whiskey.
What I especially loved about Birra+ was that I got to try a beer style I’d never had: Lichtenhainer. A Lichtenhainer is a historical German style with a smoky sour flavor and a low ABV.
I know that doesn’t sound great, but somehow, it worked. The flavor combo was like having a smoked sausage with sauerkraut. I realize that still doesn’t sell it, but trust me, I really enjoyed it.
Address: Via del Pigneto, 105, 00176 Roma RM, Italy (map)
Luppulo 12
Luppulo 12 is an excellent bottle shop and beer bar near Roma Termini in San Lorenzo.
When I visited, the beer bar with 14 taps and two English pumps had been undergoing refurbishment for a couple of weeks. However, they did have five taps running in the shop, which was nice.
In addition to an expansive selection of over 250 beers, the shop sells wine, including natural wine. They even ship all over Europe.
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The selection included many interesting-looking imperial stouts and other heavy beers since those styles are normally in season in October. However, since the weather had failed to cool off, I had to opt for something lighter.
Address: Via dei Marrucini, 12, 00185 Roma RM, Italy (map)
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Ninkasi Craft Beer House
As you approach Ninkasi Craft Beer House, it doesn’t look like there’s a whole lot in this area near the old Rome city walls. However, you’ll find a nice place to enjoy beer once you head inside the gates of the bar.
Ninkasi has a massive patio and beer garden where most people hang out. However, there’s also indoor space.
With up to 28 rotating taps, there’s plenty of beer available. Pizza is also a popular choice. I enjoyed a pizza with nduja and provolone and an Italian IPA from Entire Brewing.
Address: Via Acireale, 22, 00182 Roma RM, Italy (map)
WestRock Cult
Centocelle is an outer residential neighborhood in Rome that has recently become a destination for excellent restaurants and bars. Thanks to a Metro extension that opened in 2015, getting to the area is easy and worth the journey if you’re a beer lover. There are several local bars that I enjoy.
WestRock Cult is an excellent beer bar with a strong American influence. The bar’s crowd loves watching the NFL, so it’s a popular place to watch games.
I met several bartenders and regulars with interesting stories about their American football fandom. One had become a Cincinnati Bengals fan because the team plays “Welcome to the Jungle” as an intro, and he’s a huge Guns N’ Roses fan. Another had become a big Buffalo Bills fan way back in the 1990s, the poor guy. They were a fun bunch to hang out with, and WestRock Cult is a great place to watch some football (the pointy kind).
It’s also a spot for music lovers. The bar has a rock theme, which was magnified by Halloween decorations and live music. There’s even a Route 66 mural, in case their love of the USA hasn’t been made clear.
The bar has space for five taps, but they also offer a couple of fridges with an excellent mix of European beers. I enjoyed a beer from Vault City in Edinburgh.
Address: Via delle Fresie, 6, 00172 Roma RM, Italy (map)
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BeerStyle
BeerStyle is another beer bar in Centocelle that’s a nice hangout. It’s just a block away from WestRock Cult.
The outside patio is the place to be, whether you’re human, canine, or feline. There are hanging lights and plenty of space. Inside, the bar is decorated with beer signs and shelves of bottles.
The bar has up to 6 taps plus a small fridge with beer. A pork-focused food menu (their motto is “Eat Pork & Drink Beer”) includes sandwiches, tacos, and nachos.
Address: Via dei Platani, 42b, 00172 Roma RM, Italy (map)
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Mad Hop Brew Pub
Mad Hop Brew Pub is close to the Gardenie Metro station in Centocelle.
It offers 12 taps of beer, spirits, and good rock and indie music. They also have live shows and open mic nights.
Address: Via Tor de’ Schiavi, 231, 00171 Roma RM, Italy (map)
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Proloco Centocelle
Centocelle first popped up on my radar thanks to Stanley Tucci’s excellent travel show, “Searching for Italy.”
In his Rome episode, he ventured to a neighborhood spot that specializes in cheese and meat platters. Of course, I had to go.
Proloco Centocelle is a meat and cheese shop. Cases packed with local Italian goodness line the view as you walk in.
In addition to these cheese and meat plates, the restaurant also has eight beer taps. It’s not the biggest beer selection in Rome, but the food pairing is the best.
Address: Via Domenico Panaroli, 35, 00172 Roma RM, Italy (map)
Illuppolati
Illuppolati is another Rome beer bar that requires a bit of a journey. However, it’s one of my favorite types of bars, one that’s clearly run by someone who is dedicated to their passions and wanted to open a little neighborhood spot.
Most beer bars in Rome have menus that specialize in American or German drinking grub. While others will have some meat and cheese platters, it’s rare to find one that offers a more robust Italian food menu that includes pasta. That’s one reason why I like Illuppolati.
Illuppolati has just a few stools inside, plus a counter. Wood log paneling lines the counter and walls. There are also a few small tables outside. Italian pop/reggae/ska/rap plays from the owner’s laptop.
The bar, which was formerly in Trastevere, offers ten taps of craft beer, mostly Italian, but also a couple of traditional German options.
I enjoyed the pasta amatriciana and also some mortadella. They also serve skewers. A little white dog was very interested in all of it.
After a few beers and some food, I headed out, but not before being offered a parting shot of limoncello or amaro. I opted for the limoncello. It was a lovely end to a nice evening out at the bar.
I had arrived at Illuppolati after walking from Ostiense Metro station. It seemed like a quiet area after having walked from that direction, but just past the bar there was also a jazz club and a restaurant. If you take the Metro and walk, I recommend walking from the Basilica S. Paolo stop instead as it’s a more pleasant journey.
Address: Via Ostiense, 391, 00145 Roma RM, Italy (map)
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Hoppiness
Walk through the old Roman city walls near San Giovanni, and you’ll find a place with good craft beer and desserts.
Hoppiness has eight taps, most of which were Fiej beer, plus a small fridge with some bottles and cans. There is also a full bar.
They also have some food, with their desserts being the highlight. Get some cannoli or the birramisu (tiramisu made with beer) and a beer, and enjoy.
Address: Viale Carlo Felice, 55/57, 00185 Roma RM, Italy (map)
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Artisan
San Lorenzo’s Artisan is a no-frills beer bar with a solid beer selection and food. It opened in 2014.
The outside tables are a popular place to sit to enjoy a selection from 12 taps, plus coolers with bottles and cans.
The food menu highlights include tacos, nachos, and sandwiches.
Address: Via degli Aurunci, 7/9, 00185 Roma RM, Italy (map)
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Aeternum Beer Shop Roma
If you want a cold beer after visiting the Vatican, head to the nearby Aeternum Beer Shop Roma.
The bar & restaurant offers eight taps and a cask, as well as a few fridges. They also have a food menu with Roman pizza, as well as cheese and meat plates.
Address: Via Tunisi, 57, 00192 Roma RM, Italy (map)
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Be.Re. + Trapizzino
For another craft beer option near the Vatican City, head to Be.Re. + Trapizzino.
The restaurant bar has around 18 taps plus two casks, along with a selection of bottles that leans toward sours, including lots of Cantillon. There’s even a selection of barleywines in barrels. The copper taps are an excellent way of displaying the beers.
As far as the food, the menu is by Trappizino, which has locations all over Rome. These pockets of goodness are some of my favorite things to eat in Rome and are the perfect accompaniment with beer.
I enjoyed the double cream trappizino along with a Parrot Invasion IPA from Rebel’s Brewery while listening to some pop punk & emo on the stereo.
Address: Piazza del Risorgimento, 7/A, 00192 Roma RM, Italy (map)
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Beer Time -on tap- Craft Beer Bar
Beer Time is a small craft beer bar in Prati, which is near the Vatican to the north of the Rome city center.
The beer selection consists of six taps, two casks, and a small cooler with some cans and bottles.
It’s a great destination if you’re hungry, thanks to the panini menu. I enjoyed the mortadella with mozzarella, truffle sauce, and arugula, along with a Spancil Hill Irish Stout from Shire Brewing.
The bar also serves filled pizzas, salads, and platters.
Address: Piazza dei Quiriti, 9, 00192 Roma RM, Italy (map)
Malto Misto
Malto Misto is a nice neighborhood beer bar near the Bologna Metro station.
In addition to five taps and one cask, there are a couple of well-stocked fridges. One showcases hoppier beers, while the other is full of maltier stuff.
I especially liked the cool mural painted on the walls.
I also enjoyed that they had a beer inspired by my hometown of San Francisco. The award-winning beer, Larkin Street, was brewed by Birrificio Porta Bruciata.
Address: Via di S. Orsola, 35/37, 00162 Roma RM, Italy (map)
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Pork’n’Roll Pub
Pork’n’Roll Pub combines three of my favorite things: Beer, pork, and rock.
The brewpub near Rome Tiburtina station is an inviting place to hang out. Its rock soundtrack features bands such as Weezer, Radiohead, Audioslave, and Green Day.
The bar has seven taps and two pumps. Many of the beers are from Old Copper, the brewery project operated by Pork’n’Roll owner Valentino Roccia. There’s also a fridge with about a hundred bottles.
The beer is good, and the music is good, but what about the pork?
Friends, my sandwich was one of the best I’ve ever had.
Meet the Joe Ruspante: grilled sausage, smoked buffalo mozzarella, crispy bacon, pecorino romano, and black pepper on durum wheat ciabatta. Delicious.
The bar offers more than sandwiches. It also offers a variety of other meat delivery methods, including platters, snacks, burgers, and more.
Address: Via Carlo Caneva, 15, 00159 Roma RM, Italy (map)
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Best Craft Breweries in Rome
Considering Rome’s size, it’s surprising how few craft breweries there are. The city’s craft beer scene is primarily due to the number of quality beer bars.
Jungle Juice Brewing & Taproom
Jungle Juice Brewing is the biggest craft brewery in Rome. Its beers can be found at a lot of bars around the city.
Their brewery taproom is also a nice place to hang out. However, it’s not the easiest place to get to on foot or by public transportation since it’s located in an industrial area, with access impeded by rail lines and an old Roman aqueduct.
The spacious taproom includes an outdoor patio and some indoor space, which are lively but not overwhelming. Rock and punk were playing on the sound system.
The brewery offers guided tours and shows football matches.
Jungle Juice has a variety of live, unfiltered, and unpasteurized beers on tap (8 total). The beers are also available in flights of four. I opted for the Hausbeer, Baba Jaga, Spine Rip, and Hammersmith Calling.
I also had some snacks from their menu, which includes cheese and charcuterie, burgers, tacos, nachos, and stuffed pizza.
Address: Via del Mandrione, 109, 00181 Roma RM, Italy (map)
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Open Baladin Roma
Baladin is one of the oldest Italian craft breweries. The brewery has several taproom locations scattered around Italy. They even have one in Camden in London. Their Campo dei Fiori brewpub has an astounding 40 taps plus over 100 bottles.
They offer a full food menu, but their flavored potato chips are a house favorite.
Address: Via degli Specchi, 6, 00186 Roma RM, Italy (map)
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Best Bottle Shops in Rome
Several of the Rome beer bars I’ve listed above also sell beer available for takeaway, so there aren’t too many shops focusing primarily on to-go business. Other specialty shops, such as Eataly, offer a selection of craft beer.
Johnny’s Off License
There are a couple of Johnny’s Off License locations in Rome. The one near San Giovanni is the largest, while the one in Campo de’ Fiori is the most convenient for most visitors to the city.
Owner John Nolan has created shops that are heaven for beer lovers (and other drinks such as wine and spirits as well). There are hundreds of beers on offer from some of the best breweries in Italy and across Europe.
While there’s no formal bar, that doesn’t mean you can’t hang out and drink. While not all the bottles and cans are kept cold, there are some fridges with beer ready for drinking in or for quick consumption elsewhere. Johnny also ships across Italy and Europe.
When I visited the Campo de’ Fiori location, I sat on some improvised benches and enjoyed some beer along with some others who had ventured into the shop for a drink. The small shop has walls covered in stickers, signs, and coasters, which are always a sign of a well-loved establishment.
Address: Via Veio, 4, 00183 Roma RM, Italy (map) – San Giovanni
Address: Via dei Balestrari, 9, 00186 Roma RM, Italy (map) – Campo de’ Fiori
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A few Rome craft beer bars and breweries are no longer in operation, including LUPO and My Ale.
Do you love craft beer? Check out more of my recommendations for the best craft beer around the world!
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.
