Our Take on The Jerry Thomas Project

Named for the 19th-century American bartender whose cocktail manual is the founding text of the craft, The Jerry Thomas Project opened in Rome in 2010 and immediately changed the conversation about what Italian bars could aspire to be. The bar sits in a narrow street in the Centro Storico, close enough to the Pantheon that you will pass tourists on your way there, yet the bar itself operates in a parallel Rome entirely — one where the password you obtain from their website opens a heavy door onto a Prohibition-era universe of leather, brass, and very considered spirits.

The concept has been imitated across the world since, but few places have maintained the original's quality over time as consistently as the Jerry Thomas Project has. The menu changes seasonally and is constructed with the seriousness of a kitchen brigade planning their tasting menu. Each drink has a narrative and a purpose. The ingredients are sourced with obsessive specificity — house-made bitters, barrel-aged spirits, fruit-based syrups produced weekly from Roman market produce. The team genuinely believes in what they are making, and that conviction translates directly into the glass.

The room holds around 30 guests, which means the bar reaches capacity quickly on weekends. Reservations can be made through the bar's website and are essentially required on Fridays and Saturdays. The password for walk-in entry is published weekly on their social channels and changes every Monday. Going through the password process is part of the ritual and not as precious as it sounds — it takes approximately 90 seconds to find the current word, and the payoff is a bar that every serious drinker should experience at least once.

For anyone building a Rome bar night, the Jerry Thomas Project anchors the cocktail portion of any itinerary. The nearby Il Sorpasso in Prati handles aperitivo and wine. Those making a wider European speakeasy tour should also note the resonances with Door 74 in Amsterdam and Paradiso in Barcelona. Our guide to the world's best speakeasy bars places the Jerry Thomas Project in the top tier of the category globally.

What to Order

The Jerry Thomas Flip

A seasonal flip using a barrel-aged spirit, fresh egg, and house-made syrup. The froth is dense, the spirit present but not aggressive. A signature of the bar since opening.

Roman Punch

A punch bowl take on a 19th-century recipe adapted for contemporary tastes. Made for sharing, served with a block of ice, and assembled tableside. Ask for it for two or more.

House Negroni Variation

Each season the team produces a house Negroni that shifts one component. The current version uses a house-clarified Campari that removes bitterness while preserving structure.

Bartender's Daiquiri

The standard Daiquiri is made with a Cuban rum selection that changes quarterly. Precisely balanced citrus, no added sweetener beyond the syrup — clean and illuminating.

Best Time to Visit

Tuesday through Thursday from 9pm. The bar operates at a more exploratory pace on weeknights, and the team is more available for conversation. Weekend bookings should be made 48 to 72 hours ahead. The password system means spontaneous visits are possible on weekdays; impossible on peak weekend nights without a reservation.

Who It Is For

Cocktail travellers who include bar stops as primary destinations rather than supplements to dinner. Those who appreciate the speakeasy concept as a genuine service philosophy rather than a marketing device. Visitors to Rome who want to understand that the city has a serious cocktail culture that matches the gravity of its food scene. Anyone willing to commit 10 minutes to finding the password in exchange for one of the best bars in Europe.