Venice
The natural-wine wave reshaped Venice's wine bars — these are the ten worth a Friday evening. The wine bars on this list span every neighbourhood worth a trip — Cannaregio, San Polo, Dorsoduro, Castello all show up — and every price tier from a $5 local pour to a $25 hotel-bar tasting. Each bar earns its spot for a different reason. We have visited every one.
DORSODURO · $ · COCKTAIL BARS
Heritage bacaro from 1944. Order: Bellini (the original). Best time: Tuesday and Wednesday before 9pm, when the regulars haven't filled the room yet. Best for cocktail-curious drinkers who want technique without theatre. Saturday after 10pm gets crowded — book ahead or arrive early.
DORSODURO · $ · COCKTAIL BARS
Same family as Schiavi. Order: Bellini (the original). Best time: any weeknight between 7pm and 9pm, when the bar settles into its rhythm and the bartender has time to talk. Best for cocktail-curious drinkers who want technique without theatre. Friday from 8pm fills up; reserve a counter seat or a high table.
SAN MARCO · $$$$ · COCKTAIL BARS
Heritage cocktail bar from 1931. Order: Bellini (the original). Best time: Sunday from 6pm, when it's the room's quietest premium night and the kitchen is unhurried. Best for cocktail-curious drinkers who want technique without theatre. Avoid post-match nights if the local team is playing — the upstairs gets loud.
DORSODURO · $$$ · LIVE MUSIC
Live-jazz cocktail club hidden down a side street. Order: Bellini (the original). Best time: Thursday late or Friday early, when you'll catch the room building toward its weekend tempo. Best for music fans who want a drink that matches the set. First-Friday traffic in the district can mean a 20-minute wait at the door.
CASTELLO · $ · COCKTAIL BARS
Tiny bacaro near the Arsenale. Order: Bellini (the original). Best time: Tuesday and Wednesday before 9pm, when the regulars haven't filled the room yet. Best for cocktail-curious drinkers who want technique without theatre. Saturday after 10pm gets crowded — book ahead or arrive early.
CANNAREGIO · $$ · COCKTAIL BARS
Lagoon-side cocktail bar with sunset views over the Venetian lagoon. Order: Bellini (the original). Best time: any weeknight between 7pm and 9pm, when the bar settles into its rhythm and the bartender has time to talk. Best for cocktail-curious drinkers who want technique without theatre. Friday from 8pm fills up; reserve a counter seat or a high table.
Use this guide either as a single curated route through Venice or as a checklist to revisit over a long weekend. Reservations are flagged where they matter. Otherwise, walk in. Below: the ten wine bars that any serious drinker in Venice would tell you to put on the list.
Heritage bacaro from 1944. Order: Bellini (the original). Best time: Tuesday and Wednesday before 9pm, when the regulars haven't filled the room yet. Best for cocktail-curious drinkers who want technique without theatre. Saturday after 10pm gets crowded — book ahead or arrive early.
Same family as Schiavi. Order: Bellini (the original). Best time: any weeknight between 7pm and 9pm, when the bar settles into its rhythm and the bartender has time to talk. Best for cocktail-curious drinkers who want technique without theatre. Friday from 8pm fills up; reserve a counter seat or a high table.
Looking beyond Venice? See our guide to the best wine bars worldwide, or compare wine bars city by city.