Venice is absurd. Who honestly thought to build marble palaces in the middle of a lagoon was a great idea? Whoever it was, I’m glad they did because the Grand Canal at sunset is one of the most romantic sights in the world. With floating Venitian buildings lining the gondola filled waterway, what more can you ask for?
How about a drink?
Amidst the Palazzo Ducale, the Basilica di San Marco, the Basilica di Santa Maria, and the backstreets that connect them are some of the most unique and fun bars in Italy. If you have a lazy afternoon or just want to let your hair down one night, here is your guide for where to get drunk in Venice Italy.
Bacaro Jazz aka ‘The Bra Bar’
What do you get when you combine a sports bar and jazz music? Bacaro Jazz Bar is the epitome of the best of both worlds.
With multiple TV’s on to watch the latest soccer match, and bras hanging from the ceiling, Bacaro Jazz Bar was the first bar we went to during our Venice bar crawl. Why? They have a fantastic Happy hour from 4 till 6: buy one get one free on selected cocktails and a beer.
Smack dab between Rialto Bridge and Marco Polo’s home, Bacaro Jazz Bar is the perfect place to relax after a hot (or in our case, rainy) day of sightseeing. If you are feeling extra adventurous, add your brazier to their ever-growing collection!!
Address: S. Marco, 5546, 30124 Venezia VE, Italy
Hours: 12PM – 3AM, Everyday
Harry’s Bar
The most famous bar in Venice is Harry’s Bar. Famous for both its owner, patrons, and alcoholic concoctions, Harry’s bar is a must stop!
Despite its name, Harry’s Bar opened in 1931 by Giuseppe Cipriani, the inventor of The Bellini (one of Italy’s most famous cocktails). If you have ever been to Venice, you most likely enjoyed a Bellini. It is made with Prosecco and pureed white peaches (succo di pesca). So if you want an authentic Venetian drinking experience, order the Bellini at Harry’s Bar. However, they aren’t cheap so come prepared to drop a pretty penny.
If you are more on the adventurous side, try the Montgomery Martini, which is 15 parts gin to 1 part dry vermouth (aka STRONG AF). The Montgomery is named after British Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery, who had a 15 to 1 ratio of his own troops against enemy troops on the battlefield. Fun fact, Ernest Hemingway is said to be the first person to order a Montgomery at Harry’s Bar.
Harry’s Bar has long been frequented by famous people. It has been the favored bar in Venice for celebrities like Ernest Hemingway, Charlie Chaplin, Alfred Hitchcock, Orson Welles, and George Clooney.
Located right next to the Grand Canal and a short walk from Palazzo Ducale, Harry’s Bar is THE bar you must check out when you go to Venice.
Address: San Marco, 1322, 30124 Venezia VE, Italy
Hours: 10:30AM – 11:00PM, Everyday
Venice Jazz Club
The Venice Jazz Club: The reason we started drinking in the first place.
By reservation only, this hole in the wall jazz club with live musicians is amazing. An intimate atmosphere with well-priced drink specials and amazing performers, The Venice Jazz Club is a fantastic spot to spend an evening. Plus, it’s the only jazz club in Venice. So if you’re looking for a one of a kind experience, be sure to check it out.
We split two bottles of prosecco with another table while watching a three-man jazz band. In my mind, it is everything that makes a Venice night memorable: smiling faces, beautiful music, booze, and a romantic atmosphere.
Address: Dorsoduro, 3102, 30123 Venezia VE, Italy
Hours: 7:00PM – 11:00PM, Closed Thursday and Sunday
Margaret DuChamp
This was the last stop on our bar crawl . . . for that reason, I don’t have a picture of it. But I can tell you, this lively, student-filled bar is a blast!
Located on the south-east side of the Campo Santa Margherita square, Margaret DuChamp boasts cheap drinks, piazza seating, and multiple TV’s. It is also a hot hangout for both local and study abroad students, so expect a fun atmosphere.
To be honest, this bar is a bit of a blur. However, I do remember their extensive drink list and having a lot of fun. If anything, my lack of specifics on this bar should show you how great all these bars are!
Address: Campo Santa Margherita, 3019, 30125 Venezia VE, Italy
Hours: 9:00AM – 2:00AM, Monday – Saturday, 9:00AM – 12:00AM, Sunday
We only had one night to spend amongst the bars of Venice, so this is by no means the definitive guide. However, I will promise that all four of these will exceed expectations and make your Venice trip fun!
If you’re looking for some other bars, here’s a few I found with great reviews! Hopefully next time around I’ll be able to grab a drink at each of them.
Do you know of any more bars in Venice worth a visit? Let me know in the comments below. I’d love to hear your suggestion!
Cheers!
Angie xoxo
haha This is the great! Honesty on point!! Exactly what travel blogging is about!
The bars look so fun and vibrant in Venice! I could for sure go for a tasting or two haha. Beer + pizza + Venice would make me really happy!
Also good for you wearing a white dress on a pub crawl! 😛
Thanks for sharing!
Lauren
I totally did it for the photos but it ended up working out okay! No spills so I call that a win ???
It’s always such a challenge to know the best spots for going out ahead of time when traveling! I’ve been planning out my first trip to Venice for a while now, and this whole page will definitely be going on my bucket list ?
You will absolutely fall in LOVE with Venice! Everything about it is so wonderful and the fun nightlife just adds to it. 🙂
I can’t wait to visit some of these bars when I visit Venice someday! ?
One of my favourite parts about travelling is discover bars and restaurants & meeting new people. Really cool article! When I visit Venice I will go to these places!
This is so great!!! I had no idea! Loved Venice so much though. We need to go drinking together!
We sure do!!! I love exploring new places with new friends! Let’s make it happen!
I was in Venice on Contiki a few months ago and I’ve been planning to go back with some girl friends during uni break next year. Thanks to your post, we now have a better idea of where to go each night! ? Thank you for your funny and honest reviews!! I can’t wait to go to Harry’s Bar, I love visiting places that old authors have visited, and the Bar with the Bras…we’ll go there first, least we want to add ours to the decorations ?? Keep being amazing!! ???
How fun!! I love girls trips like that! 🙂 I swear you will have such a blast at these bars. Very lively and fun for sure! the Bra bar was totally my favorite haha wish I had a bra to leave, but next time!
Lately I’ve been reading your blog posts for Arizona trying to plan my own trip. But NOW I definitely have to make a trip out to Venice hahaha at least now I’ll know where to go for drinks ✌? ??
I’m so excited to hear that you’ll be visiting Arizona! You will love it! 🙂
Bar Hopping is the best!! Can’t wait to bring my boyfriend there haha ??? thank you Angie!!
It totally is so much fun! And I swear it’s just amazing in Venice! It’s romantic too, strolling along the canals <3
This is a great list! I wish we would have checked out more bars (especially the jazz club) while we were there. Next time for sure. ☺️
I hope you do get to check out the Jazz Club! It was such an awesome place and romantic 🙂
That is great ?? I can’t wait. ?
Oh these bars look amazing!! I’ve been to Venice few years ago but I didn’t check them. Next time I go, I will surely check them out.
Great blog post btw, it’s really interesting and useful!!
Thanks so much Chiara! People don’t usually think of Venice as a place to drink but it’s the perfect place to do so!
I love this! Honestly finding cool bars & drinking spots is one of my favorite parts of traveling. ?
I wish I had visited some of these bars when I was in Venice – they look so fun! (Maybe next time!) I did really enjoy sampling the cicchetti at different bars though – they were so yummy!
Oh, that does sound delicious and fun! 🙂 And next time you visit Venice, you can just check out these other bars. They really are so fun and unique in their own way!