Page 356 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Rome

354  TR A VELERS ’ NEEDS

Nightlife socializing over great wines
and heartwarming food.
Rome’s nightlife has never been as diverse or vibrant as it The Pigneto neighborhood is
is today. The city has witnessed a sharp rise in the number known for its bars and vibrant
of bar and club openings that cater to an ever more nightlife, with Necci standing
demanding clientele. Where once the choice was limited to out for its great drinks, rich
aperitivos, and intellectual
the Irish theme bars near Termini, the few well-established crowd. Fluid, on Via del Governo
but crowded bars in the historic center, and the hugely Vecchio, is much livelier, and
popular clubs in Testaccio, the capital now offers a wide range has made its mark in the
of options to satisfy all tastes and budgets. Depending on capital as the perfect venue
your mood, head first for a stylish pre-clubbing bar and then to get you in the mood for
on to one of the exclusive clubs, or simply relax with friends late-night clubbing. A few
doors down but really a world
and a bottle of good wine in an earthy wine bar in one of the away, the comfortable and
city’s breathtaking piazzas. For a memorable first stop, enjoy candlelit Mimì e Cocò is a
spectacular views with an apéritif from a rooftop terrace bar. great place to relax (al fresco
On the downside, despite the greater number of bars or inside) and linger over
and clubs, prices have soared in Rome since the euro was subtle wines, served with a
introduced – today you can be charged up to €10 for a smile. Just off the top end
of the same street, moving
cocktail. For cheaper alternative nights out, away from away from Corso Vittorio
the tourist traps, visit a bar in San Lorenzo. Emanuele II, is Giulio Passami
l’Olio, a warm, welcoming,
and animated enoteca,
What’s Happening
way onto the guest list. Instead tucked away from the usual
As in any major city, Rome’s of an entrance fee, some of the passaggiate (promenade)
nightlife is constantly evolving. smaller clubs require a tessera, routes. Closer to Piazza di
Roman club-goers are an a monthly or yearly member- Spagna, the striking interior
extremely varied group, and ship card, which you can buy and extensive choice of wines
most clubs arrange different and fill out on the spot. If you by the glass make the Antica
nights to appeal to the diverse are paying just to get through Enoteca di Via della Croce
range of tastes – so it is the door that night, hold on a favorite spot for wine
essential to keep up to date on to your entrance ticket as it connoisseurs. Although it
what’s happening by checking usually entitles you to a free is definitely not a budget
out the listings magazines (see first drink (la consumazione); option, the impressive bar
p346) that hit the newsstands your second could be very buffet is well worth sampling.
every Thursday. expensive, and cost In Trastevere, too, the
Flyers for many nightclubs as much as €15. romantic streets are full of tiny
are handed out in some of As a general rule, remember bars aimed at diverse crowds.
the busier piazzas in and that all-male groups are rarely Find a table if you can outside
around the historic center, welcome, and in some Ombre Rosse in the wonderful
such as Campo de’ Fiori and exclusive clubs neither are Piazza Sant’Egidio and watch
Piazza del Fico. They are also unaccompa nied men. Also, to the world go by. If Ombre
distributed inside the many enter any of the more select Rosse is too crowded, Caffè
pre-clubbing bars dotted venues, you will need both an della Scala, just a few minutes’
around Testaccio, such as introduction from one of the walk away, is a good alter native.
33 Testaccio Lounge Bar. regulars, and clothes that aim Other bars in the area include
to impress. the hip Freni e Frizioni and
Friends Art Café, which is
Practicalities a perfect spot to enjoy a
Bars
Preferred clubbing nights are refreshing, though expensive,
Friday and Saturday, when the Riding the crest of the apéritif with complimentary
cars and scooters of revelers popularity wave is Bar del Fico, but elaborate snacks – a
clog the streets of central a stone’s throw from Piazza growing trend in the Eternal
Rome. Lines at the most Navona, while the number of City. The simple, but vintage,
popular venues can be very bars is ever-growing in Campo Bar San Callisto, located just
long at peak entrance time de’ Fiori. One of the best of the off Piazza Santa Maria, draws
(around midnight), so it is bunch is Il Nolano (see p320), strictly nonconventional
advisable to get there an hour while just around the corner, patrons, while across the
or so earlier. However, if you are Angolo Divino (see p320) is less river, Rec 23 is perfectly
unable do so, and do not feel well-known, and consequently positioned for drinks before
like waiting in line, try calling in not as bustling. It nonetheless going clubbing in Testaccio.
advance and charming your remains a perfect spot for Elsewhere in the city, the

US_354-357_EW_Rome_US.indd 354 15/03/17 4:22 pm
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Practical template “UK” LAYER
(Source v1.1)
Date 13th August 2012
Size 125mm x 217mm