Aperitivo in Rome - My Favorite Bars for a Pre-Dinner Drink in Rome

There’s nothing better than sitting down to a well-deserved drink after a day of touring a large city like Rome.

Whether you’re in the mood for a classic cafe, historic cocktail bar, craft beer, Italian wines or non-alcoholic drinks – Rome has something for you.

Rome is famous for its vibrant aperitivo culture—an Italian ritual of socializing, drinking and eating small bites before dinner. But, it can be overwhelming to choose in such a big city. I’m here to help!

I’ve been based in Italy since 2012, spending time scoping out the best of Italy.

These are my favorite spots to sit down for an aperitivo in Rome, based on first hand experience.

Tip: Check out my map and quick guide if you’re on the go. However, know that most of these places are popular with locals, so it’s wise to read up beforehand and pre-book your table.

Jump to Section

Map of Where to get Aperitivo in Rome

Quick Guide to the Best Aperitivo in Rome

Name	Address (Neighborhood)	Best For	Outdoor Seating
Jerry Thomas Bar Room	Via del Moro, 10 (Trastevere)	Exclusive aperitivo experience in Rome	No
Bar San Calisto	Piazza di S. Calisto (Trastevere)	A casual, authentic aperitivo with locals / Budget	Yes
Camponeschi	Piazza Farnese (Historic District close to Campo de’ Fiori)	Aperitivo in Rome with excellent people watching	Yes
Freni e Frizioni	Via del Politeama, 4 (Trastevere)	Apericena in Rome (budget drinks & dinner)	Yes
Open Baladin	Via degli Specchi, 6 (Historic District)	Craft beer	No
Sorpasso	Via Properzio, 31/33, (Prati)	Charcuterie and cheese boards with your aperitivo in Rome	Yes
Culto	Vicolo Del Quartiere, 7A (Trastevere)	Innovative cocktails & non-alcoholic drinks	Yes
Terrazza les Étoiles Roma	Via dei Bastioni, 1 (Historic Center)	Aperitivo in Rome with a panoramic view	Yes
Latteria	Vicolo della Scala, 1 (Trastevere)	Wine Lovers	Yes
Ai Tre Scallini	Via Panisperna, 251 (Monti near the Colosseum)	People who want to dine in the same location	No

Aperitivo Prep:
How To Toast in Italian
The Legal Drinking Age In Italy
How To Order Food In Italian

Aperitivo in Rome – My Top Spots

Jerry Thomas Bar Room

Via del Moro, 10 (Trastevere)

Best For: Exclusive aperitivo experience in Rome

Located in a Renaissance building, the Jerry Thomas Bar Room is a trendy bar with a capacity of only 35 guests. Gaining entry requires advanced booking and a membership fee (5€ at the time of writing), but the experience is all the hype for travelers looking for a trendy drink experience in Rome.

For me, when I come to Rome I am personally not looking for this BUT for those of you who are looking for one of the “coolest” bars in Rome, this is it (my style is more Bar San Calisto – see below).

Bar San Calisto

Wooden table full of bottles and cups of beer in Rome's Trastevere neighborhood. Behind, people sit at another table.

Piazza di S. Calisto (Trastevere)

Best For: A casual, authentic aperitivo with locals / Budget friendly

Bar San Calisto offers everything from a hearty Italian breakfast to a refreshing granita or a glass of wine during aperitivo hour. With its laid-back ambiance, cheap prices (I mean cheap!) and no-table service, it’s the perfect spot to relax, get a recommendation from locals and practice your Italian.

No frills, just chill. For an authentic aperitif scene in Rome, this is where you want to be.

Camponeschi

Piazza Farnese (Historic District close to Campo de’ Fiori)
Best For: Aperitivo in Rome with excellent people watching

Located in the picturesque Piazza Farnese, Camponeschi is ideal for those who enjoy watching the world go by while sipping on a glass of wine and snacking on aperitivo goodies. The outdoor seating area, set against the backdrop of historic architecture, makes it a popular choice for a sophisticated pre-dinner drink. Reservations are recommended during peak hours, starting after 6:00 pm.

Good To Know: Camponeschi is also a good restaurant, should you decide you want to stay and eat (assuming they aren’t already fully booked!).

Freni e Frizioni

Via del Politeama, 4 (Trastevere)

Best For: Apericena in Rome (budget drinks & dinner)

Housed in a converted mechanic’s garage near Ponte Sisto, Freni e Frizioni is known for its generous aperitivo buffet (known as an apericena) and creative cocktails.

This is where I like to come should I want to indulge in an apericena, that is, when you pay a single price for a drink (usually a little higher than a normal drink) but are granted access to a full buffet of food including pasta, rices, fried goods, mixed grilled vegetables and other snacks. It’s enough to count as dinner if you are on a budget!

Sorpasso

Table in Rome with paper placemat, glass of red wine, bottle of water, paper bread bag. Building in back is entrance to bar and restaurant. — *Red wine I ordered for aperitivo at Sorpasso*

Via Properzio, 31/33, (Prati)

Best For: Charcuterie and cheese boards with your aperitivo in Rome

Tucked away on a quiet side street not far from Vatican City, Sorpasso’s shabby-chic ambiance shouldn’t keep you at bay. Filled with locals, Sorpasso is one of my favorite spots for aperitivo in Rome when I am craving cheese and charcuterie boards (called taglieri). They have ample outdoor seating with heating lambs with a large indoor dining areas as well as space at the bar.

Good To Know: You can also eat a full meal at Sorpasso, which are also very good.

Open Baladin

frontal view of the entrance to baladin open bar in Rome with two wooden doors open and the two glass doors closed.

Via degli Specchi, 6

Best For: Craft beer

Open Baladin offers a carefully curated selection of Italian and imported craft beers, making it my top pick for getting an aperitivo in Rome for beer lovers. This bustling spot is a favorite for lunch and packed in the evenings, so plan to arrive early if you want to avoid waiting in line.

Culto

Vicolo Del Quartiere, 7A (Trastevere)

Best For: Innovative cocktails & non-alcoholic drinks

Culto is my top pick for enjoying an aperitivo in Rome if you are looking for new and innovative cocktails, fusion style. They also serve small Spanish style tapas with your drinks as well as offering a full fusion menu, which is honestly quite refreshing if you have been eating too much pizza and pasta so far in Rome.

Terrazza Les Étoiles Roma

Via dei Bastioni, 1 (Historic Center)

Best For: Aperitivo in Rome with a panoramic view

For those looking to splurge on your aperitivo in Rome, Terrazza Les Étoiles Roma offers stunning city views from its rooftop terrace. This is always where I suggest friends and family go should they be looking for an extra special way to start their evening. Enjoy a glass of wine or cocktails with sweeping views of Rome’s skyline

Latteria

Entrance to Lotteria in Rome. Twinkle lights decorate vines around the entrance. Tables and chairs on cobblestone street on either side of the entrance.

Vicolo della Scala, 1 (Trastevere)

Best For: Wine lovers

Tucked away on a quiet street in Trastevere, La Latteria is one of my favorite little wine bars in Trastevere mostly filled with locals. This cozy natural wine bar serves a small selection of carefully sourced wines alongside delicious small plates like crostini, carpaccio, and cheese boards with a particular passion for Sardinian products. This is another of my favorite spots to send people who are looking to get off the beaten track in Rome. Call to pre-book your table.

Ai Tre Scalini

Via Panisperna, 251 (Monti near the Colosseum)

Best For: People who want to dine in the same location

Ai Tre Scalini is perfect for tired travelers who prefer to enjoy their aperitivo and meal in a single location. Known for its good wine list and excellent food, it offers a full dining experience as well as the chance to enjoy an aperitivo before sitting down to a full-course meal, all in one spot. Booking highly recommended!

Salute! Discover some of my favorite spots:
Aperitivo in Florence – Florence (on a budget) – Florence (apericena)– Venice – Rome
After-dinner drinks in Venice – Rome
Wine bars in Florence – Rome – Venice (bacari) – Montepulciano
Rooftop bars in Florence