Last updated on February 21st, 2025
Whether it’s your first trip to Venice or your tenth, you should always be on the hunt for the best spots in Venice for an aperitivo. Whether you are a student on a budget, a newlywed couple, a family of six, or a pack of best friends on the road, I have a bar for you in Venice.
Venice is one of the only cities in Italy where it’s socially acceptable (rather, it’s encouraged) to drink all day. Aperitivo in Italy isn’t reserved for pre-dinner drinks but rather, a time of day at any moment to enjoy a good glass of wine and a small bite to eat.
It took me years of visiting Venice to finally have enough experience to share with you my top spots for an aperitivo in Venice.
In this article, I will cover not only the best bars for aperitivo in Venice but also, which squares and piazzas are best for aperitivi. I will also include specifics on what each bar is best for, what kind of seating is available and whether or not dinner is served as well, making it easy to pick the best spot for you based on your agenda, location and occasion!
Let’s take a closer look!
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
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Map Of Best Aperitivo in Venice
Best Aperitivo Venice Quick Guide
| Name | Address (Neighborhood) | Best For | Sitting/Standing Room Only | Dinner Served |
| Osteria Al Portego | Calle de la Malvasia, 6014(San Marco) | Students | Mostly standing with two small tables outdoors | Yes |
| Restaurant Terrazza Danieli | Riva degli Schiavoni, 4196 (San Marco) | Best view/Rooftop experience | Sitting | Yes |
| Bar Longhi | Campiello Traghetto, 246() | Luxury Experience | Sitting | Yes |
| Ca’ Segredo Hotel | Campo Santa Sofia, 4198/99 (Cannaregio) | Romantic Evening | Sitting | Yes |
| Osteria Bancogiro | Campo San Giacometto, (Ponte di Rialto) | Staying for dinner | Sitting/Standing | Yes |
| Cantina Do Spade | San Polo, 859, 30125 (San Polo) | Authentic experience with locals | Three tables for sitting indoors and outdoor benches | Yes |
| Cantina del Vino già Schiavi | Fondamenta Nani, 992, 30123 (Dorsoduro) | Aperitivo outside on the canal | Standing | No |
| Piazza San Marco | Piazza San Marco | Grand experience | Sitting | Yes, at any of the many bars |
| Canal Fondamenta de la Ormesini/Misericordia | Fondamenta de la Misericordia (Cannaregio) | Off the beaten path | Sitting | Yes, there are many restaurants along this canal |
| Campo S. Giacomo da l’Orio | Campo S. Giacomo (Santa Croce) | Families with children – Check out Majer wine bar or El Fradeo Quebrado for cicchetti | Sitting and Standing (depending on what you choose or you can stand in the square with drinks) | Yes but not in square. Restaurants closeby such as OKE San Giacomo and La Zucca |
| Campo Santa Margherita | Campo Santa Margherita (Dorsoduro) | Getting an aperitivo in Venice with kids. Check out Panini E Vini Da Babbo | Sitting | Yes (Check out Osteria Alla Bifora) |
| Harry’s Bar | Calle Vallaresso, 1323 (San Marco) | Legendary Bar | Sitting at bar | Yes |
Best Bars For Aperitivo Venice
Osteria Al Portego
Calle de la Malvasia, 6014, 30122 Venezia VE, Italy
Osteria Al Portego is where I most recently sat down for an aperitivo in Venice before heading to dinner at L’Osteria di Santa Marina. The owner of the apartment I rented recommended it to me as a reliable, hip but authentic bacaro with great cicchetti.
It doesn’t have indoor seating but rather, you can stand at one of the small tables outside lining the side door or at the counters inside. They have all sorts of classic drinks such as Spritz and local wines at excellent prices.
Osteria Al portego also offers good take-out and is a casual eatery in Venice, catering primarily to locals and students.
Good To Know: Osteria Al Portego is also one of my top picks for after dinner drinks in Venice for students.
Looking for a Non-Alcoholic Spritz Alternative? Try a Crodino Spritz!
Tip: A bottle of Aperol or Campari makes a great food souvenir to bring home from the Veneto!
Restaurant Terrazza Danieli
Riva degli Schiavoni, 4196, 30122 Venezia VE, Italy
Restaurant Terrazza Danieli is one of Venice’s most famous rooftop bars not far from St. Mark’s square with an extensive wine list. It’s chic and romantic with a hefty price tag but if you are looking for a romantic evening or splurge, this is where you should pre book a table.
I suggest coming during sunset for your aperitivo in Venice. Choose from classic cocktails (and mocktails) or more elaborate, innovative drinks.
Good To Know: The Terrazza doubles as a high-end restaurant serving classic Venetian cuisine for those of you who want to spend a whole evening on the rooftop.
Love Rooftop Bars? Heading to Florence Next? Check out our picks for the best rooftop bars in Florence!
Bar Longhi
Campiello Traghetto, 2467, 30124 Venezia VE
Bar Longhi is currently one of Venice’s most trendy locations for aperitivo located in the Gritti Palace with a fantastic view overlooking the Grand Canal. You are seated literally at eye level with the water on the canal so sit back and relax as you enjoy the people watching, or rather, the boat watching. Just like Terrazza Danieli, Bar Longhi is definitely one of the more expensive options for an aperitivo in Venice.
Bar Longhi sets itself apart by its bright interior, decorated with beautiful Murano glass chandeliers contrasted by century old artwork and other antiques.
Try It: The Gritti Spritz is Longhi’s signature cocktail, a variation of the classic spritz.
Fit In: Learn How to Toast in Italian!
Ca’ Sagredo Hotel
Campo Santa Sofia, 4198/99, 30121 Venezia VE, Italy
Terrazza Panoramica, located within the 14th century palazzo of Ca’ Sagredo Hotel, is one of my top picks for a romantic aperitivo in Venice when it’s warm outside. I would consider this one of the more elegant and sophisticated spots in Venice overlooking the water with a large selection of traditional Venetian drinks to choose from.
Located just on the edge of the Cannaregio neighborhood, the Terrazza Panoramica is still close to the central downtown area of Venice on the Grand Canal.
Good To Know: You can also book your accommodation and dinner here as well, one of the best options for newly weds or romantic getaways in Venice.
Osteria Bancogiro
Campo San Giacometto, Ponte di Rialto
Osteria Bancogiro is a traditional Venetian bacaro and restaurant close to the Rialto Market. It’s my absolute favorite place in Venice for several things including aperitivo, dinner, cicchetti, and post-dinner drinks in Piazza Erbaria on the Grand Canal (on the backside of the restaurant).
Osteria Bancogiro is informal and casual yet refined at the same time. The cicchetti are some of the absolute best I have ever had in Venice, including their fresh raw cicchetti selection, particularly good for gluten-free travelers.
Come to Osteria Bancogiro anytime of the day for an aperitivo, not necessarily before dinner but also mid-morning, before lunch or in the late afternoon.
Cantina Do Spade
San Polo, 859, 30125 Venezia VE, Italy
Cantina Do Spade is still to this day one of the few places in Venice that serve cicchetti and ombra as they originally were served, fast and in a small amount. Pick up one of their tasty fried meatballs and literally a sip of wine in a shot glass to tie you over before your dinner reservation.
It’s small so be prepared to stand. They do have three small tables inside but they are always taken. You can stand at the counter (be quick and make room for others though!) or stand more leisurely outside the entrance.
Good To Know: Cantina Do Spade also has a take out menu, if you are feeling lazy after your wine and want to opt for an easy night in.
Cantina del Vino già Schiavi
Fondamenta Nani, 992, 30123 Venezia VE, Italy
Cantina del Vino già Schiavi is one of the most famous spots of cicchetti in Venice with an excellent selection of wines to taste and for purchase. They have one of the best selections of crostini cicchetti, of which they never ever run out of.
Come here to eat your cicchetti and have your aperitivo in Venice with your legs dangling over the canal or on one of the footbridges. Because the cantina is so popular, most people get their aperitivo in a plastic cup and have it outside. Actually, if you come at the ‘right’ time, when it’s the most crowded, this is your only option.
This, however, is my favorite way to eat in Venice, at the most popular times when you can feel the Venetian culture beating strongly. So much of authentic Venetian traditions have been lost overtime as the city has become evermore touristy but the Cantina del Vino gia Schiavi still embodies the Venetian cicchetti and bacaro culture to this day.
Tip: If it’s too busy, just keep walking down towards Zattere where you will come to Osteria Al Squero serving up very good cicchetti as well across from the oldeset gondola ship yard in the city.
Harry’s Bar
Calle Vallaresso, 1323, 30124 Venezia VE
Harry’s Bar is a Venetian institution, a landmark and pioneer in creating some of Venice’s most famous and delicious food and drink such as carpaccio and the bellini.
The bar is sophisticated and chic, catering mostly to oldtimers and high class tourism. I actually don’t recommend eating here because I don’t think the food is worth the money. This being said, most people come here for the whole experience, the name, or because they are hoping to see a celebrity.
Instead, I suggest travelers come for an aperitivo in Venice and order the bellini, their signature drink. If you do decide to eat, you will have to pre book your table as it is still a very popular restaurant in Venice.
Other Favorite Spots For Aperitivo In Venice
Because there are so many amazing places to drink and eat in Venice, it’s hard to list them all. Above I have listed my top places for aperitivo in Venice but here, I am sharing my best areas and squares in Venice to have the best aperitivo in Venice:
- Piazza San Marco: Florian or Quadri
- Canal Fondamenta de la Ormesini/Misericordia: Al Timon
- Campo S. Giacomo: Majer wine bar “La Cantinetta”
- Campo Santa Margherita: Vini e Panini da Babbo
- The Gritti Palace – If you can get a seat on the water, it’s a great view!
Aperitivo With Kids: These locations are also my top picks for having an aperitivo with kids because they are mostly away from the waterfronts and canals with space to run freely. Read more about where to eat and drink with kids in Kid-Friendly Restaurants in Venice and Best Squares to Eat and Drink with Kids in Venice.
Venice bound? Get prepared with all of my Venice recommendations:
Must-Try Foods And Drinks In Venice
What Are Cicchetti? + Where To Eat Them
What Is A Bacaro? + My Bacaro Tour Itinerary
My Favorite Cicchetti In Venice
Best Restaurants in Venice + Nearest Cicchetti Stops
Best Gelato In Venice
Best Dairy-Free Gelato in Venice
7 Food Markets In Venice Worth Your Time
Where To Get Coffee In Venice
Where To Eat Breakfast In Venice
10 Amazing Bakeries In Venice
Best Spots In Venice For Aperitivo
Dinner On The Water In Venice – My Top Restaurants
Best Pizza In Venice
My Favorite After-Dinner Drink Spots In Venice
Shopping at the Rialto Market in Venice – Tips + Printable
Street Foods To Try In Venice
Best Places To Get Takeout In Venice
Where To Eat Before Catching Your Train in Venice
My Favorite Food Chains In Venice
Eating Gluten-Free In Venice – Restaurants, Cicchetti & Gelato
Gluten-Free Cicchetti In Venice
Eating Vegetarian In Venice
Eating Vegan In Venice
Eating in Venice While Pregnant
Kid-Friendly Restaurants In Venice
Best Squares To Eat And Drink With Kids In Venice
1-Day Venice Itinerary for Foodies
2-Day Venice Itinerary For Foodies
Best Food Souvenirs From Venice + Where I Buy Them
Venice Carnival Foods to Try
