Rome is alive at night. If New York is the city that never sleeps, Rome is the party that never ends. (Clubs don’t get going until after midnight.) Discos compete for extravagent themes and décor, and if they don’t always keep up with the latest trends in London or L.A., they still provide a great evening for the young and foot loose. Thursdays through Sundays are club nights when the whole city seems to be out on the town. Monday through Wednesday the streets are much quieter.
Shari Vari Playhouse
Newly re-opened on the site of the former Supper Club, and attracting an entusiastic crowd of Rome’s young and chic set, the space, decorated with an oriental theme, offers high tea, followed by an apperitivi and snacks service, followed by dinner, followed by a very popular after-dinner cocktail and music of the “chillout” variety, jazz, house and disco. In short, Rome’s formerly “so over it” dinner club has been transformed into Rome’s newest hot spot.
Freni e Frizioni
Freni e Frizioni (which literally means shocks and brakes)is perhaps one of the most happening places in all of Trastevere. The mechanic shop-turned hipsters’ bar is especially popular during aperitivo time. The place gets jumping from 7pm onwards and features a mixed crowd of shabby chic bohemians, tourists and American college students. This place does up a mean mojito for about 7-8 euros. During aperitivo hour (7-9pm), they also have a nice spread of finger foods and veggies to munch on. Freni e Frizioni stays lively well into the night as well. So if you don’t make it for happy hour, grabbing an after-dinner drink here is also a good alternative
Salotto 42
Conveniently located across from the suggestive Hadrian’s Temple, is a tiny sleek bar where locals go to see and be seen. The interior of this venue is modern and fashionable featuring plushy couches and chairs. The walls are adorned with contemporary art and design and fashion books are stacked against the walls. At night, Salotto 42 morphs into a buzzing cocktail bar for the hip, 30-something crowd. If there isn’t anything that you fancy on the list, the bar staff are always happy to come up with something signature just for you.
Fluid
When it comes to aperitivo time, this bar is one of the best in Rome. Thanks to its posh décor and hip music, this place gets lively around happy hour time (7-9pm), when tourists and locals pack this place in to grab a drink with friends and chow down on their hearty food buffet. Here one can order a glass of wine or prosecco or even one of their uber delicious cocktails made with exotic fruit. It’s also the perfect place to come for a late night drink and listening to the music playing from their nightly live DJ set.
La Cabala
One of Rome’s flashiest and most exclusive nightclubs, La Cabala is situated in a medieval palazzo on top of the restaurant Hostaria dell’Orso, a 14th century building that overlooks the Tiber River. It’s pretty much Rome’s version of a classy supper club and located in the ever stylish Piazza Navona area it’s no wonder the venue has developed this reputation. The is quite big and it is spread out across a three-level space that includes a piano bar, restaurant, and nightclub. The crowd is very stylish and generally aged 25-30+. Music is generally house, dance and techno and the venue is open only on weekends, Friday to Saturday.
Cicolo Degli Artisti
For some of the best live music around town, you will never be disappointed at Circolo degli Artisti. The centro sociale (underground bar) is situated between San Lorenzo and another hip, bohemian part of town called Pigneto. Plenty of big name indie rock bands (both Italian and international) have played here such as Pete Doherty, Billy Corgan, the Sonics and others. The club is rather big and has various rooms full of activities such as movie screenings, makeshift picnics and art galleries. The outdoor area is large with bar service provided throughout and there is often a couple of food stands and sometimes even a vintage market.
Goa
Up to this day, those who come here feel like they are entering into another world, one with ivory-colored walls, exotic and mysterious Indian objects and sofas adorned with precious fabrics. Goa club was different right from the start. The four founders were adamant about playing avant-garde and innovative music that had little to do with what was being played in other Roman nightclubs, and over the years their musical tastes evolved and blossomed further. A wide variety of music has been played there since it opened, from Acid Jazz to Trip Hop and all the way to contemporary Minimal Tech, by some of the biggest and best representatives of the various branches of electronic music – world famous artists and djs. Today Goa is recognized around the world as a real institution for electronic music thanks to its seventeen years of experience in the field and its dedication to the music it plays. It is currently equipped with an Audio Factory sound system that makes the sound perfect and clear.