Rome Entertainment

Roman entertainment just isn’t what it used to be. Back in the day, you could swing by the Colosseum to watch a man viciously clawed to death by a bear. Now, Romans seeking diversion are far more likely to go to the opera, a soccer game, or the latest Hollywood flick. Is this progress? Perhaps. But this is no reason for you, bloodthirsty traveler, to content your restless heart with eating gelato next to a monument or people-watching in a piazza. Rome is full of more entertaining entertainment options.

Weekly Roma C’è (www.romace.it; with an English section) and Time Out (www.timeout.com/rome), both available at newsstands, have up-to-date club, movie, and event listings. The city of Rome also has a comprehensive website that lists all goings-on in the city (www.comune.roma.it), including a section specifically for summer events (http://en.estateromana.comune.roma.it/; in English). Of course, the city’s walls are plastered with advertisements for upcoming concerts, plays, operas, parties, and circuses.

Live Music

Rome hosts a variety of performances in fantastic venues, especially in the summer. Local churches often host free choral concerts. Perhaps most interesting, the carabinieri band gives rousing (and free) ...more

Jazz

Unfortunately, most jazz places close during the summer months, either re-opening in September or heading outdoors. Alexanderplatz Jazz Club, one of Rome's most popular of its kind and Italy's oldest, ...more

Classical Music And Opera

Teatro dell'Opera, P. Beniamino Gigli 7 (www.operaroma.it), Once you've caught a glimpse of the 6m chandelier and frescoes by Annibale Brugnoli gracing this four-tier theater, you'll be happy you shelled ...more

Rock And Pop

Live music can be heard throughout the city. www.060608.it is a great resource for information on upcoming shows. Roma Incontra Il Mondo, Villa Ada at V. di Ponte Salario (☎ 06 41 73 47 12; www.villaada ...more

Theater

Roman theater has an illustrious history, from Terence down to the moment that Nathan Lane first donned a toga in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. Current shows are mostly toga-less, thankfully ...more

Cinema

Unfortunately, most theaters in Rome show dubbed movies. For foreign films with Italian subtitles, look for a “v.o.” or “l.o.” in listings ( versione originale or lingua originale ...more

Spectator Sports

Stadio Olimpico, V. del Foro Italico 1 (www.asroma.it, www.sslazio.it), Soccer matches—the favorite game of the Romans since their gladiator days—are held here. The stadium serves as the battleground ...more