Rome Nightlife

Don't spend all your euros and energy at the museums—Rome's nightlife is varied and vast, giving you a whole other itinerary to attack after the guards go home and the cats come out to prowl the ruins. Generally, you'll be able to find whatever nightlife you're into, though each neighborhood has its own flavor and characteristic selection. The only areas where your nights might end a bit early are, unsurprisingly, Vatican City and the region near Villa Borghese.

Enoteche (wine bars, often with aperitivi) are scattered throughout the city but are especially prevalent in the Ancient City and Centro Storico. They generally cater to an older crowd seeking high-quality drinks and low-key conversation.

Irish pubs and American-style bars populate Trastevere, busy corsi (Vittorio Emanuele, V. del Corso, V. Nazionale, etc.), and the area around Termini. They often have weekly specials (karaoke and quiz nights) and air sporting events. Note that “bar” in Italy generally refers to a cafe where you can buy alcoholic beverages but that is mostly a daytime spot for food. Cocktail bars and lounges are called “American bars.” More upscale lounges are common in the area around Piazza di Spagna, where they're about all you'll find.

The ragers in your party should head to Testaccio, known for some of the best discos in the city, most of which are conveniently clustered around the base of Monte Testaccio. If you're up for the trek, take a night bus to Ostia, Rome's closest beach, and enjoy plenty of opportunities for dancing and lounging on the sand as the morning sun rises. Go with a group, though, as the long stretches between discos tend to be isolated at odd hours.

Speaking of beaches, many clubs migrate to the sandy shore starting in late May and continuing through August. Check out Gilda on the Beach (Lungomare di Ponente 11 in Fregene☎06 66 56 06 49).

While indoor venues such as bars, clubs, and discos can provide a fun setting for your evening pursuits, they expectedly rake up a large bill: cover fees and pricey cocktails may have you broke after a few nights. As an alternative, head to Campo dei Fiori, Piazza Santa Maria in Trastevere, Piazza Colonna (outside the Pantheon), or the Spanish Steps for an inevitably large crowd (even on a “tame” Tuesday), impromptu live performances, and an evening before some of Rome's greatest monuments without the constant flash of photos. (It's okay to snap your camera during the day, but you'd just be the lame tourist at night.) Alcohol by the bottle is surprisingly cheap at the supermarket and drinking outside is as common as smoking, for better or worse. Crack open a Peroni or a bottle of wine and make your own nightlife on the piazza. A note to the overzealous, underage American tourist, however: getting wasted is not looked upon favorably by the Italian populace. Drinking is as much a part of the culture as eating, so there's little sense in overdoing it on a single night. Hopefully, you'll grow out of the beer pong, pub crawl, and open-bar phase after one night of trying each.

Ancient City

Nightlife in the Ancient City is confined mostly to Irish pubs, upscale wine bars, and small cafes open until the late hours. While there's nothing like walking down a cobblestone street after a few glasses ...more

Centro Storico

The Centro Storico might be old, but it packs in a young crowd at night. One of the best places to find bars and clubs, both in terms of location and quality, this area remains fairly safe after sunset ...more

Piazza Di Spagna

There's a reason the Spanish Steps are so popular at night, and it's not their beauty (though that's a definite perk). Young travelers seeking nightlife in this neighborhood would rather lounge on the ...more

Trastevere

Trastevere is home to some of the best nightlife in the city—student and otherwise. Whether you want a small bar, a classy lounge, or somewhere where you can move around a bit, make the trek over the ...more

Termini

There are plenty of bars surrounding Termini, most of them close to hostels and thus especially popular with students. If you plan on staying out late, travel with a group and watch your purse. Stay away ...more

Nomentana

V. Nomentana is near the cluster of hostels surrounding Termini, making it a great option for students wanting to venture a bit further. Good bars and discotecas which open and close seasonally are always ...more

Testaccio And Ostiense

Off Rome's central map, Testaccio and Ostiense cater to in-the-know partygoers: locals who've sought out the best clubs and the savvy tourists or students who've sought out the locals. The strip of clubs ...more

Ostia

In the summer, many Roman clubs shut down operations in the city and head out to the beach. Most are in Ostia, the closest beach to the center, with some notable others in Fregene and elsewhere. For ...more

Pub Crawls

Numerous companies offer pub crawls through various neighborhoods of Rome—the most popular are in the area around Termini, the Ancient City, and the Centro Storico. If you’re at least 18 and speak ...more