Rome 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 of wine, if you're looking for young, pumping clubs, head elsewhere.

Ice Club, V. Madonna dei Monti 18/19 (☎06 97 84 55 81; www.iceclubroma.it), Gelato isn't the only way to cool off from the hot Roman sun: enter Ice Club, the only bar in Italy made entirely of ice. For €15, you get a silver cloak, a pair of gloves, and one free drink at what may be Rome's (literally) coolest spot, an ice tube of colored lights, pulsing music, and stellar drinks. Vodka goes down smooth as, you guessed it, ice and not only because it's served in an ice cup: with over 40 flavors ranging from strawberries and cream to chocolate, you'll never know you're drinking your liquor straight. Clearly, this is how the place keeps its clientele, since after a few shots, it's hard to tell that the temperature is below freezing. From the Fori Imperiali, turn right onto V. Madonna dei Monti. M, W-F, and Su drop by between 6-9pm and get in free after 11pm. Open bar Tu €15. Buy 1 shot, get 4 free Th. Credit cards accepted for cover. Cash only at the bar (because credit cards would just be impractical in that weather). Cover €15; includes 1 drink. Shots €2.50. Straight vodka €7. Cocktails €8. Ice luge €10. Open daily 6pm-2am. Does not take credit cards. No wheelchair access. Serves alcohol. Has air conditioning.
Scholar's Lounge, V. del Plebiscito 101/b (☎06 69 20 22 08; www.scholarsloungerome.com), There'll be no scholars reading here: with nine TVs (including two that are over 5 ft. wide) and over 250 kinds of whiskey (the biggest collection in Italy), they're probably dancing on the table. Don't bother bringing your Italian phrasebook, because the Irish bartenders, huge Irish flag hanging over the bar, and steady stream of Irish dishes (beef in Guinness stew, €9.50) make this a of Dublin on the Tiber. Although you can keep it cheap at only €3.50 for a pint of beer, those looking for a splurge should check out the whiskey list: a shot of Jameson Rarest Vintage Reserve goes for a whopping €133.50. Ask to see their private collection, which might as well be at a museum. From P. Venezia, follow V. del Plebiscito to just where it intersects V. del Corso. Live music Th-F. Karaoke on Tu and Su. Pints €3.50-5.50. Cocktails €7.50-9.50, €5 during the day. Student specials: long drinks €4.50, shots €1. Open daily 11am-3:30am. Happy hour until 8pm. Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access. Serves alcohol.
Libreria Café, V. degli Zingari 36 (☎33 97 22 46 22), Libreria's “business card” is a bookmark, just in case you want to remember the address—or perhaps the page number—where you left off. You'll find yourself in relaxed company at this bohemian cafe, accoutered with draped cloths, antique couches, votive candles, lamps that might as well have come from a Lewis Carroll novel, and, of course, walls of books by Karl Marx, Victor Hugo, Freud, and any number of Italian authors. Check out the coffered ceiling of the stone “den” downstairs, which, surprisingly, is brighter, if a bit musty. Smooth jazz playing in the background will feel even smoother after a glass of one of the 47 varieties of wine (€5) offered. If you do, in fact, want to read, try a cup of tea instead, hailing from Russia, Japan, or even South Africa (€5). B: Cavour. From V. Cavour, turn right onto P. degli Zingari and left onto V. degli Zingari. Beer €3-5. Wine €5. Cocktails €5-6. Appetizers €6-10. Open M 6pm-2am and W-Su 6pm-2am. Takes credit cards. No wheelchair access. Serves alcohol.
Studio 33 Le Bain, V. delle Botteghe Oscure 33 (☎06 68 65 673; www.studiolebain.it), If the Roman gods ever came down to earth, they might choose this grandiose spot to make their landing. Elegant white tables and fresh flowers juxtaposed beside playful neon paintings and suave gold cushions should clue you in to the mixed crowd which comes here—both sophisticated adults looking for fine food and younger ragazze seeking pumping tunes. During the day, full breakfast and brunch are served in the creamy-colored central hall. Starting at 7pm, crowds cluster around one of two bars for aperitifs (€7), cocktails (€7), and conversation. Dopo cena, expect a louder and more experimental mix during the week. From C. Vittorio Emanuele, turn right onto P. del Gesu; head down V. Celsa, then turn left onto V. d. Botteghe Oscure. Cocktails €10. Open daily 7am-2am. Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access. Serves alcohol. Has air conditioning.
Finnegan Pub, V. Leonina 66 (☎06 47 47 026; www.finneganpub.com), There's a pool table and a dart board, flat-screen TVs showing soccer, and live Irish music at this dark and rowdy bar—what more could you want? Perhaps drafts starting at €3 and spirits at €3.50? (No mixed drinks—the Irish drink it straight.) International currency left by customers trails across the ceiling, while enough jerseys to clothe the entire Italian soccer team adorn the walls. All this memorabilia is here to remind folks where they are: a spot that teems with Italians and expats getting their fill of beer, sport, and fun. Coming from the Fori Imperiali, walk down V. Madonna dei Monti until it becomes V. Leonina. Live music on F ranging from jazz to Irish fiddle to folk. Wine €2.50-5.50. Drafts €3-6. Spirits €3.50-4.50. Open M-Th 1pm-12:30am, Sa noon-1am, Su noon-12:30pm. Does not take credit cards. No wheelchair access. Serves alcohol.
Cavour 313, V. Cavour 313 (☎06 67 54 96), The 100 varieties of wine, savory plates, and numerous awards honoring Cavour 313's classy offerings make it the spot of choice for those whose idea of a night out consists of fine food and even finer wine. The wine collection, conveniently on file up front in good library fashion, hails from all over Italy, as do golosità plates like the Calabrian—a mix of hot salami, sun-dried tomatoes with herbs, and olives. For something to offset the salty offerings, try a bit of gorgonzola cheese with honey and sweet marsala wine (€8). Cozy wooden booths can make your dining experience not only more private, but also less noisy. Midway up V. Cavour coming from V. dei Fori Imperiali Wine €3.50-8. Mixed cheese plates €8-12, meat plates €8-10. Open M-Sa 12:30-2:45pm and 7:30pm-12:30am. Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access. Serves alcohol.