Rome 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 steps than pay €15 for drinks and light music at a lounge nearby. There's no reason to stay in this neighborhood for a night out, unless you like walking down empty streets of closed boutiques or rubbing shoulders with businessmen and the patrons of five-star hotels.

Antica Enoteca di V. della Croce, V. della Croce 76b (☎06 67 90 896), Escape the pretentiousness of the surrounding snazzy bars and head to this old-fashioned enoteca for a drink and a meal. The airy feel set by tall ceilings and rustic arches is refreshing compared to nearby places. A plate of homemade pasta with duck sauce and a glass of wine will cost you less than €15 and can be enjoyed in comfort at the long bar or a small side table. Unfortunately, there's no happy hour, but that just means you can enjoy €5 draft pints at 3pm. A: Spagna. From the Spanish Steps, walk down V. della Croce. Wine €4-10 per glass (also available by the bottle). Beer €5. Cocktails €8. Open daily 11am-1am. Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access. Serves alcohol. Has outdoor seating.
GILDA, V. Mario dè Fiori 97 (☎06 67 84 838; www.gildabar.it), We don't think the gold walls and chichi leather couches are a coincidence—dress sharply and prepare to schmooze with Rome's elite (or those with aspirations). One of the city's most famous discos, this upscale spot caters to an exclusive crowd wanting only the best cocktails and music. Pay for a table or rent a private room while you sip that martini and wait for the dance floor to fill up with stylishly-clad clubbers. Colored lights, multiple stereos, and ceilings rivaling St. Peter's in height don't disappoint. Our advice: if you make it here, just forget that “budget” thing and resign yourself to weeping in the morning. A: Spagna. From the Spanish Steps, walk down V. Condotti and turn left onto V. Mario de Fiori. Disco open from Sept to mid-June; moves to the beach at Ostia during the summer. Happy hour buffet with drink €8. €20-30 for a table, includes 1 drink. Cocktails €15. Disco open Sept-June Th-Su midnight-4am. Restaurant open daily from noon. Happy hour 5-9pm. Takes credit cards. No wheelchair access. Serves alcohol. Has air conditioning.
Elegance Cafe, V. Vittorio Veneto 83/85/87 (☎06 42 01 67 45), If elegance means expensive cocktails served by waiters in bowties, then this cafe earns its name. As you might expect of a place surrounded by four-star hotels and catering to rich vacationers. Elegance can't really escape pretentiousness. Colored lights slowly change in sync with the refrains of live piano each night; unfortunately, the music feels like the soundtrack to a 1980s soap opera in which you are the star. From the outside patio, the music isn't quite as overbearing and the high-end modern sculptures will be in your peripheral vision. After a cocktail and a song, you and your wallet will be through. A: Barberini. From P. Barberini, walk up V. Vittorio Veneto. Live piano nightly 9pm-midnight. Cocktails €10-12.50. Open daily 7:30am-1am. Happy hour 6-9pm. Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access. Serves alcohol. Has air conditioning. Has outdoor seating.