Must-see nightlife in The Italian Riviera

  • Les Rouges

    Genoa

    One of Genoa's surfeit of crumbling palazzi is being put to excellent use in this atmospheric cocktail bar. Three bearded, vest-wearing, red-headed…

  • Nessun Dorma

    Manarola

    On a wave-kissed promontory overlooking the pastel-coloured houses of Manarola, this leafy terrace bar makes a magical setting for a sundowner. Great wine…

  • Cantine Matteotti

    Genoa

    The Puccini wafting up the laneway gives you some clue that this is a special little place. The owners here have a passion for good music and brilliant…

  • La Scuna

    Corniglia

    Craft beer on draft, first-rate cocktails and creative appetisers make a great combo at this surprisingly hip little spot in this most traditional of…

  • Malkovich

    Genoa

    Tucked under the bar Groove, Malkovich is one of Genoa's most atmospheric and secretive drinking dens. To get in, you'll have to provide the password …

  • Enoteca Internazionale

    Monterosso

    One of the best places in Cinque Terre to discover the wines of the region, this family-run wine shop offers various tastings from its selection of over…

  • A Pié de Mà

    Riomaggiore

    A delightful spot for an afternoon pick-me-up, this open-air gem has a terrace perched right over Riomaggiore's wave-kissed shoreline. You'll find local…

  • Cantina Nessun Dorma

    Manarola

    The best place in Manarola for learning about (and more importantly tasting!) the wines of Cinque Terre occupies a stone-walled 16th-century building near…

  • Resilience Cafe

    La Spezia

    An atmospheric spot for a pre- or post-dinner drink, the Resilience Cafe exudes effortless style, with its wine red walls, shelves of books, twinkling…

  • Terra Rossa

    Corniglia

    Just off the road that leads down to the station, this vine-covered terrace has pretty views over the vineyards tumbling down to the water, and…

  • A Rumènta

    Genoa

    A Genovese original with delightful staff and an easy-going crowd, A Rumènta serves up local craft beers (nine taps from a changing rotation), alongside…

  • Maama Bar

    Savona

    Never mind that the sign says Mighetto Vini d'Asti, Maama Bar is one of the best places to be for an afternoon or evening libation. Join locals for an al…

  • Enoteca Pesce

    Genoa

    Tiny wine bars dot Genoa's old city, although this one, under the arches by the port, is particularly characteristic and full of colourful locals. They…

  • Al Faro di Portofino

    Portofino

    Situated at the base of Portofino's lighthouse, this terrace bar has mesmerising views over the sea from its clifftop perch. Keep your eyes peeled for…

  • Antica Vineria della Marchesa

    Genoa

    If you've been yearning for some late-night drinking fun, this antica-is-the-new-black place is your answer. A completely untouched old-school backstreet…

  • Burgus Bar

    Vernazza

    A charming little hole-in-the-wall, with only a couple of ringside benches looking over Piazza Marconi to the little beach, this neighbourhood bar serves…

  • Fuori Rotta

    Riomaggiore

    Set on a hillside lane, the friendly Fuori Rotta makes a fine escape from the busier spots by the harbour. Here you can sit at outdoor tables overlooking…

  • La Taverna del Metallo

    La Spezia

    That heart-warming combination of heavy metal and medieval ambience draws young revellers to this quirky drinking den just off Via del Prione. Tapered…

  • Enoteca da Eliseo

    Monterosso

    Going strong since the 1980s, this back-lane enoteca (wine bar) run by the welcoming Eliseo and Mary makes a charming setting for a glass or two. Grab an…

  • Sabot Italia

    Santa Margherita Ligure

    Just around the corner from the historic centre, Sabot serves some of Santa Margherita Ligure's best aperitivi, where a generous platter of snacks…

  • Bar O'Netto

    Riomaggiore

    Riomaggiore's liveliest drinking den is a local institution – around in one form or another since 1921. Stop in here to catch up on village gossip (if you…

  • À Cáneva

    Corniglia

    Near the Chiesa San Pietro, this tiny bar has a few low tables and cleverly placed cushions right on the stairs of a peaceful lane. It feels like a hidden…

  • Bar Terza Terra

    Corniglia

    The draw of this tiny cafe is the terrace located just a bit further along, on the right. Here you can contemplate Manarola off in the distance while…

  • Enoteca Il Pirun

    Corniglia

    Spread across two floors of an old village house, the old-fashioned Il Pirun is named after the odd-looking wine pitcher that allows thirsty customers to…

  • Scurreria Beer & Bagel

    Genoa

    A little bit of Brooklyn or Melbourne in the caruggi, this brewpub packs out with Genoa's black-clad young. There are over a dozen taps of local and…

  • Vertical Bar

    Riomaggiore

    With outdoor tables on a prime stretch of Via Colombo, Vertical Bar is a great spot for coffee or cocktails – depending on which direction you're steering…

  • Odioilvino

    La Spezia

    A dark, bohemian, elegantly dishevelled wine bar on a pretty street in the pedestrian centre, Odioilvino is a fine place to relax with locals over a…

  • La Conchiglia

    Riomaggiore

    There's much to like about La Conchiglia: its well-priced local wine list, perfect waterfront location and a menu of big, healthy salads, panini and…

  • Monkey Artpub

    Vernazza

    Hidden on a narrow lane a few steps off the harbour, Monkey Artpub is an atmospheric drinking den with dark stone walls, an artfully lit shelf of…

  • 5 Terre Bistrot

    Vernazza

    Slightly concealed above the chapel along Vernazza's main street, this small wine shop and bar is a fine place to sample some of Cinque Terre's finest…

  • Ananasso Bar

    Vernazza

    Go early to score a seat at this youthful, easy-going terrace cafe, with its yellow-umbrella-shaded tables perched above Vernazza's tiny beach. Aside from…

  • La Cantina dello Zio Bramante

    Manarola

    Just below street level, this friendly local watering hole is the best place in town for some late-night revelry. There's live music on weekends (and more…

  • La Spezia Brewing Company

    La Spezia

    Founded by two Swedes back in 2016, La Spezia Brewing Company makes some of the finest beers in the Italian Riviera. The taproom keeps irregular hours,…

  • A Piè de Campu

    Manarola

    Serves up excellent wines and small plates on a terrace in the upper part of town. Come in the daytime to explore Cinque Terre's unique wines in the…

  • La Mancina

    Camogli

    A couple of stools outside will give you a sea view, but the real action here is inside, where books line the walls and locals chat with the welcoming…

  • Winterose

    Portofino

    A serious wine shop with simple tables right on the waterfront for your nightly aperitivo. It's a yachties' favourite.

  • UVA

    Genoa

    If you're keen to taste the best of Italian wine and not on a multiple-region trip, this bar breaks out of the local-is-best mould and offers a long list…

  • Fratelli Klainguti

    Genoa

    Pre-dating cappuccinos, Klainguti opened in 1828 and its Mittel European charms, and presumably its strudel and pastries, had Verdi and Garibaldi coming…

  • Café degli Specchi

    Genoa

    A bit of Turin disconnected and relocated 150km to the south, this tiled art-deco showpiece was (and is) a favourite hang-out of Genoa's intellectuals…

  • Bar Berto

    Genoa

    Piazza delle Erbe's sliver of bars is the place for Genoa's youth to enjoy an alfresco drink. The tables of various bars merge in the cobbled square, but…