Rooftop Bars in Venice: 12 Places to Drink with a View
Venice is jam-packed with just about every type of amenity a traveler could ever want. Not only are there luxury boutiques, quaint cafés, and world-class restaurants, there are hundreds of fun bars and nightclubs to let loose at. The traditional Venice watering hole is typically a quiet and relaxed canalside wine bar, where patrons can lounge with a beverage and the ever-important cicchetti (finger foods served with drinks), but rooftop bars and restaurants have been popping up all over Venice.
Whether it’s a Michelin-approved restaurant, flashy nightclub, or elegant wine bar, Venice rooftop bars all have one thing in common: breathtaking views of this historic city. Even at ground level, the canalside and Piazza cafés and bars have great views and gorgeous ambiance. You can’t go wrong with dropping your bags with Bounce and hitting up the best rooftop bars and canalside cafés for the best views in Venice.
Whether you want to make drinks with a view your nighttime activity or use it as a place to rest in between browsing the best shopping in Venice, these rooftop bars definitely won't disappoint:
Ae Bricoe
What's it like:
Situated in the vibrant Cannaregio neighborhood, this unassuming café and wine bar has some of the best views in the city. For one, Ae Bricoe is located along the Fondamenta della Misericordia, which is a bustling stretch that’s light on the tourists, and heavy on the locals (and in-the-know travelers). Sit beside the canal and enjoy a dry white or summery red, and watch the gondolas drift by. The patio is sunny, but the indoor seating by the bar has wide windows for shaded lounging.
Our recommendation:
Ae Bricoe prides itself on its excellent tramezzini sandwiches, and you never know what you’ll get with its rotating menu of cicchetti. Because of its prime location, Ae Bricoe is the perfect spot to start a canalside bar crawl in Cannaregio.
Location:
Fondamenta dei Ormesini, 2684, 30121 Venezia VE, Italy
Bar Al Prosecco
What's it like:
While Prosecco is famous in America for its role in booze-soaked bottomless brunch and yacht parties, it was once an obscure regional favorite in Venice. Bar Al Prosecco was the flagship wine bar for the brand and is one of the most scenic places to enjoy a glass of bubbly beverages and take in the gorgeous piazza it’s situated along.
Our recommendation:
While most people stop in for the views, Bar Al Prosecco was one of the earliest adopters of natural wine. Their menu features a deep list of local, biodynamic, and organic wines. While you’re people-watching and nibbling on their underrated array of cheese and Cicchetti, you can enjoy some of the most fascinating wines in all of Italy.
Location:
Sestiere Santa Croce, 30135 Venezia VE, Italy
Blind Spot
What's it like:
Located in Mainland Venice in the Mestre neighborhood, Blind Spot is a stylish rooftop bar on the 18th floor of the HTM Hybrid Tower. The sleek modern architecture might not be quintessentially Venice, but the panoramic views of the Venetian Lagoon and city are unbeatable from this vantage point.
Our recommendation:
The rooftop terrace bar is massive, so seating larger groups is much easier than the cramped patios and terrazzas of older buildings. The cocktail menu is globally-inspired, resembling a Los Angeles or New York lounge more than a wine bar, but these refreshing drinks are the perfect accompaniment to the view.
Location:
Via Torino, 6, 30173 Venezia VE, Italy
Ca'Sagredo Rooftop
What's it like:
This rooftop bar is located on the roof of a hotel that’s been converted from a Venetian Palace. The exclusive Ca’Sagredo Hotel is situated on the Grand Canal, and the rooftop restaurant and bar has unbeatable views of this Venetian treasure. You’ll get to watch the water taxis, gondolas, and kayakers drift along the bustling canal. The rooftop also has excellent vantage points for the Rialto Market and several ornate church spires.
Our recommendation:
While the bar is stocked with just about everything, it specializes in refreshing cocktails that use seasonal fruit to create flavors that match the sunny setting. The bar is open only to restaurant patrons, but luckily it’s one of the finest bistros in this part of Venice. Reservations are recommended and absolutely worth it.
Location:
Fondamenta Trapolin, 3935, 30121 Venezia VE, Italy
Il Brillo Parlante
What's it like:
If you are visiting the Frari Church (which is on a lot of “must-see” lists), you can stop by the Campo San Stin for some relaxation on the square or a glass of wine and cicchetti at Il Brillo Parlante. If you want to “live like a local” during your stay in Venice, this is one of the best patio bars to visit. The hordes of tourists will be preoccupied elsewhere, so the crowd definitely leans local, but this charming little neighborhood bar is welcoming to visitors.
Il Brillo Parlante may be a quiet place to rest your feet, but it’s near the bustling Piazza San Polo, and the people-watching from the bar’s patio is second-to-none.
Our recommendation:
Enjoy a refreshing spritz to cool down after walking around all afternoon, and cicchetti are complimentary.
Location:
Calle del Tabacco, 2394, 30125 Venezia VE, Italy
La Terrazza Bar at H10 Palazzo Canova
What's it like:
Another terrace along the Grand Canal, this swanky 4th-floor bar has panoramic views of the San Silvestro area, including the Rialto Bridge. There’s an indoor part of the bar, which can come in handy when the weather doesn’t cooperate. The sun-soaked terrace has ample seating.
Our recommendation:
There are small bites, but most patrons grab an afternoon spritz or a post-dinner cocktail. If you want to visit one of the best rooftop restaurants in Venice, this is worth a visit.
Location:
Riva del Vin, 744, 30125 Venezia VE, Italy
Quadri
What's it like:
This café is situated on the Piazza San Marco, and walkable from the Grand Canal, so you can expect two things. First, this is the heart of Venice, so the people watching is some of the best in the world. Second, this is the heart of Venice, so expect a lengthy wait for a table on its cobbled sidewalk patio.
Our recommendation:
The Michelin-starred Ristorante Quadri is located upstairs, which only adds to the bar and cafe’s popularity. But this also means the cicchetti and small bar menu are absolutely outstanding. The elevated bar snacks could be the main draw if not for the view; Quadri’s cluster of tables overlook St. Mark’s Square, and it simply doesn’t get better than that. The stellar wine list is curated by a Sommelier, but the most popular beverage at Quadri tends to be a refreshing spritz.
Location:
Calle Amor dei Amici, 2717, 30125 Venezia VE, Italy
Restaurant Terrazza Danieli
What's it like:
The Hotel Danieli’s rooftop bar and restaurant is one of the most stylish places in Venice to dine or grab a drink. It's also one of the best rooftop restaurants in all of Europe. For one, the decor creates an unforgettable ambiance combining coziness and elegance. It’s a comfortable terrace that boasts incredible panoramic views of St. Mark’s Square, Giudecca Island as well as the Venetian Lagoon. The luxurious decor of the Neo-Gothic Loggia features chandeliers, vaulted ceilings, and marble columns. It’s an opulent setting with an upscale menu, so expect a fashionable crowd.
Our recommendation:
The menu offers authentic Venetian favorites, along with some traditional Italian options that will be familiar to most travelers. Most sophisticates will be sipping one of their expertly-shaken martinis, but their menu of aperitifs is the star here. Terrazza Danieli has one of the most thorough collections of regional Italian liquors in Venice, and cocktail connoisseurs flock to this rooftop hangout.
Location:
Riva degli Schiavoni, 4196/4° piano, 30122 Venezia VE, Italy
Sagra Rooftop Restaurant
What's it like:
Venice may be a compact city, but the sprawling array of islands, surrounding landscape, and eerily beautiful lagoon make for one of Europe’s most beautiful views. Remarkably, all of these sights are attainable from one location, and there are craft cocktails. The location? Sagra Rooftop Restaurant atop the JW Marriott Resort on the Island of Roses. This exclusive resort is a water taxi away from all the best landmarks of San Marco and San Polo, but the luxurious experience of this tiny island across the lagoon is unique. The truly 360-degree panoramic view from Sagra Rooftop Restaurant might be the best of any Venice rooftop bar. The scope of the vantage point is staggering, diners can see all the way to the hills surrounding the Venetian lagoon.
The restaurant is named after the Italian village of Sagra, which is famous for its yearly food festival. The food menu picks from all the best regional Italian cuisines, so travelers can sample a variety of dishes, and there are flashes of Mediterranean dishes as well.
Our recommendation:
The bar itself is a traditional Venetian terrace with comfortable seating (including lounge sofas) that’s perfect for lounging all afternoon in the sun or for romantic dinners. Despite the upscale setting, the staff is approachable, as is the drink service. The wine menu is well-curated but not encyclopedic like some wine bars. The cocktail program skews modern, so you’re likely seeing the same selection as classy hotel bars in Los Angeles or Paris. The ever-dependable spritz is the house's specialty and is perfect for cooling down after a long day of sightseeing.
Location:
Sacca Sessola Laguna di, 30133 Venezia VE, Italy
Settimo Cielo Rooftop
What's it like:
Located on the 7th floor of the five-star Bauer Palazzo hotel, the Settimo Cielo Rooftop Bar is the highest rooftop terrace in all of Venice. Fittingly, it offers stunning views of the surrounding Chiesa Di San Moisé neighborhood, as well as the bustling Campo San Stefano. While the hotel may seem exclusive, the bar (though upscale) is open to the public.
Our recommendation:
The food menu draws from traditional Venetian cuisine, so expect all the best local dishes you won’t want to miss. And the menu was created by Michelin-starred chef Christiani Tomei. The cocktail menu and wine list are both perfectly serviceable, but the views are really the draw here. From the wooden terrace, you have magnificent views of the lagoon, especially for enjoying a sunset with delicious cocktails!
Location:
S. Marco, 1459, 30124 Venezia VE, Italy
Skyline Rooftop Bar
What's it like:
While it may not be the most authentic experience, you really can’t compete with the views of certain chain hotels. Located on the far end of Giudecca Island, the Skyline Rooftop Bar on the eighth floor of the Hilton Molino Stucky Venice hotel is one of the premier rooftops to grab a cocktail and catch some amazing views.
Our recommendation:
Fortunately, this bar is not exclusive to hotel guests. Unfortunately, they don’t take reservations. Considering it won “Best View of Venice” from Lonely Planet, Skyline’s views are well-documented, so expect a wait to get a table. The extensive cocktail menu has some unique creations, but their signature negroni is one of the standouts. The Skyline also hosts frequent events, including DJ sets or live music so expect a high-energy crowd once the sun sets.
Location:
Giudecca, 810, 30133 Venezia VE, Italy
Vino-Vero
What's it like:
While rooftop bars are increasingly popular, the quintessential Venice drinking experience is set along the canal on a quiet patio, where plates of cicchetti are shared with a bottle of wine. Vino-Vero perfectly encapsulates this idea and even builds on it by offering one of Venice’s best wine lists.
Fashionable natural wine bars (not just a Los Angeles staple) can be found all over Italy, and Venice’s Vino-Veri was on the cutting edge of this trend. Vino-Vero has since expanded to Lisbon, which proves that natural wine and bespoke drinking experiences have universal appeal, but the OG Venice location is truly unmissable.
Our recommendation:
What sets this quiet spot apart is the friendly and knowledgeable staff. Navigating wine lists can be a daunting task, but their team makes it an enjoyable and even educational experience, and the results are delicious.
Location:
Ramo de la Misericordia, 2497, 30100 Venezia VE, Italy
Conclusion
Because Venice is entirely pedestrianized, the only way to get around is by foot or by boat. So when you’re hopping around world-class museums and churches, strolling through idyllic piazzas, or going on a rooftop bar crawl, leave your bags with Bounce to make the most of your trip to Venice!
