23 Best Bars in Rome

"Rooftop bars are a hot ticket item in Rome right now, but Cielo—on the top of Hotel de La Ville—is one of the best, with its riviera striped decor, candle-lit tables and sweeping views across Rome. Classic cocktails are their jam and the bartenders really know their stuff. On the night we visited, young, beautiful, and international jet set was the vibe. There was a group of Americans dressed up and ready to party; a Swiss couple on a date; two Glaswegians propped up at the bar; and some very chic Romans having an after-work drink. It’s glam but not intimidating—the kind of place where you can pull up a chair and have a drink solo without feeling out of place. There’s nothing fancy or gimmicky about this cocktail list; it’s all about real-deal, classic drinks—with a twist. Try the ‘watergame’, with blanco tequila, mezcal, honey and basil, or our personal 1980s-love child favorite, the ‘gargamel’: a beautifully blue concoction of Tanqueray gin, bergamot, grapefruit bitters and lemon." - Maresa Manara