Venice Nightlife
Nightlife in Venice is varied. From the traditional concert halls through to the modern dance clubs in the centre, Venice has something to suit all tastes.
Venice has a long tradition of classical music and there is always a concert going on somewhere in the town. Several churches also host classical music concerts from local and international artists. Tickets for these events can be bought from the church box offices and visitors should book in advance to avoid disappointment.
Venice is a relatively quiet town in the early evenings and much of the nightlife is centred around the many bars and cafes around the Piazza San Marco. Although drinks are quite expensive in this area, it is well worth a visit simply in order to soak up the Mediterranean atmosphere. Cafe Florian on the south side of the piazza is one of the more famous establishments and it is said that when Casanova fled from the prisons in the Doge's Palace, he stopped here for a coffee.
Also worth a visit is the Cafe Chioggia where tourists can come at midnight and watch the Moors strike the hour on the clock tower, while a band plays a range of tunes from jazz to pop.
Campo Santa Margherita has recently become the place where Venice's young and beautiful gather and is full of trendy cafes and sophisticated bars. One of the liveliest options here is the Margaret Duchamp, which is situated halfway between the train station and Ca' Rezzonico, and features an outside terrace and a designer interior. Other popular haunts among the locals include Campo San Bartolomeo at the foot of the Rialto Bridge and nearby Campo San Luca. Campo Santo Stefano is also worth a visit as it includes one of the city's most famous ice cream bars.
Due to problems with noise pollution, Venice does not have a huge number of clubs that are open very late. In the summer, visitors can get an opportunity to rub shoulders with some of Hollywood's glitziest celebrities by visiting the Lido. However, for the rest of the year, late-night clubs and wild bars are fairly limited.
Most young people tend to head for Mestre, where there is more space and therefore less restriction on noise. For even less restrictions, head out to Padua for a big night out. The best option for partygoers in the centre of Venice is Disco Club Piccolo Mondo, Calle Contarini-Corfu, Dorsoduro, where visitors can enjoy house music and entrance is fairly cheap.
Another popular venue among younger people in the city is the Casanova Disco Club, Lista di Spagna, Cannaregio, which is situated near Venice's station. The bar and restaurants open at 6pm and at around 10pm the bar becomes a disco which is open until 4am. Admission is sometimes free, especially if you arrive before midnight and if there is an entry fee it usually includes a free drink. All music tastes are catered for, from rock to house.
If you fancy a flutter, Venice has one large casino that it situated on two sites. In the summer the Casino Municipale di Venezia welcomes visitors to its home in the Palazzo del Casino on the Lido and in the winter it moves to the Palazzo Vendramin Calergi on the Grand Canal. Games at both of these locations include the usual blackjack and roulette, as well as video poker. Visitors should be over 21 and dressed to impress. Casinos are usually open from 3pm to 5am on Fridays and Saturdays. Some hotels offer free passes to the casinos for their guests.
From the serene cafes that adorn the Piazza San Marco to the lively casinos in the Palazzos, Venice is a quiet city that has something to offer everyone.
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Nightlife
