Looking for a real Venetian party?
It might be tough for those of you who don’t speak Italian, but here are a few clues as to where to look to find out the latest nightlife activities if you aren’t around during the festive Carnevale or Redentore holidays which have greater scale parties. Venice isn’t known for its happening night scene, but there are a few things you can do to find the few parties or live concerts that aren’t just classical music or quartets in Venice. Here’s how:
1. Become a fan and follow the TFR Facebook fan page.
2. Look for posters plastered on columns or walls. I usually find them on the underpass going from Campo San Polo towards Rialto Bridge or near Campo Santa Margherita, but really keep your eyes open for the posters that look like the ones below.
3. Look at the Events Calendar page.
4. Make local friends during the apertivo hours (daily 6:30pm-9pm) and ask them if they know what’s going on. If they direct you towards El Souk or Il Piccolo Mondo (which are the same place), I would refrain unless you’re really drunk and/or open to dancing in a dark, grimy place. I do have to say, though, if your with a group of friends, then it can be ok, but the average age is 21-23 and the entrance fee is €10 which includes a rail drink. Walking directions: From Accademia Bridge (where the vaporetto stop is), turn right (passing the Accademia art museum) to door #1056 (Dorsoduro sestiere).
Il Piccolo Mondo/El Souk Club
5. The B bar (part of the Bauer hotel) starts after 1am and really gets crowded in the colder months. The B Bar is a completely different scene from Il Piccolo Mondo and doesn’t have a cover charge. Enter the classy lounge of the five-star Bauer hotel with its marbled floors, and go straight to the gold mosaic bar to order a top-shelf cocktail from Gennaro, the bartender. He is revered like a god in all of Venice for his smooth and delicious martinis, as well as his inventive spritz concoctions which start at €10 a pop. This place gets good after 1am when the tired business men leave and the high society of Venice come out to play and dance the night away. Warning: tennis shoes, flip-flops, and untucked shirts are not allowed. You must dress to impress. Walking directions: Go to the far end of St. Mark’s Square and bear left under the portico leading to Salizz. di San Moise, go past Hermes and the Gucci store, and continue straight until you hit the first square, Campo San Moise #1459. Open Wednesday through Sunday 6pm –1am (but if the party is good, the music won’t stop until 3am). Tel: +39 041 520 7022. www.bbarvenezia.com
B Bar at the Bauer 5-Star Hotel
6. If you want to dance and enjoy a more eclectic mixed aged crowd, from college students to artists to dogs, then you might enjoy a music event held at the Laboratorio Morion. This is one of the few places where smoking is still allowed inside the building, but what the heck! It’s a liberal place and they live up to that inside. There are themed nights. Last time I went, it was Mexican night, so there was a dramatic Spanish singer along with a funk band that rocked the place. Yes, my hair reeked of smoke, but at least I got to dance and enjoy a cheap beer for 2 Euro. Many of their events are free and you just pay for drinks. Location: Castello district, Calle di Morion 2951.
Here is a quick glimpse of the concert. The audio isn’t great cause I was right in front of the speakers, but the place was packed and full of dancing Venetians!
Buona festa!