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Top 10 Places to Quench Your Thirst in Rome
The crowd at Fischio, image sourced from Facebook
Due to its mild climate for most of the year, Rome can rely on a crowded scene of outdoors bars: the perfect places to quench your thirst while sitting al fresco.
Actual bars are not the sole characters in this story – locals have a specific term for a different kind of outdoors hangout. They call them chioschetti, literally “small kiosks”, and they’re a very temporary kind of place.
Indeed, they are only open on spring and summer, as they have no heating and no indoors seating. Drinks are usually cheaper here, and they serve limited to no food – because the place is basically a hut, they have no kitchen.
What’s more, chioschetti are far from the most touristy areas! So go and expect to meet locals, but go on a wrong time of the year and you will be sorely disappointed!
What follows is the best of the “kiosk scene” in Rome, but make sure you read this before going:
Important information about “chioschetti”!
Before you go looking for the perfect kiosk to quench your thirst at, make sure you look them up on social media (I made sure to add their profiles, whenever available in the info section).
Some may hold temporary events in different locations, some may close unexpectedly because of extreme weather conditions or other disruptions (remember: you will be basically drinking by the side of a road or piazza!). So, the only way to know whether they’re open when you travel to Rome is to check their Facebook or Instagram pages.
Also, keep in mind that all the kiosks I have listed are in residential areas: learn about the different options to get there… and go back (sadly Rome doesn’t offer a 24 hour subway service!). Plan accordingly!
1. Fischio
At a glance: Fischio and Piazzale degli Eroi, image sourced from Facebook
Somewhat of a best-kept secret, Fischio is run by an association called “Ascolti”: they organize DJ sets, concerts and other musical events both outside this kiosk and in other locations around the city.
If you go early enough at night, you can enjoy a typical neighborhood scene – old men sitting and chatting by the newsstand just on the side of the bar, young Romans enjoying their aperitivo, and behind them kids riding a small carousel while commuters come back from work. Lovely!
Address: Piazzale degli Eroi (Cipro subway stop).
FACEBOOK PROFILE
2. Ponte Tazio
Fun fact: Ponte Tazio changes looks every year – this is the bar in 2016. Image sourced from Facebook
A bit of trivia is in order: the owner of this kiosk used to be in a popular boyband. When that ended, he wisely invested his money into this rundown kiosk, which has become overtime an absolute staple of the local nightlife – people come from the whole city to get a table here and quench their thirst, because drinks are cheap and the atmosphere is chill!
Sometimes, when the owner feels like it, he will even set up a stage among the tables and have talented locals sing for the patrons!
The owner’s mamma can be found mixing drinks or preparing mini-sandwiches for the customers, who range from people in their early 20s to those in their 40s. In spite of the kiosk being in the shade of the trees from nearby park Sicinio Belluto, Ponte Tazio won’t open at all if it’s too cold or too rainy.
Address: Corso Sempione/Via Maiella (closest subway stop is Conca D’Oro).
FACEBOOK PROFILE
3. Mancio
Mancio at a glance, image sourced from Facebook
The area surrounding the MAXXI has been revitalized in the years since the popular contemporary art museum has launched. Therefore, many bars and hip eateries have opened in the streets around the massive complex designed by the late Zaha Hadid.
This one kiosk has a mixed clientele, a blend of people who just visited some exhibition and those who are going to or coming from a soccer match at the nearby Stadio Olimpico – the Olympic Stadium. If human variety (and a great selection of beers!) is what you’re after, this is the place for you!
Address: Piazza Mancini 14 (exit the subway at the Flaminio stop, then hop on tram no. 2 there. Piazza Mancini is its last stop).
Facebook profile
4. Tram Depot
The bar at Tram Depot, image sourced from Instagram
This one kiosk by the side of busy Via Marmorata, in the Testaccio district, has found a clever way to stand out from the rest of its “colleagues”.
The bar is actually in a decommissioned tramway carriage, hence the name of this lovely hangout, who doubles up as a café and we have mentioned in a dedicated post here.
Word about Tram Depot has spread around, so go on a good day and it could be actually hard to find a table – but no worries! The guys have opened a second location, again with their signature carriage, in the residential Talenti district.
Address: Tram Depot Testaccio is on Via Marmorata 13/ Via Manlio Gelsomini (closest subway stop is Piramide), while Tram Depot Talenti is on Via Corrado Alvaro (at the corner with Largo Sergio Pugliese. Ride on bus no. 60 to reach it).
Instagram profile Testaccio
Instagram profile talenti
5. Da Nunzia
Nunzia’s kiosk in the Colle Oppio park, image sourced from Tripadvisor
This outdoors café with views over the Colosseum has a more “homely” feel compared to other hipper, more modern kiosks, and it’s because of its owner, Mrs. Nunzia, who has been working here over 60 years.
Don’t expect fancy cocktails or DJ sets – the lady will only quench your thirst with basics like sodas or cold beers. However, nothing beats the views or the local scene (a mix of young families, artists, and the occasional tourists).
Address: Via della Domus Aurea, 1 (inside the Colle Oppio park. Closest subway stop is Colosseo). No social media available, alas!
6. Chiosco San Lorenzo
Scenes from a lazy morning at Chiosco San Lorenzo, image sourced from Facebook
Sitting quietly in a corner of the Parco dei Caduti del 19 Luglio 1943 Park in the San Lorenzo district, it’s no wonder you’ll be surrounded by students at this kiosk: the oldest university in Rome, La Sapienza, is nearby, and this borough is where most of them live.
This bar doubles as a makeshift library or, more accurately, a booksharing location – bring some with you! Also of note is that kids have their own playing area right around the bar – young families are welcome!
Address: Via dei Peligni (look for the park! Closest subway stop is Vittorio Emanuele, or get here by bus (line no. 71, for instance).
Facebook profile
7. Totem
Mixing drinks at Totem, image sourced from Facebook
Uphill in the Monteverde Nuovo area above Trastevere, this kiosk used to be a flower shop until some locals transformed into a (much-loved) hangout, an outdoors only alternative to the many bars in the district.
While tourists are increasingly discovering Monteverde, expect to stand out ad the lone foreigner, as the crowd is Roman-only.
Cocktails are highly recommended – with some concoctions being exclusively available here, the labour of love of the highly skilled (and very nice) personnel!
Address: Largo Alessandrina Ravizza, 1 (close to the route of tram no. 8).
Facebook profile
8. Il Chioschetto di Ponte Milvio
This is one of the oldest “chioschi” in Rome, image sourced from Facebook
The Ponte Milvio area has no shortage of bars, outdoors or indoors, but this is the oldest one in this affluent, hip neighborhood, comparable to a less touristy Trastevere. You could call it the forebear of all other kiosks in Rome and you wouldn’t be wrong!
Attracting crowds of twenty-year olds since time immemorial, expect a quick service and great views over Piazzale di Ponte Milvio and the river Tiber – the Milvian Bridge is right behind you!
Address: Piazzale di Ponte Milvio, 1 (get here with tram no. 2 – see directions for “Mancio” – and go across the bridge on the River Tiber).
Facebook profile
9. Lemoncocco
Can’t find Lemoncocco? Ask locals for “chiosco Buenos Aires”! Image sourced from Tripadvisor
Exploring the Coppedè district? Don’t forget your camera… and a stop at this historic kiosk, that has been in operation for over 70 years.
The creators of the famous (and extremely local) “Lemoncocco” soda (a mix of lemon juice and coconut water), the Buenos Aires guys also serve cocktails, beers and excellent coffee. Not as trendy as the other places in this list, but perfect for a Roman night out!
Address: Piazza Buenos Aires (get here by tram no. 3 or no. 19). No social media profile, alas!
10. Nativo
The crowd at Nativo, just under the Trovajoli bridge in north Rome, image sourced from Facebook
A different kind of kiosk, shaded by the Ponte della Musica bridge by the Olympic Stadium.
Part bar, part restaurant, part club, with a posh atmosphere and a beautiful crowd of locals, expats and tourists, this is by far the place with the highest prices among the ones I have listed.
Expect a different kind of vibe, more chic & less spontaneous (even though, to be fair, they even set up yoga lessons by the river). Be aware of the more formal style so you can dress accordingly!
Address: Ponte della Musica Armando Trovajoli (follow the same directions for Mancio and be prepared to walk some 10 minutes south along the river from there. The bar is across the bridge).
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