Bars & Nightlife in the Castello District of Venice Italy
Many of the bars in Castello are "local's locals", each with their own set of loyal regulars and all with distinctly homey vibrations. But, even here, you'll find a wide variety of nightlife from tiny bacari with live music to the recently renovated Serra Dei Giardini which offers gourmet food, cocktails and concerts.
Osteria A La Scuela, 3183/A Castello, On Salizada De Le Gate.
One of few places left in Venice where you can still get a one euro "ombra" of the house wine, meet your neighbors and their dogs, and where there seems to be no friction at all between Venetians and tourists. A La Scuela is a cozy neighborhood osteria with a down-to-earth attitude, simple (and yummy from what I've tasted) local foods and regular regulars from the buildings around. Hear Frito Misto play live music on Saturday evenings, or drop bye anytime for a completely relaxed drink & snack.
STRANI, 1582 Castello, On Via Garibaldi.
Painstakingly designed from the wall coverings to the proprietary STRANI bar stools, this bar on the Via Garibaldi is a hopping local favorite busy at all hours of the day and night. STRANI has a large indoor seating area, an enormous bar and several tables outdoors in the Via Garibaldi offering stunning views of the neighborhood. Add to all this generous drinks, great snacks and a charming, fun and friendly staff and you've got a place that you'll want to stay in all night and keep going back to forever.
Serra Dei Giardini, Castello 1284, in the Garden.
Serra is, admittedly, so much more than a bar. In this reclaimed and restored greenhouse in the Giardini the owners have created a meditative, contemplative and celebratory space enjoyable at all hours. Serra runs a greenhouse, hosts yoga classes and serves wines and cheeses of the world. But, yes! It also a wonderful nighttime venue to either relax in the garden, or dance along to the music. Thanks to its enormous windows and lawn and minimally furnished interior, Serra Dei Giardini is more spacious and airy than almost any other venue in Venice. Go here on those hot summer nights. You can learn more about Serra Dei Giardini on their website.
Osteria Ai Do Pozzi, 2613 Castello in Campo Do Pozzi.
One of the last remaining real local's "locals" in Venice. The Osteria Ai Do Pozzi is a large no-frills bar tucked away in a secret corner of Castello. The drinks and food are inexepensive and the atmosphere is decidedly low-key. This bar hosts live music by local bands and young people frequently throughout the summer and the patrons are mostly friends of the bands and neighbors of the bar. Here, parents enjoy a glass of wine and some music while children dance around or play soccer in the square. This is a place worth finding if you want to experience some of the everyone-knows-your-name aspect of Venice as the small town that it really is.
Even with a map, this hideaway is tricky to find. Here's how to get there: Osteria Ai Do Pozzi is located in Campo Do Pozzi, in the residential center of Castello. It can be reached in ten minutes walking from Campo San Zaccaria. Leave Campo San Zaccaria by way of Salizada San Provolo. Turn right in Campo San Provolo, walk through the Campo and turn right when the street reaches a canal. Continue along the canal until it ends at a bridge, the Ponte Dei Greci. Cross the Ponte Dei Greci and walk down the short narrow street, Calle Madona. When the street opens up, stay to the right onto the Salizada Dei Greci. Continue forward and cross one bridge. Turn left on Calle Del Arco and continue across another bridge. Though it will wind a bit, stay on this street until you reach Campo Do Pozzi. Osteria Ai Do Pozzi will be on your right on the corner of the square.
Even with a map, this hideaway is tricky to find. Here's how to get there: Osteria Ai Do Pozzi is located in Campo Do Pozzi, in the residential center of Castello. It can be reached in ten minutes walking from Campo San Zaccaria. Leave Campo San Zaccaria by way of Salizada San Provolo. Turn right in Campo San Provolo, walk through the Campo and turn right when the street reaches a canal. Continue along the canal until it ends at a bridge, the Ponte Dei Greci. Cross the Ponte Dei Greci and walk down the short narrow street, Calle Madona. When the street opens up, stay to the right onto the Salizada Dei Greci. Continue forward and cross one bridge. Turn left on Calle Del Arco and continue across another bridge. Though it will wind a bit, stay on this street until you reach Campo Do Pozzi. Osteria Ai Do Pozzi will be on your right on the corner of the square.
Cantina Antica Vigna, 3818 Castello, Near Sotoportego dei Preti.
Cantina Antica Vigna is a warm and welcoming little cubby near one of the most romantic, yet least known, landmarks of Venice, “The Heart in Brick.” There a heart shaped brick placed inside the of the Sotoportego die Preti. Legend has it that one who touches the brick will immediately find love, and lovers who touch the brick together will remain together forever. And, Cantina Antica Vigna fits the bill of romantic venues with its cozy and warm red-hued interior, classic design and relaxed patrons. This is one of those well-hidden Venetian gems that is worth the effort to find.
Bacaro Risorto, Campo San Provolo, Near Campo San Zaccaria.
Though very close to the major tourist attractions at San Marco and San Zaccaria, Bacaro Risorto somehow manages to maintain a local and relaxed feel. They'll mix any and every drink, they make their own cicchetti and they play the most modern and varied music that you are likely to hear anywhere in the neighborhood. Open from early in the morning, the bar is decidedly a local favorite. People who work and live in the neighborhood stop in at all hours for coffee, spritz, cicchetti, and wine.My home away from home in Venezia!
IniShark Irish Pub, 5787 Castello, On Calle del Mondo Novo, Near Campo Santa Maria Formosa.
Stepping into the Inishark Irish Pub is almost like stepping out of Venice into another world. That is to say, it's much more "pub" than "bacaro". You'd never guess from outside how large the interior is. Inishark has WiFi, often hosts live music, and is also a great hangout for watching sporting events. They have a large selection of beers as well as a fully stocked bar. What's on tap? Guinness of course!
