Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
( 041 528 79 98; Campo Santa Margherita 2963; 7am-1am Mon-Sat; Ca' Rezzonico)
Sunny
piazza seating speeds recovery from last night's revelry, with espresso that opens eyes like
a pull cord on venetian blinds - until the cycle begins again at 6pm, with standing-room-
only happy-hour crowds. Locals affectionately call this red shopfront
'al rosso'
, and its
inexpensive
spritz
generously splashed with scarlet Aperol gives visitors and locals alike
an instant flush of Venetian colour.
PUB CRAWL, WITH FRIENDS
Why drink alone? To help visitors navigate Venice's vast
cicheti
(bar snacks) menu and confusing
backstreets,
Venice Urban Adventures
(
www.urbanadvantures.com
; cicheti tours €52) offers intimate
tours of happy-hour hot spots led by knowledgable, enthusiastic, English-speaking local foodies.
Tours run €52 per person (with up to 12 participants), covering
ombre
(wine by the glass) and
cicheti
in five (yes, five)
bacari
and a tipsy Rialto gondola ride. Departure points vary seasonally; consult
website.
TOP OF CHAPTER
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San Polo & Santa Croce
Al Prosecco
WINE BAR
( 041 524 02 22;
www.alprosecco.com
; Campo San Giacomo dell'Orio, Santa Croce 1503;
9am-10.30pm Mon-Sat, to 8pm winter; San Stae)
The urge to toast sunsets in Venice's
loveliest
campo
is only natural - and so is the wine at Al Prosecco. This forward-thinking
bar specialises in
vini naturi
(natural-process wines) - organic, biodynamic, wild yeast
fermented - from the €3.50 unfiltered 'cloudy'
prosecco
to the silky €5 Veneto Venegazzú
that trails across the tongue and lingers in the imagination.
Al Mercà
WINE BAR
( 393 992 47 81; Campo Cesare Battisti 213, San Polo; 9.30am-2.30pm & 6-9pm Mon-Sat; Ri-
alto)
Discerning drinkers throng this cupboard-sized bar crammed with
cicheti
and 60 dif-
ferent wines, including top-notch
prosecco
and DOC wines by the glass (€2 to €3.50). Ar-
rive by 6.30pm for meatballs and mini-
panini
(€1 to €2) and easy bar access, or mingle
