Bacari are Venice's traditional wine bars, humble neighborhood institutions where locals gather for a glass of house wine (an ombra) and a plate of cicchetti. The word bacaro likely derives from Bacchus, the Roman god of wine, and these bars have been central to Venetian social life for centuries. Most bacari are standing-room-only, with wooden counters lined with small plates under glass. The ritual is simple: order an ombra of fragolino, prosecco, or a local red, point at whatever cicchetti look good, and eat standing at the bar. The densest concentration sits around the Rialto market in San Polo, where Do Mori has been pouring since 1462.
food-culture
Venice Bacari
Updated 22 Mar 2026·How we research
Must Try
- Ombra de vin (small glass of wine)
- Spritz al Select
- Fragolino (strawberry wine)
- Prosecco sfuso (house prosecco on tap)
- Merlot delle Venezie
Frequently Asked Questions
3 QuestionsWhat is a bacaro?
A bacaro is a traditional Venetian wine bar, typically small and informal, where patrons stand at the counter drinking wine by the glass (called un'ombra) and eating cicchetti (small snacks). They are the Venetian equivalent of a Spanish tapas bar.
What are the most historic bacari in Venice?
Cantina Do Mori near Rialto has been open since 1462, making it one of the oldest bars in Italy. Other beloved bacari include All'Arco in San Polo, Cantina Do Spade (operating since 1488), Al Timon in Cannaregio, and Al Bottegon (also called Cantina Gia Schiavi) in Dorsoduro.
When is the best time to visit a bacaro?
The classic bacaro hours are late morning (around 11:00) and early evening (17:30 to 19:30). Venetians often do a giro d'ombra, a pub crawl visiting two or three bacari before dinner. Avoid peak tourist lunch hours (12:30 to 14:00) at the most popular spots near Rialto.
