5 things to do in Venice at night

Venice is extra special after nightfall, when the heat of the day subsides and the city takes on an entirely different atmosphere. Whether you want to indulge in the city’s finest palazzos or you’re simply on the lookout for free things to do in Venice at night, here are some of our favourite evening pastimes in this wonderful city.

1. Enjoy a performance at the Teatro la Fenice

Credit photo > wikipedia
Opened in 1792 and rebuilt several times over the centuries since, this grand opera house – the Phoenix, in English – was once the setting for premieres by the likes of Verdi, Bellini and Rossini. To this day, you can spend an evening at the Teatro la Fenice enjoying all kinds of performances ranging from opera and orchestral works to dance and ballet. Whether it’s La Traviata or a small chamber music group, you’re guaranteed a show worth watching at this prestigious venue.

2. Play roulette at the Casino di Venezia

If you thought casinos were just for holidays in Monaco or Las Vegas, you’d be wrong. Enjoy a refined evening of Casino Royale-style fun at the Casino di Venezia, which you’ll find at the Ca’ Vendramin Calergi, a historic palace right on the Grand Canal in the Cannaregio quarter. Founded in 1638, it’s the world’s oldest casino and it has all your favourite casino games housed in luxurious surroundings. If you’ve been lucky at the roulette wheel or blackjack table, splash your winnings on dinner at the elegant first-floor Wagner Restaurant.

3. Admire the views from the Skyline Rooftop Bar

Photo Credit> skylinebarvenice.it

If you’re looking for an aperitif with a view, you can’t do much better than the Skyline Rooftop Bar, an 8th floor haven of sophistication in the Hilton Molino Stucky Venice Hotel in Giudecca. Looking out over sensational views of Venice, sip a chilled glass of Champagne or try an exciting cocktail such as the Smokey Old Fashioned (complete with spellbinding dry ice) or the Grain 24 (complete with 24 pomegranate seeds).

4. Sip cocktails at Time Social Bar

If you’re a cocktail enthusiast on the hunt for things to do in Venice at night, another excellent choice for an evening tipple is the Time Social Bar. This top-rated bar serves up a fantastic array of cocktails made with fresh, seasonal ingredients in a small but perfectly formed space in the Cannaregio district. With local wines and tasty bar snacks also available, it won’t take you long to see why this place is described as a true “hidden gem”.

5. Listen to jazz at Venice Jazz Club

A sophisticated concert at the Venice Jazz Club in the Dorsoduro quarter is the perfect way to while away an evening in Venice. An in-house quartet, often joined by guest performers, reimagines modern tunes alongside the classics, and with a busy concert season to look forward to, it’s well worth a visit. Get there at 7pm and you can have dinner before concerts start at 9pm.
If you’re on the hunt for more free things to do in Venice at night, another option is, of course, simply to wander the streets and imbibe the atmosphere. From the Rialto lit up at night to the sights, sounds and smells of restaurants and bars overflowing with people having a good time, Venice at night is truly magical.