Where to drink like a local in Venice

Venice is crowded with bars. Two of the best are the ever-popular Margaret Duchamp and Café Noir, recommends The Culture Trip, while Time Out points travellers in the direction of Campo Santa Margherita, the best bar-ringed square in Venice. Locals recommend a long list of the best bars at Like a Local, and Venetian oenophile Matteo Bisol has a well-curated selection of top-notch wine bars at Saveur.    

Cream of the crop? Here are three strong recommendations from World’s Best Bars:  

Gabbiano Bar is “where the elite come to unwind … outside, the covered terrace overlooks the hotel’s large pool … inside, the lounge oozes the same sophisticated class as the rest of the hotel, and guests are treated to live music from a baby grand piano as they sip an aperitif or after-dinner nightcap.”  

Oriental Bar: the interior is “lavishly decked out in red velvet and dark woods -- creating the perfect setting for tucking yourself away in a quiet corner with a perfectly mixed drink … the well-stocked bar can serve up more than 30 variations on the famous Venetian Spritz … the extensive cocktail list also features more than a dozen Martinis … a simple but exquisite menu of finger foods and snacks, with a focus on seasonal produce …”

Bar Tiepolo’s “splendid surroundings are warmly lit to create a sumptuously cosy interior, enveloping guests in the atmosphere of a Venetian salon … this bar really comes into its own in the summer months, when the waterfront terrace is the perfect place to watch the sun go down over Venice and then linger as the city’s lights go on and sparkle over the darkened waters of the Grand Canal.”