Do you want to know the best things to do after dinner in Verona? Well, you’re in luck, because this beautiful northern Italian city thrives in the evening. While it’s undeniably beautiful during the day, after dinner Verona is a vibrant place that’s calling out for you to enjoy it. With impressive venues hosting live theatre and musical performances, there’s certainly no shortage of cultural pursuits.

But if opera isn’t your thing, Verona also has plenty in the way of nightlife to keep you entertained, from lively bars on bustling squares to chill riverside cafes. You can’t help but get caught up in the romance of ‘Juliet’s city’, so take a walk through the streets bathed in warm orange light and soak up the atmosphere of this special destination.

  • 1

    Piazza Erbe

    Historic square lined with bars and restaurants

    Piazza Erbe
    • Nightlife

    The Piazza Erbe is one of Verona’s main squares. It’s a busy spot both day and night, but the beautiful architecture looks extra special at night when the main buildings are illuminated. Take a stroll around the square, taking in the stately town hall and the beautiful frescoes of the Mazzanti Houses, along with the 14th-century fountain.

    The square is lined with bars and restaurants making it the perfect spot for a glass of wine or beer as you consider the history of this prettiest of squares. Try Caffe Barbarani for a picturesque, but affordable, cocktail where you can spend an hour or 2 people watching in one of Verona’s prettiest locations.

    Location: 37121 Verona, VR, Italy

    Map
  • 2

    Verona Philharmonic Theatre

    Teatro Filarmonico is Verona’s home of opera

    Verona Philharmonic Theatre
    • Nightlife

    You’ll find Verona’s Philharmonic Theatre, or Teatro Filarmonico, next to Piazza Bra. It’s an opulent 18th-century building that dominates the corner of Via Roma. As you step inside the ornate entrance lobby for an evening show, you’ll be struck by the effort that has gone into making this home of opera such a special place.

    The Philharmonic Theatre has had a difficult life, being destroyed twice and rebuilt for the last time after the Second World War. The theatre of today hosts some of Verona’s most popular operatic and musical performances from its classic semicircular performance space filled with red velvet furnishings and gold leaf decoration.

    Location: Via Roma, 3, 37122 Verona VR, Italy

    Open: Varies

    Phone: +39 045 800 2880

    Map
  • 3

    Caffe Filippini

    A longstanding cafe located on one of Verona’s main squares

    Caffe Filippini
    • Nightlife

    Caffe Filippini is located on the prestigious Piazza Erbe and, having been open for over 100 years, it’s proven itself as one of the city’s most popular cafe/bars. The space is split into 2 distinct areas, a brasserie on 1 side and a cafe on the other. Both display classic decor with luxurious touches like velvet seating and antique mirrors.

    An evening visit gives you the choice of a seat right on the square, where you can soak up the Veronese atmosphere, or inside where you can enjoy the sumptuous surroundings. Either way, a visit to Caffe Filippini is a popular place to visit during a visit to Verona.

    Location: Piazza Erbe, 26, 37121 Verona VR, Italy

    Open: Monday-Friday from 7.30 am to 9 pm, Saturday from 7.30 am to 11 pm, Sunday from 9 am to 8.30 pm

    Phone: +39 045 800 4549

  • 4

    Arena di Verona Opera Festival

    Summertime opera in Verona’s Roman amphitheatre

    Arena di Verona Opera Festival
    • Nightlife

    You couldn’t visit Verona without making a stop at the Arena di Verona, the Roman amphitheatre in the centre of the city. Dating back to 30 AD, the stunning - and super historic - venue hosts an outdoor programme of opera each summer, running from June right through to the end of August.

    With favourite operas like Aida, Tosca and La Traviata on offer, you can’t get more Italian than this. And on a balmy summer evening, the setting is breathtaking. Tickets run from around €25 to over €250, but if you want to make memories that will last for years to come, this is an unbeatable experience.

    Location: Piazza Bra, 1, 37121 Verona VR, Italy

    Open: Varies

    Phone: +39 045 800 5151

    Map
  • 5

    Terrazza Bar al Ponte

    Popular bar with terrace overlooking the river and Ponte Pietra

    Terrazza Bar al Ponte
    • Nightlife

    From the unassuming frontage of Terraza Bar al Ponte, you wouldn’t know the magic it holds inside. Although it’s small, this popular bar boasts a dream terrace set-up with beautiful views over the Ponte Pietra and the fast-flowing Adige River right up to the Castel de San Pietro on the hillside.

    Spaces are hard to come by here, but persevere, as it’s also very reasonably priced given its enviable location. Order a classic Italian Aperol spritz, find a seat out back and spend a few hours enjoying friendly conversation in an inspirational location.

    Location: Via Ponte Pietra, 26, 37121 Verona VR, Italy

    Open: Daily from 10 am to 2 am

    Phone: +39 045 927 5032

    Map
  • 6

    Antica Bottega del Vino

    Impressive wine list in a traditional bodega setting

    Antica Bottega del Vino
    • Nightlife

    Slap bang in the centre of Verona’s Old Town, you’ll find the Antica Bottega del Vino. It’s situated in a historic 16th-century building and the interior is intriguingly old school. Wood-clad walls, rustic tables and chairs, and patterned wooden pillars invite you in to spend some time appreciating Verona’s ancient wine culture.

    Boasting an extraordinary wine list of almost 200 pages, Antica Bottega del Vino celebrates all wine, but is especially dedicated to sharing local Italian wines. With bottles ranging from a more-than-reasonable €25 to well over €1,000, there’s something to enjoy whatever your price point. And the staff are happy to offer their expert guidance to hook you up with a suitable tipple.

    Location: Via Scudo di Francia, 3, 37121 Verona VR, Italy

    Open: Daily from 11 am to midnight

    Phone: +39 045 800 4535

    Map
  • 7

    Rivamancina

    Fashionable venue for cocktails and empanadas

    Rivamancina
    • Nightlife

    Rivamancina is on the opposite side of the river to most of Verona’s attractions, but it’s worth making the short journey over to this bar, which is located on a pretty tree-lined street overlooking the Adige River. Rivamancina specialises in delicious cocktails that are expertly created by mixologists and presented in beautiful glassware.

    But it’s not only cocktails that bring in the punters. Rivamancina is also an Empanaderia, serving up small pasty-like delicacies stuffed full of tasty fillings. There’s also a decent selection of draft and bottled beers from all over the world. Visit for a low-key, but stylish evening where you enjoy gazing back across the river towards Verona’s lovely Old Town.

    Location: Vicolo Quadrelli, 1, 37129 Verona VR, Italy

    Open: Tuesday-Thursday and Sunday from 6 pm to 1 am, Friday-Saturday from 6 pm to 2 am (closed Monday)

    Phone: +39 393 892 1243

    Map
  • 8

    Le Cantine de L’Arena

    Music brasserie in the heart of Verona’s Old Town

    Le Cantine de L’Arena
    • Nightlife

    Just steps from Verona’s Roman Arena, you’ll find a charming cobbled square that’s home to Le Cantine de L’Arena. You can pull up a pew outside, taking in the views and the busy back and forth of people. Or step inside and you’ll find an ornate, floral painting covering all available surfaces, creating an indoors-outdoors feel.

    Take the steps downstairs and you’ll find the ‘music brasserie’, which is the unique selling point of Le Cantine de L’Arena. Red leather banquettes complement the curved brick ceiling and in this low-lit den, you can enjoy a quality jazz gig alongside a selection of the finest Veronese wines.

    Location: Piazzetta Scalette Rubiani, 1, 37121 Verona VR, Italy

    Open: Monday-Friday from 12 pm to 2.30 pm and 7 pm to 11.30 pm, Saturday-Sunday from 12 pm to 3 pm and 7 pm to 11.30 pm

    Phone: +39 045 803 2849

    Map
  • 9

    The Soda Jerk

    Trendy purveyor of cocktails on the right-hand side of the river

    The Soda Jerk
    • Nightlife

    On the right hand side of the Adige River, you’ll find The Soda Jerk, an unusually named bar that consistently tops Verona’s nightlife charts. The first challenge is finding the bar, which is pretty well hidden. But once you locate it, the doorman announces your arrival by ringing a bell - quite a novelty.

    Once inside the tiny bar, you’re in for a treat of the cocktail variety. With a range of classics and more unusual options, as well as cocktails in cans to take away, The Soda Jerk is innovative and fresh. Staff are friendly and the clientele are trendy, making for an unforgettable night out in Verona.

    Location: Vicolo Quadrelli, 5, 37129 Verona VR, Italy

    Open: Monday-Thursday from 10 pm to 3 am, Friday-Saturday from 7 pm to 3 am, Sunday from 7 pm to 2 am

    Phone: +39 045 237 5108

    Map
  • 10

    Dorian Gray

    Always busy nightclub on Verona’s outskirts

    Dorian Gray
    • Nightlife

    Dorian Gray is perfect for a spot of late-night dancing. A 20-minute taxi ride from Verona’s centre will take you out to the suburbs - perhaps not where you’d expect to find a world-class nightclub, but so it is. Spread across two rooms and with three bars, there’s ample space for enjoying some drinks, dancing or just hanging out.

    Dorian Gray is open 3 nights a week and hosts distinctly different themes each night. Fridays are focused on 80s and 90s classics, Saturdays are pitched at a younger crowd, with DJs and club tunes, and Sundays offer a Latin party. A great option for partying into the wee small hours.

    Location: Via Belobono, 13, 37135 Cadidavid VR, Italy

    Open: Friday-Saturday from 9 pm to 4 am, Sunday from 9 pm to 2 am

    Phone: +39 045 540 206

Carly Rolfe | Compulsive Traveler