5 Bars With Views For An Elegant Aperitivo During The Venice Film Festival

With the inauguration of the 79th edition of the Venice Film Festival, the city is oozing glitter and glamor. As the oldest celebration of cinema, with the first event held in 1932, Venice’s festival has an aura of retro movie magic: flamboyant, chic and glitzy.

After admiring alluring celebrity style or promenading along the sunny Lido where the event takes place, festival goers can end the day at one of Venice’s most elegant bars.

With mesmerizing views of dark canals and glinting city lights, these terraces are perfect for a ritzy evening tipple. And you might find yourself sipping your exclusive film festival-inspired cocktail with an a-lister.

Embrace antique elegance at Terrazza Danieli

The opulent Hotel Danieli terrace bar is a long-time haunt of festival attendees. The 14th-century palazzo has a sumptuously marbled and gilded interior but the view from the terrace is not to be missed. Sitting on the Riva degli Schiavoni, the hotel overlooks the Bacino di San Marco, a brief stretch of shimmering water lying before the island of San Giorgio Maggiore and its eponymous gleaming white church.

The terrace is known to tempt a Hollywood couple or two with its romantic setting. This season, head barman Roberto Naccari is offering the “Lioness Julianne,” a cocktail inspired by Julianne Moore, this year’s jury president. The drink is a refreshing mix of crème de violette, prosecco and fresh lime.

Sip cocktails by the pool at Hotel Cipriani

The Giudecca, an island separated from Venice by a wide canal, often feels like an oasis away from the hordes of visitors in the historic center. At chic Hotel Cipriani at the east end, movie buffs can take a breather from their hectic cinematic schedule at the Gabbiano poolside bar.

After dipping in the Olympic-sized, heated pool, you may find yourself taking some refreshment with George Clooney, who reportedly enjoys creating cocktails along with head barman Walter Bolzonella.

Go classic with Campari at Baglioni Hotel Luna’s pop-up bar

Campari bitter, which can be used instead of Aperol to make spritz, is a Milanese aperitivo icon. In the city of fashion, the drink is imbibed most stylishly at the Camparino in Galleria bar, located in the sights of Milan’s monumental Duomo. This historic bar has opened a limited-time pop-up for the Venice Film Festival in Baglioni Hotel Luna, said to be the canal city’s oldest hotel.

Until September 3rd, the Camparino cocktail bar pop-up opposite St Mark’s Square is open between 6:00 pm and 1:00 am. It is offering guests a bespoke ‘Red Moon’ cocktail inspired by the beauty of Venice. The drink incorporates Campari, Wild Turkey bourbon, and 1757 Vermouth Di Torino Rosso, topped off with a red fruit jelly ball.

Join a private party at Palazzina G

If you’re hankering for a real Hollywood hangout, Palazzina G’s exclusive Krug Lounge awaits. With views over the Grand Canal in the lounge and across the city’s red rooftops from the terrace, the star-studded establishment is the self-proclaimed “place to be” during the cinema festival.

Until September 10th, the restaurant and bar are holding Party like a Star evenings. After an exclusive set menu, the venue transforms into a club after midnight for VIP and hotel guests. The international jet set will be entertained by DJs including Bob Sinclair and Michael Salamon. And the night isn’t over until several rounds of champagne toasts have been done.

Drink in the sunset at the Hilton rooftop bar

Although starting life as a flour factory, the Hilton Mulino Stucky isn’t no run-of-the-mill establishment. Sitting on the west end of the Giudecca island, you’d be hard pushed to find a better view at sunset than from its Skyline Rooftop Bar.

As you sample sumptuous cocktails, the domes and spires of Venice become silhouettes against the orange sky. The 5-star hotel is also a firm celebrity favorite for accommodation during the Venice Film Festival.