This month we have a very special article about some of the coolest hangout spots in Rome. We will help you discover a few of the hottest hotel bars in the capital, each one with its own design and style.
JULEP BAR
The first lounge on our list is Julep, the intimate mixology bar on the second floor of the Hotel de la Ville. Found in the elegant centro storico neighborhood, Julep Bar is inspired by the Spice Routes, the complex network of trade paths which connected the East and West. The drinks menu is extensive and they specialise in Vermouth with over a hundred varieties. Settle in for a sophisticated evening of live jazz and soul music with expertly mixed cocktails, staying open until one in the morning. As you enter the bar you will be presented with a mysterious wooden box containing three sachets of spices. You are encouraged to engage your senses as you smell and touch these fragrant parcels, depending on your choice the barman will produce a bespoke cocktail to your tastes. To enter the bar, you pass through the hotel’s Michelin star restaurant, Mosaico, where the yellow walls are printed with antique architectural sketches. These images hark back to a time when aristocratic youths would travel through Europe on the Grand Tour cultivating their artistic sensibilities. The nostalgia of this period has seeped through the whole hotel and is particularly prevalent in their evening haunt, Julep.
JK CAFE
Located inside 5-star hotel J.K. Place on Via di Monte d’Oro, 30. The J.K. Cafe will leave you breathless and its amazing design and architecture will overwhelm you once inside. Besides its playful modern decor and top-notch service (employees are friendly and knowledgeable), their food is made with solely seasonal ingredients and market-fresh produce. Dishes on the menu include Italian classics alongside international favorites. J.K.’s burgers in particular are worth seeking out, especially in a city where well-made, American fare is hard to come by. They also offer signature cocktails, the perfect way to treat yourself and kick off the weekend. J.K. Cafe gets our fullest endorsement as both a restaurant and a lounge – and make sure not to miss out on their weekend brunch. Traveling outside of Rome? If you happen to be in Florence or Capri, you’ll find J.K. Hotel in those cities, too.
DOM
The next lounge on our list is located at the D.O.M. Hotel on Via Giulia 131, one of Rome’s oldest streets. The Dom bar is a beautifully conceived lounge designed to be a place for meeting, drinking, talking, listening and eating. It is an extremely intimate location where all of the senses are accentuated, thanks to its design and style as well as the curated cocktail menu. The Dom bar is decorated with silk velvet sofas, long curtains, crystal chandeliers, large Venetian-style mirrors all over the room and to top it off three precious Ladies and Gentlemen pieces by Andy Warhol. When you sit back and enjoy your drink, you get the feeling that this is also a place where you communicate with your eyes, a sort of “nonverbal” connection with the other guests. In addition to a wide selection of spirits, wines, and champagnes, guests may enjoy various signature cocktails by Deer Club’s expert bartenders. Dom is by far one of the most dynamic and beautiful lounges in Rome, a contemporary speakeasy with a refined and chic feel, a must see while in the city. It is open every evening and reservations are recommended.
THE GIN CORNER
The next lounge on our list is The Gin Corner, with emphasis on the word “The” as this is The first lounge dedicated to Gin in Italy. It opened in 2013 at Hotel Adriano on Via di Pallacorda 2 in the heart of Rome and it has been hugely successful ever since, not only with Gin aficionados who can enjoy more than 100 brands of Gin but it is also popular with those who enjoys a good cocktail. It is not just a hotel bar- it is a meeting place for lovers of well-mixed drinks and a good atmosphere. Head barman Patrick Pistolesi and his staff know how to treat their guests. The cocktail menu is obviously centered around gin: from a Gin & Tonic to a great classic like the Martini and the more common Negroni. And let’s not forget the tonics! Usually they are overlooked, but in this case they are worth mentioning for their high quality and selection of flavours. The Gin Corner, opened every night from 7pm to 1am, won the best hotel bar at the 2015 Bar Awards, need we say more?
ADELAIDE BAR
Hotel Vilòn is Rome’s newest boutique five-star hotel set amidst ancient alleys in the center of Rome. Tucked away footsteps from Via del Corso, Hotel Vilòn offers 18 luxury rooms soaked in charm. But beyond the reception awaits you one of Rome’s coolest hotel lounges: Adelaide Bar. Step inside to be catapulted in a world of luxury and playful colors. The setting is modern and warm, and the bar definitely stands out. Order one of their signature drinks, or have the professional bartender surprise you with his cocktail twists. But don’t just come for the cocktails, the food at Adelaide Bar is also delicious. Come by for aperitivo, lunch or dinner to indulge in a selection of delicious twists on classic Roman fare. From the mini hamburger with amatriciana sauce to the crunchy tempura and smoked mozzarella, you’re in for a treat to your palate at Adelaide Bar. And for the good season, immerse yourself in the beautiful outdoor patio: a green haven in the heart of the Eternal City.
CHAPTER ROMA
Newly opened this past May, Chapter Roma is the brainchild of Marco Cilia. Taking inspiration from his years living in NYC, this new lifestyle hotel is already part of the Design HotelsTM collection. Their philosophy is to provide a lifestyle experience to guests that goes beyond their room. The signature style of Tristan Du Plessis of Studio A can also be seen in the entire hotel. Raw steel, brass and copper elements can be found throughout the space paying homage to the street in which the hotel is situated (Via di Santa Maria dei Calderari or “street of the blacksmiths”). Stylish, sophisticated and fun – a mix of modern and traditional, new and old, past and present. Like the city itself, Hotel Chapter Roma is full of contrasts. The bar’s offerings are eclectic (i.e. nachos with chili sauce) but include all of the Italian staples. It’s a perfect fusion of tastes and cultures. Cocktails, like the food, are seasonal here so there’s always something new to taste depending on what time of year you are visiting. Enjoy signature drinks and classic twists on cocktails amidst industrial-chic décor and contemporary art, particularly at aperitivo time, every day from 6pm till 9.30pm.
Via di Santa Maria de Calderari, 47
from 7am to 1am
06 89935351
chapter-roma.com
G-BAR
Finally, we end our article with a small hidden gem, G-Bar, located in the G-Rough Luxury Suites in Piazza Pasquino 69, next to Piazza Navona, this is a new contemporary lounge and wine gallery in Rome, a performance space, a place where you can enjoy anything from a hot tea to a savory cocktail, the G-Bar is open to everyone seven days a week 7 am to midnight. The contemporary lounge offers a wide choice of wine labels selected from niche cellars and small Italian producers; it is dedicated to those who want to taste, even in a glass of wine, an unconventional experience. The place is small but very rich in taste with a sleek design.
Piazza Pasquino, 69
from 7am to midnight
06.68801085
www.g-rough.com
