Whether it’s morning, noon, or night, Naples, Italy is buzzing with fun things to see, do, and eat. The city’s nightlife, in particular, offers lots of opportunities for evening spontaneity, whether you find yourself near the beach or exploring the local neighborhoods.
Each part of the city has a slightly different vibe, but no matter where you wind up, you’ll find plenty of interesting events, venues, and bars to try.
Read along to find our recommendations for nightlife in Naples, neighborhood by neighborhood. (But the best advice we can give is: go where the night takes you!)
Quartieri Spagnoli: Spritz central
Famous for its lively ambiance and excellent trattorie, Quartieri Spagnoli is brimming with bars that specialize in the beloved Italian co*cktail—spritz. Made with Prosecco, Aperol or Campari, soda water, and a fruit garnish, it’s the perfect drink to get acquainted with the neighborhood.
Opt for the classic Aperol Spritz or a local variation like a limoncello spritz. Usually bars offer small, medium and large spritzes with ascending prices (Heads up: they’ll usually opt to give you the largest one if you don’t specify!)
For more on where to find the best spritz bars in a variety of price ranges, don’t miss our DIY spritz crawl guide.
Insider’s tip: If you’re a budget traveler, the cheapest way to enjoy nightlife is to grab a to-go drink at one of the many bars around the city. It’s legal to drink on the Naples streets, and sitting at a table comes with a surcharge called a coperto. Many locals opt to grab a drink and just enjoy the night air in a piazza.
Centro Storico: Piazza lifestyle
In the Centro Storico part of town (Historic District), you’ll find history and nightlife blended into one. Explore the beautiful piazzas that are equally fun during the evening, like Piazza Bellini and Piazza San Domenico Maggiore. As you wander through the vibrant squares, you’ll often encounter street performers or live music.
Here are four piazzas to include in your night wanderings through Centro Storico:
Piazza Bellini
Piazza Bellini is hands down one of the most popular places on the Naples nightlife scene. Here, you’ll find Caffè dell’Epoca—or commonly referred to as Peppe Spritz—a legendary gathering place known for their delicious and cheap spritz (Via Santa Maria di Costantinopoli, 82/83).
Grab a table if you can, or just get a drink and wander through the piazza. For a more laid back experience, head to Spazio Nea (Via Santa Maria di Costantinopoli, 53), which is a quaint art gallery with a lovely outdoor bar.
Piazza San Domenico Maggiore and Piazzetta Nilo
The picturesque Piazza San Domenico Maggiore and the attached Piazzetta Nilo are popular gathering places for both locals and visitors. You can’t go wrong with bars in these squares, whether you choose to go for a sit-down place or stand out in the piazza with friends.
Plus, if you get hungry, these are two great nearby options:
- Fried pizza from Antica Pizza Fritta da Zia Esterina, part of Sorbillo (Via Nilo, 26)
- Takeout burgers from Puok (Piazzetta Nilo, 9)
Largo Bianchi Nuovi and Piazza Orientale
For some interesting independent co*cktail bars, make your way to Largo Bianchi Nuovi. If you’re a rum lover, you can’t miss the fantastic bar Ex Salumeria. It’s a local distillery that offers spiced rum tastings with 7 different flavors, like honey or vanilla. The expert bartenders weave the house-made rum into custom co*cktails for clients.
Head along the same street to Piazza Orientale, a low-key and unpretentious piazza popular among students because of its proximity to the university. Make your way to Kestè (Via S. Giovanni Maggiore Pignatelli, 27), a popular spot that has a packed calendar of live music.
Vomero: Neapolitan-fusion pub culture
Vomero, the neighborhood perched on the hill overlooking the city, offers a unique pub culture that blends together British and Neapolitan culture. Three great picks for wide selections of beer on tap are Penny Black Pub (Via Enrico Alvino, 134 B), Frank Malone, and Bierkeller. This is definitely the best neighborhood to be in if you want to watch a football game—just remember to call ahead to book if SSC Napoli is playing!
Apart from the pubs in Vomero, the co*cktail bars don’t disappoint either.
Archivio Storico, a renowned co*cktail bar where skilled mixologists craft really special co*cktails. They often host musical guests in their upscale, speakeasy-style locale. For a more alternative vibe, visit Riot Laundry Bar, an eclectic spot that combines innovative co*cktails with a vintage clothing and record store.
Chiaia: Chic co*cktail vibes
The neighborhood of Chiaia has a cute but classy vibe, and is one of the most popular local nightlife places. There’s a tiny area mainly within Via Giuseppe Fiorelli, Via Bisignano, and Vico Belledonne that’s chock full of co*cktail and lounge bars. This part of Chiaia is so well-known that it even has a local name—i barretti di Chiaia. Standout co*cktail bars of the barretti are Barril Garden Bar (Via Giuseppe Fiorelli, 11) and Ba-Bar (Via Bisignano, 20).
Just outside of the barretti, L’Antiquario (Via Vannella Gaetani, 2) stands as one of the most popular spots for Naples nightlife, renowned for its exceptional co*cktails in the city. You get to the underground bar via a secret door in what seems to be an antique store. It has a retro feel based on old American speakeasies, but is quite popular so we recommend booking your table online ahead of time.
Beach clubs in Bagnoli and Pozzuoli: Party by the sea
Naples’ coastline is the perfect place for beachgoers seeking a blend of relaxation and nightlife. Bagnoli and Pozzuoli, just outside of the center of Naples and are home to beach clubs that turn into evening party spots, especially in the warmer months.
Some top spots to check out are Arenile and Wood Beach Club (Via Napoli, 14/B), which have a classic club feel with the advantage of being on a beach. The beach clubs are easily reachable by train, but you’ll have to call a taxi to get back since the trains stop running before late night.
Whether you’re seeking bars with live music, elegant co*cktails, or beachside revelry, Naples has got something for you. Naples nightlife is full of possibilities, and the city never disappoints, so the best idea is to pick a neighborhood, head out, and see where the night takes you. Salute!
Curious to delve deeper into the vibrant food and drink scene of Naples? Join us on our Naples Ultimate Food Tour to discover and savor some of the city’s most iconic dishes and drinks, ranging from coffee and baked goods to mouthwatering pizza, seafood, wines, and more!
