Rome’s Pubs

Wandering new cities can certainly make even the most enthusiastic travellers feel weary and homesick – but there’s nothing like a good old-fashioned pub with friendly folks and greasy burgers to make you feel at home! If you’re aching for a dimly lit locale to watch sports and enjoy a cold brew, then you might be keen on dropping into one of these international pubs. While they attract a wide variety of clientele, from the travelled connoisseurs to the young college party crowd, the guests all have one thing in common: they like to keep it casual! Aside from a general absence of windows, dark wooden interiors, and an abundance of beer taps and TV screens, each has unique features ranging from bar games, quiz nights, karaoke, open mic sessions, live music, and more. Here are the most popular pubs in the Eternal City – which one will you choose?

Scholar’s Lounge Irish Pub

Via del Plebescito 101b, Open Daily 11am–3:30am

Scholar’s is one of Rome’s most popular pubs as it’s smack dab in the city center, steps away from Piazza Venezia. Locals and tourists pop in throughout the day for food and sport, while a vibrant crowd parties here ‘til the wee hours of the morning. Their Karaoke Nights (on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays) are always fun and live music on Thursdays and Fridays is also a big hit! Mondays start the week off on a lighter note with a competitive Pub Quiz.

Abbey Theatre Irish Pub

Via del Governo Vecchio 51, Open Daily 12pm–2am

Not far from Piazza Navona, this late-night pub offers intimate nooks and corners, live TV sport, and friendly vibes. The kitchen is open all day, serving delicious bar food (try their nachos!). They host live Irish music every Friday and Open Mic Nights on Thursdays. Student Specials make it especially popular with the college crowds!

Trinity College Irish Pub

Via del Collegio Romano 6, Open Daily: 12 pm – 3 am

Another super central pub tucked away near Via del Corso, Trinity College Irish Pub fills up with enthusiastic crowds for sporting events and nightly DJ sets. They’ve got great Happy Hour specials and delicious bar food. The kitchen is open from 12 pm – 1:30 am every day and offers a special weekend brunch on Saturdays and Sundays from 12 pm – 4 pm.

Finnegan Irish Pub

Via Leonina 66, Open Daily: 1 pm – 12:30 am

Not far from the Colosseum, the Monti district hosts a vibrant nightlife with a young and energetic crowd – and a standout in the area is Finnegan’s: the ONLY Irish-owned pub in Rome! ALL English, Scottish, and Irish football matches are aired here while the friendly staff hosts bar games and quiz nights and an international mix of guests spills out into the charming cobblestone streets.

The Albert British Pub

Via del Traforo 132, Open Daily: 5 pm – 1 am

A quaint, family-run take on Rome’s pub scene, this British locale is cosy as can be. The friendly staff will make you feel right at home here, where you can enjoy a cold drink, watch some sport, or even play a game of pool!

The Drunken Ship American Pub

Piazza Campo de’ Fiori 20, Open Daily: 3 pm – 2 am

Piazza Campo de’ Fiori is a lively area at any time of day and, after dark, the neighbouring college students and night owls make their way here for drinks and fun. The Drunken Ship has cheap drinks, themed parties (check Facebook for events), beer pong competitions, and frequent DJ sets – so it’s always a good place to party!

The Public House

Via delle Tre Cannelle 8, Open Daily: 12 pm – 2 am

As any pub should be, this is a prime spot for watching sports, enjoying drinks, and eating delicious bar food – but this spot goes above and beyond with excellent service and fantastic cocktails, too! In fact, it doubles as a bit of a nightclub with frequent live music and DJ Sets and is a very popular hangout and burger joint with the locals.

The Highlander Scottish Pub

Vicolo di S. Biagio 9, Open Daily 4 pm – 2 am

Aside from occasional bar games and casual events, this place focuses on good drinks for fair prices and SPORTS, SPORTS, SPORTS! If you’re not keen on being crowded by rowdy college kids, this pub may be better suited than some of the others on our list. It’s a laidback atmosphere – very popular with locals, expats, and tourists alike!

The Fiddler’s Elbow Irish Pub

Via dell’Olmata 43, Open Daily: 5 pm – 2 am

Italy’s “First Irish Pub”, established way back in 1976, is located in the lively neighbourhood of Monti. The long-standing Irish pub airs a wide variety of sporting events and frequently adds live music and Open Mic Nights to its calendar.