Bar
The Jerry Thomas Project
Opened in 2010 by a group of bartenders, this hidden speakeasy off Corso Vittorio Emanuele revives forgotten styles of mixing classic cocktails.
Drink Kong
A celebrated cocktail bar in Monti that features on the World's 50 Best Bars list, open nightly with creative drinks and a smart casual dress code.
At a glance
- Type
- Cocktail bar
- Area
- Monti, Rome, Italy
- Price
- $$$ · Upscale
- Opening
- Open daily · 18:30–02:00
- Official site
- drinkkong.com
Good to know
- Online booking
- Smart casual dress code
- 18+
- Food menu
Why we recommend it
Drink Kong occupies a corner of Piazza di San Martino ai Monti, a quiet square in the upper part of Monti, a short walk from the basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. Since opening it has become one of the most talked-about cocktail bars in Italy and has featured on The World's 50 Best Bars list, drawing both locals and visitors who plan their evening around a table here.
The setting is moody and atmospheric, quite different from the classic Roman bar. The cocktail menu is built on original creations, often using unusual ingredients and techniques, alongside well-made classics, and there are also wine and spirits lists and a food menu, so you can eat while you drink. Staff are happy to guide you through the menu if you are unsure where to start.
Drink Kong opens every day from 18:30 to 2:00, with last orders at 1:30. Reservations are taken online through the bar's website for groups of up to six people, but not after midnight, so if you arrive late expect to queue for a table. Guests must be 18 or over, and the dress code is smart casual, so leave beachwear and sports clothes at the hotel. The phone line, +39 06 2348 8666, is answered daily from 17:30 to 22:00, and reservation issues can be emailed to the dedicated reservations address.
It suits couples, small groups of friends and anyone with a serious interest in cocktails, rather than large parties looking for a cheap night out. Prices are in line with top cocktail bars in European capitals. Booking for an early slot is the best way to secure a table, especially at weekends, and a late visit after dinner is when the atmosphere is liveliest. A second venue, Drink Kong Campo Marzio, has its own booking page.
The bar is at Piazza di San Martino ai Monti 8, around five minutes' walk from Vittorio Emanuele station on Metro Line A and ten minutes from Cavour on Line B. Termini station is within a 15-minute walk. Monti's lanes are full of trattorias and wine bars for dinner beforehand, and the basilica of San Pietro in Vincoli, with Michelangelo's Moses, is close by for a daytime visit.
Drink Kong FAQs
Can I book a table at Drink Kong?
Yes, online, for up to six people; no reservations are taken after midnight.
What are the opening hours?
Every day from 18:30 to 2:00, with last orders at 1:30.
Is there a dress code?
Yes, smart casual.
Is there a minimum age?
Yes, guests must be 18 or over.
Does it serve food?
Yes, there is a food menu alongside the cocktail, wine and spirits lists.
How can I contact the bar?
Phone +39 06 2348 8666, answered daily from 17:30 to 22:00, or email [email protected].
What is the nearest metro station?
Vittorio Emanuele on Line A, about five minutes' walk away.
Is there a second venue?
Yes, Drink Kong Campo Marzio, which has its own booking page.