Freni e Frizioni

Freni e Frizioni, which translates as Brakes and Clutches, sits just back from the river on Via del Politeama, a few steps from Piazza Trilussa and Ponte Sisto at the eastern edge of Trastevere. The bar has been one of Trastevere's best-known meeting points for years, filling up from early evening as people gather for drinks before dinner.

The cocktail list mixes well-made classics with house creations, and there is also wine, beer and soft drinks. Aperitivo hour is the busiest time, when the crowd spills out from the bar onto the small piazza in front, glasses in hand. The atmosphere is relaxed and sociable rather than refined or quiet.

The bar opens every day until late, so it works both for an aperitivo before dinner in Trastevere and for a nightcap after eating in the neighbourhood. It is especially lively on Friday and Saturday evenings and in the warmer months, when the area around Piazza Trilussa becomes one of the city's main gathering places for young Romans and visitors. If you want a seat, arrive early in the evening; later on, most people stand.

It suits groups of friends, couples and solo travellers looking for company, and it is a good introduction to the Roman habit of the evening aperitivo. Prices are moderate for the area. There is no formal booking system, so simply turn up. Keep an eye on your belongings when the crowds are thick. The bar also has an online shop, and enquiries can be sent by email to [email protected] or made by phone on +39 06 4549 7499.

The easiest way to arrive is on foot across Ponte Sisto from the Campo de' Fiori side, a walk of a few minutes, or by tram 8 to Belli on Viale di Trastevere. From here, the lanes of Trastevere lead to dozens of trattorias for dinner, including Glass Hostaria on Vicolo del Cinque, and the steps of the fountain in Piazza Trilussa are a popular place to sit with a drink on summer nights. Campo de' Fiori's bars are also only a short walk away across the river.