Il Mercante

Il Mercante is one of the leading cocktail bars in Venice and a good choice for anyone who wants something more inventive than a spritz. It sits in the historic heart of San Polo, directly facing the Basilica dei Frari, in a part of the city that stays lively in the evenings.

The bar describes its approach as a journey to discover flavours through a new take on cocktails. The team experiments with unusual flavour combinations and prepares fresh homemade bases, syrups and infusions, and it works to reduce waste by reusing ingredients wherever possible. The bartenders can recommend a drink to suit your taste, so it is worth telling them what you usually enjoy.

The setting is relaxed rather than formal, with the brick facade of the Frari just across the square. It is a pleasant place for an aperitivo before dinner in San Polo or for a nightcap later in the evening. Check opening times and booking options directly with the bar, as they can change with the season; booking is sensible for groups and at weekends.

Il Mercante suits couples, friends and cocktail enthusiasts, and it is a good alternative to the hotel bars around St Mark's, both in atmosphere and price. Expect to pay cocktail-bar prices, which are higher than in a traditional bacaro but well below the grand hotels. Allow an hour or so for a couple of drinks.

The bar is a few minutes' walk from the San Tomà vaporetto stop on Line 1. The Scuola Grande di San Rocco and Campo San Polo are close by, and Campo Santa Margherita, with its student bars, is about ten minutes' walk away, so it is easy to combine with a wider evening out on this side of the Grand Canal. Dinner options nearby range from simple bacari to sit-down trattorie.

A good plan is to visit the Frari or the Scuola Grande di San Rocco in the late afternoon and then cross the square for a drink as the light fades. The bar's position also makes it a convenient meeting point, as the Frari is easy to find even in the maze of San Polo.

If you are new to craft cocktails, tell the bartenders which spirits and flavours you usually like, and let them steer you towards something from the current list. Drinks are made with care, so service can take a little longer at busy times, which is part of the experience rather than a fault.