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    Freni e Frizioni

    4.0 (116 reviews)
    ModerateWine Bars, Pubs, Cocktail Bars
    Open • 6:30 pm - 2:00 am (Next day)

    Freni e Frizioni Photos

    FRENI E FRIZIONI ATMOSPHERE

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    Recommended Reviews - Freni e Frizioni

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    CRISTRAN PASSION
    Josue B.

    10/10 experience. Freni e Frizioni is an absolute must in Rome. I ordered the CRISTRAN PASSION made with Grey Goose vodka, St. Germain, strawberry, and passion fruit, and WOW. Hands down the best drink I had in Rome. Perfectly balanced, fruity, sexy, and just the right amount of sour. It was so good I had two, and honestly could've kept going. The vibe is amazing, the drinks are next level, and you can tell they really know what they're doing behind the bar. Lively atmosphere, great energy, and incredible cocktails. If you love craft cocktails, this place is non-negotiable Rating: 10/10

    Aperitivo for 2 euros.
    Vlad V.

    Intro: One of my friends recommended that I check out Freni e Frizioni for "aperitivo" (happy hour in Italy which is accompanied by snacks if you purchase an alcoholic beverage). Located in the Traverse neighborhood in Rome (my favorite part of Rome for dining and drinking), I made my way to see what all the hype was about. And there's quite a bit of hype as this bar has also made it to a list of the best bars in the world. They were pretty busy but I was seated promptly. Ambiance (4/5): With both seating outside and inside, they have an open-air concept and I was seated right in between. Trendy vibes with a somewhat industrial feel. My only complaint. Stool seating with no back support makes up the majority of seating at Freni e Frizioni which is never good for my back. Service (4.5/5): Better than average by European standards. My waiter was friendly and while I had to track him down a bit, it was better than your typical experience in Europe. Food (3/5): Freni e Frizioni is known for its aperitivo buffet which is something because, at most places in Italy, there isn't a buffet. Just some snacks that are brought to your table. You have an elaborate display here with bread, different dips, different types of pasta/couscous, chicken and rice, etc. The food is mediocre at best and you pay a two-euro surcharge, but it is all-you-can-eat. Drinks (4.5/5): I'm always a sucker for creative cocktails and you get just that here. Their menu had a list of 10 or so elaborate cocktails. I went with the kumquat margarita which comes with popping boba. The popping boba is served on a small spoon on top of an ice cube. Cool presentation. Popping boba is not something you typically see with a cocktail so that's always appreciated. And it was my first time having kumquat incorporated into a drink. Great cocktail all-around! Overall: While the aperitivo buffet didn't live up to the hype, the cocktails definitely did.

    Menu as of March 2025
    Michael B.

    This is an excellent example of what a cocktail bar should be. The inside is straight cool. It comes across as a punk leaning dive bar that happens to specialize in cocktails. The outside is a perfect patio to lounge with friends. Every cocktail is very well designed and crafted. There us usually a theme to the menu, and as of March 2025 that theme is tattoos. The menu showcases a lot of urban creativity in their taste. Even the classic cocktails are standouts. Those classics start at €10 each but your server can give specific prices. There's really nothing but a good time waiting for you here. You don't need a reservation as long as you aren't here late on a Friday or Saturday.

    Brownie Old Fashioneds
    Sean W.

    This bar is spectacular. The cocktails and the music put Freni e Frizioni in a class of its own. This isn't a pretentious, swanky cocktail bar, but the drinks would have you thinking otherwise. The brownie old fashioned is absolutely amazing. It's a sweet, rich chocolatey twist on a classic cocktail. They also served up a delicious whiskey sour in a coupe glass with egg white. This place is a must visit for anyone in the Trastevere neighborhood.

    Bar
    andy w.

    Edgy fun mixology joint. It's a top 50 bar in the world so it can get crowded. (No. 33 in 2022) Known for happy hour appetizer buffet they are highlighted regularly by travel influencer crowd. We had a Negroni (their take) and brownie old fashioned. Both were quite good. They are know for a aperitivo buffet. We don't try it but from our table there was a steady stream of patrons grazing on the food to complement their cocktails.

    Carena N.

    Top 100 bars in the world, with excellent drinks! This was recommended to us by the bar manager from Drink Kong, and it definitely did not disappoint. Their drinks are super affordable and they even serve you complimentary/free buffet styled vegetarian food! I highly recommend anyone that's visiting to make a visit here! I had the Crossing Over and it was great! I wish we had more time to spend here to have more of their drinks.

    View from my seat
    Amanda R.

    Stopped by for a drink and the aperitivo buffet. They were BUSY very soon after they opened. We got one of the last available tables. Service isn't great, it is obvious they are trying to run as many people through as quickly as possible. I did not enjoy my drink, but my husband enjoyed his. Food is fine. Wouldn't recommend unless you are solely looking for a cheap meal. There are definitely better options elsewhere.

    Front doors

    Gotta say this is the best bar I've been to in Rome. Mostly because the drinks are INCREDIBLE. I recommend ordering from their custom drink menu (which seems to change themes once in a while) I probably had about 6 of the Mexican Manhattans. They also offer a buffet for 2€ per person, which was a mix of cold salads: farro/feta, couscous, basmati, hummus, and some amazing fresh bruschetta, to name a few. It's just enough food to keep you drinking there, but doesn't fill you up so much that you skip dinner. Servers are all very friendly. Large patio with umbrellas and quite a lively place on the weekends with fun music. Located right next to the river in the heart of the Travestere neighborhood. Must visit here for awesome (and strong) drinks.

    Aperol spritz
    Helen Y.

    The BEST deal for apertivo in Rome! Food/Drink: I love their apertivo buffet selection. Even though the choices were all vegetarian, they were all super delicious. There are choices that ranged from carrots and celery with hummus, pasta salads, quinoa salads, rice dishes, etc etc. My personal favorite was the fruit salad which consisted of apples and pineapples coated with a layer of cinnamon sauce, sounds weird but it was impossible to stop eating it!! We also got the mint mojito and aperol spritz which are both the fan favorites and super good. Price: at 8 euros a drink this place is a steal for the amount of food you get. They also have a wide specialty cocktail selection that was around 12 euros per drink. Atmosphere: Very casual and lively! Google maps may be confusing since it will lead you down to a street when the actual restaurants is upstairs on a terrace of sorts. There is both indoor and outdoor seating but we chose to go with the crowd in the edge of the terrace, people watching as we went back for second servings. Tips: You need to ask servers to seat you at one of the tables (prices may also be different if you sit down) but you can also order at the bar and take it to the terrace!

    A toast with our cocktails!
    Aya S.

    If you're looking for a hip bar or a great place for aperitivo, then this place has you covered. I originally came here after doing a bit of research on the best affordable places to do aperitivo. For those who don't know what aperitivo is, it's when you order a drink and in turn have access to a buffet. The drinks here range in the 7-9 euro category (I went with 3 other people and most of our drinks were 8 euros). If it seems expensive to you after the conversion, just know these cocktails are no joke. The bartender literally crushes passion fruit into your drink. He wrapped my cocktail glass in a bamboo mat. Basically, they taste really good and look like what a fancy schmancy cocktail should look like. The food in question is also delicious. They have a lot to offer, are quick with platters that are on the verge of being emptied, and yes, a lot of it is vegetarian but you will find a few dishes with meat options as well. The downfall is the popularity. Even sitting outside can pose a problem if you're with a group because of the lack of space and sometimes you get stuck sitting near the bathroom. Try to come early or muster the courage to talk to a bunch of people who seem to exude YOLO vibes and just go with it.

    LOVE their cocktail menu!
    Dara M.

    A great spot for happy hour! In a really fun neighborhood (Trestavere) with lots of little bars and restaurants, Freni e Frizioni opens at 6:30 and offers aperitivo from 7:00-10:00 with a free buffet of appetizers and salads with purchase of a beverage. It was absolutely packed at 7:30 on a Tuesday. The bartenders are great--really knowledgeable and clearly take pride in their product. I love their menu, with looks like a comic strip or something. Lots of great cocktails to choose from. We tried the Kawasaki, Oscar White, and Cristian's Passion (made with a ton of fresh passion fruit) and they were all really well made. It seemed to be patronized primarily by tourists, but didn't feel touristy--a younger, hipper crowd. The buffet is mostly vegetarian, which suited me just fine. Nothing was standout delicious, but most everything was reasonably tasty. Waitresses are handsy--hang on to your plate/beverage if you're not finished or they'll whisk it away before you've realized what happened.

    The appetizer bar!!! Vegetarian and totally healthy and yummy!

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    Freni e Frizioni Reviews in Other Languages

    Review Highlights - Freni e Frizioni

    “I just love their unique cocktails, their hipster punk vibe, and their Aperitivo happy hour, which was three euros a plate.”

    Mentioned in 13 reviews

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    Vinoteca Novecento

    Vinoteca Novecento

    4.8(16 reviews)
    1.1 km•Centro Storico
    •€€€

    Easily my favorite place in Rome. It felt more local and charming ! We had 2 vegetarian pastas, the…read morestuffed ravioli and some sort of spaghetti that was recommended. (I think just oil, Parmesan and pepper). It was phenomenal !! We came in not very hungry and only wanting dessert.. we ended up of course eating pasta and it was our most favorite meal. The location is tucked away on a side street right in the heart of Rome. The owner was making his rounds and hanging out with the customers. It was raining out and only a few tables. We all had such a good time, the owner popped a champagne bottle and gave all of the customers a glass.

    Wanted to stop and sit down for a glass of wine or two before heading to dinner with a colleague,…read moreand we stumbled across this place. The place was pretty full outside so we mentioned we would wait for a table (it was a beautiful night) rather than sit indoors. They then quickly cleared a table and got us seats so we waited no more than a minute after mentioning that we wanted to be outside. The wait staff was personable and the wine selection is great. My colleague went with a (what he said) excellent glass of the Zenato Amarone red wine, the server also agreed that it was one of their best. I prefer white and am partial to the island of my boyfriend, Sardegna, so went with the Su'entu Vermentino, and it was exquisite. Throughout our respective two glasses there the staff kept bringing by small bites/crostini to try--they were all wonderful and so tasty--we both especially love the simple fresh tomato. All in all it was a simple yet enjoyable stop and I made sure to remember the name so that I can stop in again for a glass (or two!) on my next trip to Rome. Salute!

    Photos
    Vinoteca Novecento
    Vinoteca Novecento - Best wine bar off the beaten path! Amazing owner, beyond attentive! Made us feel like part of the family!

    Best wine bar off the beaten path! Amazing owner, beyond attentive! Made us feel like part of the family!

    Vinoteca Novecento

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    Ad Hoc

    Ad Hoc

    4.3(120 reviews)
    1.9 km•Flaminio
    •€€€€

    This was one of the upscale fine dining restaurants that we went to in Rome. As soon as I walked…read moreinto the restaurant, it had elegant decors with dim lighting and a quiet atmosphere with soft music playing in the background. We ordered sea bass fillet rolled in zucchini and honey mushrooms. Fish was tender, soft, and delicious with great seasoning. We also ordered Ravioli with white truffles and it was delicious as well. Ravioli tasted like it was freshly made and it tasted great with truffles. Lastly, we got tiramisu for dessert. This tiramisu was prepared by an artist. Just by looking at the dish, it was very pretty to look at. It was presented on a beautiful plate with thin chocolate cookie on top with sugar decoration and underneath was a creamy white tiramisu. I loved this dish because it was unique dessert with great sweet flavor and great presentation. The service was excellent. Everyone was friendly with great attitude and they are attentive. I think they liked the look on my face every time they brought out the dishes because their presentation was great. Whoever was the Chef that night, I would give him or her an award. This restaurant was unique just like Rome. Highly recommended!

    My husband and I arrived in Rome on a Thursday afternoon from Wisconsin, and our first dinner…read moreexperience was at Ristorante Ad Hoc. We opted for the Roman-style cuisine tasting menu with wine pairings. The service was warm and welcoming, and the ambiance was quiet and romantic. I appreciated the decor, especially the various wine bottles displayed throughout, and I also liked the dishes the food was served on. That said, this restaurant leaned a little too "foodie" for my taste. I also discovered that I really dislike truffles! My husband, on the other hand, enjoyed everything--including my leftovers. The wines were fantastic across the board. I also want to mention the pricing was shockingly affordable for what we got at dinner, which again, included the wine pairing. If you consider yourself a foodie and enjoy creative, thoughtfully prepared dishes, Ristorante Ad Hoc is worth a visit.

    Photos
    Ad Hoc - Inside the restaurant; it's up the stairs

    Inside the restaurant; it's up the stairs

    Ad Hoc - Appetizer

    Appetizer

    Ad Hoc

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    Pane e Salame

    Pane e Salame

    4.9(380 reviews)
    1.4 km•Centro Storico
    •€

    One of the best sandwiches I've ever had! Pro tip: go very hungry, as the sandwiches are huge, and…read moreskip the bruschetta; stick to the sandwiches, which is what they do best. We went to Pane e Salame for lunch and were shocked we were able to grab a table. This was in September, and I don't think that would've happened in the summer. It's right by the Trevi Fountain, so it's a chaotic and busy area, which made it even more of a pleasant surprise to eat inside. They also have lovely outdoor tables. The sandwiches were phenomenal. The bread was unlike anything I've had, toasted to perfection. I had a sandwich with tartare and smoked cheese, my husband had the roast beef one, and we split and traded halves. I honestly couldn't pick a favorite because both were so good. Paired with their house white, it was the perfect, if very heavy, lunch. We ended up walking four miles afterward just to make room for dinner. If you're not that hungry, splitting one sandwich is probably the smarter move. This is going to be our first stop when we go back to Rome.

    This place was so incredible, we went TWICE during our 3 day stay in Rome!…read more We had tried the other "super famous" Italian sandwich spot earlier in our trip and it did NOT deliver. Pane e Salame, however, was delicious!!!! On our first day in Rome, my husband and I decided to search for a lunch spot nearby (we were staying near the Trevi fountain), and I found this place had pretty good reviews. We got there about an hour after it opened and requested a seat outdoors. They have a tiny patio across from their entrance, but they fit quite a bit of people in it! We initially wanted to order two sandwiches to try more items, but I'm glad we just shared one - they were big and filling! We also had the small charcuterie board to share which was plenty of food for us both. We shared a bottle of rose, and all in all, we paid under $50 (usd) - what a steal! This was the perfect first meal in Rome. The food was incredibly fresh, the service was great, and the outdoor seating allowed us to experience the streets of Rome. 10/10 - would absolutely go back.

    Photos
    Pane e Salame
    Pane e Salame - Small mixed ham board

    Small mixed ham board

    Pane e Salame - Aperol Spritz

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    Aperol Spritz

    Gregory's Live Jazz & Dinner Club

    Gregory's Live Jazz & Dinner Club

    4.3(59 reviews)
    1.9 km•Centro Storico
    •€€

    A jazz club for American tourists…read more Okay, there was one Australian lady and a few Chinese. Everyone else was American. Prices are sky-high because this is a soak the tourist situation. Alexanderplatz which is the premiere jazz club in Rome charges $18 euros for a month membership - no cover after that - and $12 per drink. So once you have paid your monthly cover charge, you can hear all the jazz you want for free - or if need be for $12 euros a drink At Alexanderplatz, the performances are legendary with some of the most innovative and technically amazing musicians in Rome. We dropped over $150 euros at Gregory's. We got a perfectly reasonable yeoman guitarist. But nothing like the artistic lions that routinely perform over at Alexanderplatz. Now to be fair, we had dinner at Gregory's and we never eat at Alexanderplatz. The standard "sushi dinner" was perfectly reasonable yeoman sushi. There was so little of it that we both had to order a la carte dishes afterwards. The extra extras seriously expanded the final tab. * * * One argument in Gregory's favor: their bar is extraordinary. The bar at Alexanderplatz is mediocre. Gregory's charges top dollar for its bar offerings, but what they mix and what is in their bottles is worth every single euro they ask for. I would be perfectly happy to just go to the bar, and order a few premium beverages. I would hear my wallet cry. But I would know that I was drinking supremely well in return for my investment. Fortunately, the bar is downstairs from the club. I would not have to put up with the shenanigans in the club. * * * The problem with the club is the crowd. At most, one third of the customers are actually there to listen to jazz. The room is filled with tourists taking selfies. There are also hot-daters playing snuggle-buns. Many of them will leave mid-set so they can go back to the hotel. Gregory's is less about the music and more about selling happy memories of Rome. * * * Alexanderplatz gets a mostly Italian crowd. You are looking as musicians, music critics, academics, and all purpose artsy types - as well as normal Italian human beings who just want to hear fine music. The music is taken very very seriously. Yeah, there are usually two or three tables with good time Charlies who are doing the phone recording, party hearty thing. But this is 8% of the audience at Alexanderplatz as opposed to 70% of the audience at Gregory's. To be fair to the crowd at Gregory's, the music at Alexanderplatz is simply better. The jazz at Alexanderplatz is capable of transfixing even philistines with tin ears. Gregory's jazz doesn't put that much on the table. But the crowd at Alexanderplatz sets me up for listening to mystic, complex music with the highest level of attention and aesthetic receptiveness. The crowd at Gregory's just gets me irritated. * * * If you are in Rome with a hot date, go to Gregory's. Be prepared to shell out the bucks. * * * If you are in Rome with someone who can truly appreciate once-in-a-lifetime musical experiences, take them to Alexanderplatz. After you talk about the music for half an hour after the concert, You can still go back to the hotel. Just figure that the hotel will be the second best part of the night.

    Quite little jazz place in Rome! There is a cover fee, but definitely worth it. Drinks along with…read moresushi is such a random pair but worked pretty well. It is a vibe. You have to go upstairs to go see the jazz musicians. We got lucky that we didn't reserve for anything like that and we still got to see them.

    Photos
    Gregory's Live Jazz & Dinner Club
    Gregory's Live Jazz & Dinner Club
    Gregory's Live Jazz & Dinner Club - The jazz club

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    The jazz club

    Freni e Frizioni - wine_bars - Updated September 2026

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