Journal · Bars · Italy
The Negroni, the Sbagliato and Italy's great bars
Italy gave the world its two great bitter cocktails, and some of its best bars. A short history, and where to drink one properly in Florence, Milan and Rome.
Born in Florence
The Negroni is said to have been created in Florence around 1919, when Count Camillo Negroni asked for his Americano to be made stronger, with gin in place of soda water. Equal parts gin, Campari and sweet vermouth, an orange slice, nothing more.
The happy mistake of Milan
The Negroni Sbagliato, the “wrong” Negroni, comes from Bar Basso in Milan, where sparkling wine was poured in place of gin. It is still served there in enormous goblets.
Florence
- Locale Firenze · Florence
A bar inside a medieval palazzo, with vaulted rooms and an underground cellar. - Gucci Giardino 25 · Florence
The bar of the Gucci Garden building on the Piazza della Signoria, ranked 91st in The 50 Best Bars 2026.
Milan
- Moebius Milano · Milan
A bar, restaurant and record room in a former textile factory, ranked 2nd in The 50 Best Bars 2026 and the best bar in Europe on the list. - 1930 · Milan
A true secret bar: its address is shared only with guests. - Bar Basso · Milan
The bar where the Negroni Sbagliato was born, served in giant goblets. - Camparino in Galleria · Milan
The Campari family's bar at the entrance of the Galleria since 1915, with Art Nouveau mosaics and a view of the Duomo.
Rome
- Drink Kong · Rome
Patrick Pistolesi's neon-lit bar in Monti, ranked 92nd in The 50 Best Bars 2026. - Jerry Thomas Speakeasy · Rome
Rome's original speakeasy near the Chiesa Nuova, with a password and a strict code of conduct. - Stravinskij Bar · Rome
The bar of the Hotel de Russie, opening onto the terraced secret garden: Rome's classic aperitivo address. - Freni e Frizioni · Rome
A cocktail bar in a former car-repair garage above Piazza Trilussa, open since 2005 and one of the bars that shaped Rome's modern aperitivo.
