by The Amalfi Coast has everything for evening fun, from classic cocktails served by white-jacketed waiters, to casual seaside spots where you can go from sunbathing to sunset Campari spritzes in one day. You can even go all out at a club in a cave with a glass dancefloor, so you can dance the night away on top of the crashing waves.
For more inspiration on the Amalfi Coast, check out our guides to the city’s best hotels, restaurants and things to do.
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Positano and surroundings
Bar Piccolo
It could be argued that there is nowhere else in the world as glamorous to sip a cocktail as the famous Piazzetta Capri, a picturesque, open-air living room on a small square filled with tables of the four rival bars to vie for customization. The Piccolo is the oldest of the four and a favorite with the locals, so bag a table, order a Campari from one of the white-jacketed waiters and settle down to watch the world go by; Everyone passes through this prominent square at some point, and the fashion parade is unparalleled. Address: Piazza Umberto 1, Capri
Contact: piccolobarcapri.com
Prices: ££
Music on the rocks
With the recent demise of the historic club L’Africana in Praiano, Music on the Rocks (located on the east side of Spiaggia Grande Positano) is Costiera’s only real club. Opened in 1972 and occupying a huge sea cave carved out of the rock beneath an ancient tower (accessible from the beach), the dance floor – where resident DJs and international guests spin the sounds of mainstream house and disco – right on the water. There are two restaurants; Rada serves posh food on an upper terrace with stunning water views while Beach Bistrot is more casual on the sand. And if you want to cool off after dinner, the rooftop Flybar offers live jazz and other laid-back sounds.
Contact: ceolontherocks.it; radapositano.it
Prices: out of season, entrance is free; in high season ££ including drink
Bar Franco
Franco’s is a chic, intimate al fresco addition to the coastal cocktail scene that harkens back to ‘when bars were bars’. Seasonal mixer Mattia Pastori’s signature cocktails include Fizz Franco (citrus combination of bergamot, lemonade, local Amalfi lemon juice and almond milk), but there are also the classics (Hemingway Daiquiri, Moscow Mule, Old Fashioned et al) plus excellent. spirits and bubbly. Apart from some gourmet nibbles, there is no food available to distract from the spectacular view or the quality of the drinks, although the sleek design may catch the eye: the pearl white floor in hand-fired tiles, the custom-made chairs and tables tubular steel, the blue and white striped Murano tumblers and a bright yellow Giuseppe Ducrot ceramic fountain.
Contact: francosbar.com
Prices: ££
Aldo’s at Le Sirenuse hotel
Named after Aldo Sersale (one of the founders of the Sirenuse hotel and the late uncle of the current owner), Aldo’s represents casual costiera chic. This beautiful terrace overlooks the pastel-hued houses that are Positano and out to the sea and from early evening it regularly fills with beautiful people. On warm summer evenings it is a magical place for a casual dinner of oysters and caviar, sea bass tartare, veal Milanese or even a simple caprese insalata, but the secret is to stay late over after-dinner drinks and the cool temperature, the twinkling. lights and the sky turns inky blue. Note that you can reserve a table for dinner, but tables for drinks are on a first come, first served basis.
Contact: sirenuse.it
Prices: £££
Praiano to Amalfi
Multi Pirate
Accessed via a narrow cliff path from Marina di Praia, this is one of those multi-functional places that doubles as a beach club, restaurant and cocktail bar. You can work on your tan during the day (sunbathing platforms built into the rocks), nibble on a salad for lunch and later order a Campari spritz from the cocktail bar carved into the sheer rock face. With tables set right over the lapping water and regular live music sessions, it’s a cool evening hangout, and if you want to make a night of it, the restaurant’s menu offers the likes of pasta with sea urchins (a local delicacy) and calamari. fritti.
Contact: ristoranteilpirata.net
Prices: ££
Café Mirante
If you take the long stepped path to Gavitella beach from the main street of Praiano, on the way down you pass the tiny Café Mirante, an under-the-radar coffee and aperitivo bar with a menu of delicious snacks located on the hillside with some of the best views on the coast. Although there is not much space on the small terrace, it is a magical place at sunset; try bagging an oceanfront table, slip on the shades, order a Campari Spritz or Lemon Zest (the house specialty with a strong chilli kick) and enjoy the laid-back background sounds as you watch the sun set go down along the length of the Sorrentine peninsula and faraglioni Capri.
Contact: 00 39 3661718593; facebook.com/cafemirante.praiano
Opening times: May-October, daily, 9.30am-10pm
Prices: £
One fire
Gavitella beach (accessible down 400 steps from Piazza San Gennaro in Praiano) is just about the only spot on this stretch of coast where the sun rises to sunset, so it’s a place it’s great for an aperitivo and has great views of the coast. coast all the way to Capri. One Fire is a cool little bar with a laid back, casual vibe and great ice cold beer, good cocktails and a fun soundtrack. It also serves as a lido with sunbeds and umbrellas for hire, so you can make a day of it. If you can’t face the steps back up, there is a boat service to Positano.
Address: Gavitella harbor, Praiano
Contact: 00 39 338 3508555, Facebook
Opening: Every day 10am-7.30pm
Prices: £
How we choose
Every bar, venue or experience on this curated list has been tried and tested by our destination expert, who has visited to provide you with their insider perspective. We cover a range of budgets and styles, from casual pubs to exquisite cocktail bars – to best suit every type of traveler – and consider service, drinks, atmosphere and price in our recommendations. We update this list regularly to keep up with the latest openings and provide up-to-date recommendations.
