Schmap Venice Art & Entertainment

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Venice - Art & Entertainment
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Venice Home
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Venice is quite a sleepy city, especially when you compare it to other major cities of the world. There are several reasons for this. The first is the high average age of its citizens--probably the highest in Italy. The second is the relative difficulty there is to get around. This is not a place for cars and other private means of transport, and a boat ride is not really ideal for an evening out. Finally, there is a lack of space in Venice, so everything is very cramped.

In short, you will search in vain for nocturnal activities. There simply isn't anything to do. However, if you really can't do without nightlife, you can drive to Piazzale Roma (a true Venetian would need a very good justification for doing so) and then on to Jesolo.

Besides, by nature Venetians do things differently. They enjoy entertaining friends in the privacy of their own homes. As a consequence, there are very few restaurants which stay open until late - to the point where going for something to eat after the cinema would be a major feat. It is only relatively recently that some restaurants with live music have reopened: Il Paradiso perduto, in the Misericordia district, is noted for its ambience and its endless disputes with local residents.

Campo Santa Margherita

Campo Santa Margherita in the summer is an exception to this rule. The presence of hundreds of students on their summer holidays transforms the square into a pleasure pavilion, with restaurants, live music and extemporaneous art exhibitions. Amongst the most popular are those at Du Champ, the Caffe Rosso and Ai Sportivi. Another exception is during the Carnival. In September, Campo San Polo houses an open-air cinema, where you can sit under the stars and watch films which have only just been released at the Biennale Cinema.

The opening seasons of the Goldoni Thestre, and the operatic-symphonic Fenice Theatre (until September at Palafenice in Tronchetto, but repeated for a little longer in the historic centre of renovated Malibran) attempt to shift the winter-blues. For those who like a gamble, there are two Casinos in the city and Mestre.

Lido

Finally, there is the Lido - an island that makes this waterlogged city go bathing-mad. But even here, whether you like it or not, the emphasis is on Mann, rather than Maracaibo. The beach is extremely beautiful, but where it is most beautiful, it is also very expensive. Where the sand runs out, towards the Murazzi islands, the water is dirty and there are breakwaters, with not so much as a stick of celery to take shelter beneath.

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Al Sportivi

Bar and Restaurant

Campo Santa Margherita, Dorsoduro, 3052
Venice 30122
Italy
+39 41 521 1598

If you like crowds this is the bar for you. It can be found in the thriving Campo Santa Margherita, which is full of people and noise during lunch and dinnertime. In this bar you can have a drink, or have a snack to fill up for the rest of the day. It is quite cheap compared with average Venetian prices so top up that drink. It is quite big by Venetian standards and is usually filled with students and tourists. It is a nice place to come for lunch or to drink an aperitif. The service is good. As well as the snacks, which you can eat with your aperitif, such as, grilled vegetables, sandwiches, squid, octopus salad etc., you can also choose from various pizzas and spaghetti dishes. There is a good range of local wines, and beer.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: wcities

Caffè Rosso

Beer, Wine And Brioche Campo S. Margherita, Dorsoduro, 2963
Venice 30122
Italy
+39 41 528 7998 This is one of the many bars in Campo Santa Margherita, right in the heart of the university area and within walking distance of Ca' Foscari and Ca' Rezzonico. Particularly popular with the student crowds, tables are lined up outside in summer when the bar is open all day. The bar meals on offer include a good selection of panini, sandwiches and cicchetti (snacks), to enjoy with your ombra (glass of wine) or your beer. There is a good selection of wines, especially local varieties. If you prefer, there is coffee, brioche and cake.Crowded with students, tables outdoors during the summer months; open every day, offers games; at sunset, a lovely spot to spend a Venetian evening (especially in summer) when students are on holiday; however, that is when the tourists arrive. Speedy service: sandwiches, cicchetti to accompany a glass of wine or beer. Very good selection of sandwiches, for every taste; don't miss out on the wines, particularly local brands. Also offers coffee, brioche and desserts.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Tina Taul

Casinò di Venezia

Three Different Venues Ca' Vendramin Calergi, Strada Nova
Lungomare Marconi, 30126 Lido di Venezia
Venice 30131
Italy
+39 41 529 7111
http://www.casinovenezia.it/ Like Sanremo, Campione and Saint Vincent, Venice too has a casino, three in fact. First, there is the summer venue at the Lido (Lungomare Guglielmo Marconi), next to the Palazzo del Cinema. The luxury of the decoration inside will make up for unpleasant exterior, you'll be pleased that you stepped inside. The winter venue is in Ca' Vendramin Calergi, on Strada Nova and is a building made otherwise famous by the death of Wagner. Finally, there is the third casino in Ca' Noghera, close to Marco Polo airport, which is similar to the Las Vegas style, catering for the fanatic lovers of slot machines and similar games. The two classic venues house roulette tables, chemin de fer, trente et quarante, fair roulette, black jack, and video poker. The casinos are open every day (except 24 and 25 December), the slot machines open at 3p and the gaming tables at 3:30p, they close at 2:20a or 3a.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Il Paradiso perduto

Venetian Tavern Fondamenta della Misericordia, Cannaregio 2640
Venice 30123
Italy
+39 41 72 0581 A typical Venetian tavern, with wooden tables and chairs, the Il Paradiso perduto is a casual place that sells filled rolls, light snacks and good wine. Opens earlier for lunch on the weekend. It's an ideal spot for a nighttime drink if you want to get out. The owners organize contemporary art exhibitions, shows, live jazz and piano music. The clientèle changes according to the event. The cuisine is regional with cold food in the daytime and some cooked dishes in the evenings.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Jennifer Troyer

Malibran

Venetian Style Cannaregio, 5864
Venice 30131
Italy
+39 41 522 8028 This hotel is located in a convenient position, near the main sights. Its rooms are quaint and colorfully decorated in Venetian style, with a range of comforts. It also has a casual restaurant, which serves traditional Mediterranean and regional food. Breakfast is included and served from 8a-10a.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Margaret Duchamp

Bar With Games Campo S. Margherita, Dorsoduro, 3019
Venice 30122
Italy
+39 41 528 6255 In the heart of the university district, just a couple blocks from Ca' Foscari is Margaret Duchamp. The piazza is extremely animated, thanks to the numerous bars and cafes, along with the market and its natural beauty that makes it so lively. This bar is named not after the artist, but the square on which it stands. The atmosphere is lively and people often spend hours drinking here and chatting. In summer they have tables and chairs on the square and they organize party games. There is a large selection of filled sandwiches on white bread (tramezzini) and excellent beer, including some rare brews. Food service is fast and offers a large selection of sandwiches. There is an ample choice of beers, including rare labels for beer enthusiasts.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Margaret Duchamp photo by wcities
Photo: wcities

Teatro Goldoni

Real Theatre S. Marco, 4650/B
Venice 30124
Italy
+39 41 520 5422/ +39 41 240 2011 A classic theatre, having been renovated multiple times over the decades, is a spot frequented by locals. Named after the 18th-century dramatist Carlo Goldoni, the Teatro Goldoni has seating for 800 and holds performances of all kinds. Concerts are sometimes held here thanks to the marvelous architecture, creating a great sound.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Elise Robinson

Teatro La Fenice

The Malibran Isola Nuova del Tronchetto
Venice 30131
Italy
+39 41 78 6511 The Palafenice has the formidable task of replacing one of the theatres with the best acoustics in the world. There are continuous improvements for the comfort of the public and for the acoustics so as to create, as much as possible, a real concert hall. Its only flaw, for which there is no solution is its external noise, which is so great that you can even hear bus drivers' shouts from a nearby bus stop. There is a shuttle service from Piazzale Roma and Mestre at the beginning and end of each show.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Venice Biennale

Cinema, Art, Architecture 1364 Calle Giustinian
Venice 30124
Italy
The Biennale organization, which is based in Ca' Giustinian, organizes a series of events throughout the year. The most well known of these are: the Mostra del Cinema (between August and September every year), the Biennale Theatre Festival which arranges annual shows and workshops and the Biennale Dance Festival.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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