barnum cafe {cocktails in rome}

It’s always fun meeting girlfriends for a cocktail. The problem is that in Rome, the meeting up and gossiping is usually better than the cocktail part of the equation. We usually have to make do with a glass of wine or prosecco. In most bars in Rome if you venture far from Negroni territory, you are risking disappointment. Cocktails – true, well crafted traditional ones, made from high quality spirits – are still a rarity in Rome. (My friend Sienna still talks about ordering a gin martini and the waitress coming back with a shot of gin and a shot of Martini and Rosso red vermouth. )

Which is why I was so happy to discover Barnum Cafe the other night. The girly part of things took care of itself, but we were all very happy to shove aside our purses, sunglasses and cellphones  to make room on the table for the excellent and perfect cocktails we all ordered up.

The comfortably funky and cozy bar is located just steps away from the more touristy Campo de’ Fiori night scene. But instead of harking fruit flavored shots to junior year abroad students, Barnums is well stocked with high quality ingredients and bartenders who know how to mix them.

My Margarita was just right, not overly sweet and not at all too watery (a common occurrence in Rome). Gillian’s Gin and Tonic was muddled , then garnished, with cucumber, and she has her pick of gins to choose from. Annie’s Martini came crisp, cold and very elegantly served on a tiny tray, complete with a little dish for the pits of the plump green olives. Arlene of course went for something with St. Germain in it. I can’t find my notes  so I don’t remember what else was in it. (I’m just kidding I didn’t take notes) It was pretty though, and I loved the cut crystal rocks glass, which actually would put any bar on my come-back list.

I loved the setting as much as the drinks. Mismatched chairs, comfy couches and a large carpenter’s work bench in the back makes the place feel low key and unpretentious. People with dogs, moms with babies and just a mishmash of folks hanging out, having fun and drinking.

The place is large enough that you can usually find a table if you get there early enough. Which also means you have time to order two rounds of drinks before cocktail hour slips into dinner time.

Barnum Cafe
Via del Pellegrino 87
+39 06 64760483

The cafe is open all day long, has free wifi and also serves food.