The city that never sleeps, the party that never ends
Roma-Movida

By Alessandro Mirra
february 2009

There are clubs where you might easily glimpse A-list celebs sipping cocktails that would cost a week’s wages but even the more upmarket glam and glitzy joints (with door policy to match) frequently offer evenings when entrance is free. You don’t need loads of money or designer clothes and you too can strut your stuff with the golden boys and girls who turned up in their father’s Ferrari.

Here are just a few of Rome’s hottest nightspots:

Piper Club is one of the most famous clubs in Rome

Piper Club (Via Tagliamento 9)one of the most famous clubs in town, the temple of 'swinging Rome' since the 60's. A classic among Roman discos, this huge subterranean Saturday Night Fever-style venue opened in 1965 and has been IN ever since. The club opened in 1965 slap-bang in the middle of Italy’s economic boom and became the first modern disco of its kind in Italy. Originally it was a live music venue and launched many Italian pop stars of the '60s, but it also featured internationally renowned names like David Bowie, The Who and Pink Floyd. Now remodeled with state-of-the-art sound and lights, it targets its appeal to a casual, mixed-age and modern crowd. Depending on the day of the week you’ll hear underground and house music, as well as rock and disco music from the 1970s. Piper is still going strong.

Cabala is on the third floor of a beautiful 15th-century palazzo

Although Piper is the classic Roman nightspot, there are many places that are trendier. None more so than Cabala (Via dei Soldati 25). On the third floor of a beautiful 15th-century palazzo that's also home to the Osteria dell'Orso restaurant of super-chef Gualtiero Marchese and a ground-floor piano bar, Cabala is one of the favourite haunts of Rome's well-heeled, it is luxuriously furnished and has a strict dress policy. The music is mostly house with some chart hits thrown in – but the place rocks and the view over the Tiber is spectacular. This tiny club is uncomfortably packed on weekends, although being a professional soccer player or a model will help you get past the doorman. Probably best to try mid-week. Entrance is usually free but you must buy at least one drink: prices from 15 euros. (Closed Sunday and Monday).

Art Cafe is far bigger and just as trendy, probably Rome’s hottest disco at the moment. It’s also underground: located at via del Galoppatoio 33 in the Villa Borghese Car Park. Finding the place is not easy and getting in can be even more difficult. Dress code is fashionably chic, door cover expensive. This is where all Rome’s gorgeous young things meet and greet. Even on the special evenings when entrance is free you need to be on the guest list – and prepared to wait in a long line. The music at Art Cafe rocks, and you’ll find a variety of styles – house, dance, revival – in several rooms.

Away from the historic centre, we must give a mention to Goa (Via Libetta 13 – Ostiense). This etnically-inspired club was opened around 10 years ago by star Djs Giancarlino and Claudio Coccoluto. The decor is always up to the minute and so is the music. The club regularly features top-line international names behind the console and one memorable night a certain Bono got down to it on the dancefloor. Music ranges from Jungle to Minimal to Tribal to House. Goa is far less chichi chic than Cabala and Art Cafe. Perhaps the Rome disco club with the best international reputation.

Qube (via Portonaccio 212). Is the capital’s biggest underground disco. Friday night the club hosts the Muccassassina – at one time Rome's most famous and transgressive gay event. Originally a fund-raising evening to support gay rights organisations, Muccassassina attracts gay, lesbian, transgender and straight dancers. This hugely successful club spreads over three floors, including the second-floor chill-out room with sofas and pool tables. Music is House, Black and some commercial. Entrance fee for non-members is 15 euros.