Retro Wine Bar

Retro Wine Bar is one of those rare places in Venice that feels completely untouched by trends. Small, intimate and wonderfully worn-in, it captures the everyday rhythm of Venetian life — quick glasses of wine, simple bites, and animated conversation packed into a space barely larger than the bar itself. Located near San Giacomo dell’Orio, Retro is unapologetically old-school. There’s no elaborate menu, no theatrical mixology and no attempt to reinvent anything. Instead, you’ll find a rotating selection of Italian wines served by the glass — from crisp whites to light, easy-drinking reds — poured generously and priced for locals rather than tourists. It’s the kind of place where you order another without thinking twice. Food comes in the form of cicchetti, Venice’s beloved small snacks. Expect classic offerings displayed along the bar: crostini topped with cured meats, cheeses, spreads and seasonal ingredients. Everything is straightforward, fresh and designed to be eaten standing up with a glass in hand. The focus is on flavour and balance, not presentation. The atmosphere is where Retro truly shines. With its narrow layout, aged wood, handwritten notes and shelves packed with bottles, the bar feels alive from the moment it opens. Locals drop in for a quick ombra after work, visitors squeeze in shoulder-to-shoulder, and conversations blend into a constant low hum. When the bar spills out onto the street, the experience becomes unmistakably Venetian — wine in hand, canal air, no rush. Retro Wine Bar isn’t about lingering luxury or curated experiences. It’s about authenticity, routine and shared space. You come here to feel part of the city rather than to observe it. Whether you stay for one glass or several, it offers a genuine snapshot of Venice as it still exists for those who live there. For anyone seeking a real bacaro experience — informal, lively and rooted in tradition — Retro remains a standout, proving that sometimes the best bars are the smallest and the most honest.