Bar San Calisto is the scruffy, beloved Trastevere institution where prices stayed in the past and everyone from pensioners to punks shares the piazza. Come for a €1.20 espresso, a cheap Peroni, or the famous chocolate gelato. Cash-friendly, no frills, open late Monday to Saturday.
Key facts
| Hours | Mon 06:00-02:00 Tue 06:00-02:00 Wed 06:00-02:00 Thu 06:00-02:00 Fri 06:00-02:00 Sat 06:00-02:00 Sun closed |
|---|---|
| Price | $ |
| Phone | — |
| Website | — |
| Nearest transit | Tram 8 to Trastevere/Mastai; buses H, 780 nearby |
| Time needed | 30-60 minutes |
| Best time to go | Late afternoon aperitivo or after 22:00 for the buzz |
| Last verified | July 15, 2026 |
Friend Score
7.1/10- Value9.2
- iconic7.5
- Freshness9.2
- excellence7.5
- Crowd level6.5
- Authenticity9.4
- Accessibility7.5
Frequently asked questions
- Do they take credit cards?
- It's an old-school cash-first place. Cards may work but bring euros to be safe, especially for a couple of coffees. Amounts are tiny, so cash is easiest anyway.
- How much is a coffee or beer?
- An espresso runs around €1.20 at the counter and beers are a few euros. This is one of the last genuinely cheap spots in central Rome, which is a big part of why locals love it.
- Can I sit outside without ordering much?
- Yes, and that's the whole point. Grab a drink for a couple of euros and you can linger on the piazza for ages. Nobody rushes you, but do order something rather than just occupying a table.
- Is Bar San Calisto touristy?
- It's on every Trastevere list now, so tourists have found it, but it hasn't sold out. Romans still fill the tables at all hours, and the prices and gruff service prove it never turned into a show. You get the real thing, just with a wider crowd.
- Is it open on Sunday?
- No, it's closed Sundays. It runs Monday through Saturday from early morning until 2am. If you want that late-night piazza scene, aim for a Friday or Saturday night.
- Is the bathroom situation okay?
- It's a classic Roman dive bathroom: functional, not fancy, sometimes a queue at night. Manage expectations and you'll be fine. Buy a drink first as a courtesy.
- What should I order?
- The chocolate is the signature: hot cioccolata in winter, dark chocolate gelato in summer, both cheap and genuinely good. Otherwise a caffè at the counter or a cold Peroni outside. Skip cocktails; this isn't a mixology bar.
- Is it good for families or late-night?
- Both, at different hours. Daytime it's calm and kid-friendly with gelato; after dark it fills with a loud, mixed, sometimes rowdy crowd. Read the room based on when you go.
Nearby in Ask Rome
- Trastevere & Santa Maria in Trastevere BasilicaAttraction0.04 km · 1 min walk
- TonnarelloRestaurant0.07 km · 1 min walk
- OtelloRestaurant0.14 km · 2 min walk
- OtalegCafé0.14 km · 2 min walk
- Jerry Thomas Bar RoomBar0.21 km · 3 min walk
Where to stay near Bar San Calisto
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