Me and Mrs Showbizguru are going to Venice next week to walk the sights without the hordes of tourists.
We both like to do our sight-seeing based around pub crawls and I wonder if anyone has any suggestions.

Please, not Harry's Bar or any other authentic tourists hotspot, but somewhere down the back-streets and side-alleys where only the more adventurous tourists might explore.

Old, local and non rip-off are our usual favourites.

Many thanks.

You might want to check out these folks: http://www.theveniceexperience.com/

This is run by a couple from Baltimore who moved to Venice. You will have to pay for them to guide you around, but if you get more people you can split the costs.

Or, if you want to go it alone, check out Rick Steves web site for suggestions: http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/desti...y/nlpubven.htm

We didn't spend enough time in Venice to do this, but maybe next time. Enjoy and report back on your experience.

Looks like it is raining there right now. You will want to check a weather forecast before going. Flooding is not unusual this time of year. Tall boots, umbrellas, etc. are a good idea.

Not trying to rain on your parade. I've been there in the winter (complete with flooding) and still totally enjoyed it. Just be prepared.

Romelle

Thanks for the advice.
I live in Ireland so rain and - in the past year - severe flooding is not unusual.
I like Venice in the winter as there are far fewer tourists and the smell isn't as bad ( not from the tourists you understand ! )

Mrs. MW_2000 and I also like to base our sightseeing around pub crawls if at all possible. When we were in Venice a couple of years back we really liked Enoteca Schiavi in the Dorsoduro neighborhood, just a little south of Accademia bridge.

http://maps.google.com/maps/place?ci...16482963566229

In Venice, it is pretty easy to find local establishments; simply venture away from the area around San Marco, around Rialto, and do not bother with the options suggested by Rick Steves

I'll caveat my comments by saying I've never been to Venice. However, I lived for three years in Sicily and have spent quite a bit of time in Catania, Palermo, Naples, Rome, and Florence.

If by "pubs" you mean a typical American/British/Irish type of place, I think you'll find them few and far between. Italian style "bars" - unless you visit hotel bars - are more of the family coffee/pastry shop type of places that also sell beer and wine. You may find the occasional Irish pub or a disco but the atmosphere of a pub crawl in Italy is going to be much different than that to which you are accustomed.

Enjoy your trip!

Actually in this respect Venice is different than the Italian cities you've visited. Agreed the only '"pubs" are would-be Irish (i.e., in Venice, the Fiddlers Elbow - just off the Strada Nova) that cater to foreign visitor. However, there are lots of wine bars scattered throughout Venice and in function/atmosphere they are quite similar to their UK counterparts.
As for crawls, they're pretty common in the summer - esp. since bars are now allowed to serve using plastic cups so that visitors can 'take a traveler"

To the OP: you will be looking for "bacari" - when you visit a monument, or buy a post card, simply ask the person working at the establishment which bacari near by they go to - and you'll be on your way.

Thanks for that - simply Googling bacari produced an ideal wine bar crawl suggested by a Venice hotel.
Perfectamundo.

Excellent information and why I love FT! Thanks for that. ^

The Cantina do Mori is a great choice. http://travel.nytimes.com/travel/gui...nt-detail.html

Yes, Do Mori has traditionally been cited as the ideal "locals" Venice bar; however, it changed owners a few years ago and has become a tad "corporate" in character

Well,I've come up with a list of bars and restaurants which various people/websites have mentioned.
Any advice on which to avoid from anyone with knowledge of them
would be appreciated.

Bars
Bacaro Jazz, San Marco 556,
Al Pesador San Polo 125-6,
Campo San Giacomo di Rialto
Margaret Duchamp
Campo Santa Margherita Dorsoduro
Franco's
Enoteca Schiavi
Cantina Do Mori ( info in previous post noted )

Restaurants
All'Antico Pallone
Ristorante Alle Becchiere
Al Mascaron Osteria

I've been there both pre and post change (my inlaws live right around the corner) and I can say it is still excellent.

Good bar choices .. For restaurants, you might consider the following.
Its a bit difficult to give directions, etc.. b/c of course Venice doesn't have street addresses, there are six districts and every building in a given district has a number, so you'll see the address San Marco 123, which means the building is somewhere in the district (sestiere) of San Marco. Usually it will be close to say San Marco 124 - but not always.

The key to eating well in Venice: avoid restaurants near Piazza San Marco (w/the exception of da Carla) and near the Rialto

Osteria da Carla - the ONLY decent (in fact its fabulous) restaurant close to Piazza San Marco, very small - has about 12 tables (maybe), reservations for dinner a must; Carla does the cooking upstairs Venice, Corte Contarina, San Marco 1535 (off the Frezzeria), Phone: 041 523 7855

Osteria Boccadoro, almost exclusively fish but certainly considered the "up and coming" place in town; Cannaregio 5405 in the Campo Widmann Phone: 041/521-1021

Osteria da Alberto, Cannaregio 5401 its on the Calle Giacinto Gallina - very close to the Church of San Giovanni and Paolo (Phone: 041/523-8153); known as having the best scampi in town, does show up in a lot of guide books these days but still excellent food

Il Refalo [Santa Croce 1459] is particularly nice, it is owned by the same family that owns Da Fiore (considered one of the best elite restaurants in Venice); fascinating to sit outside for a casual dinner and watch Venetians live their lives; tel: 041-524-0016; located behind the church of S. Giacomo da l�Orio

Sandwiches: the list begins and ends with Bar Nomboli, San Polo, 2717, on the Rio Terra di Nomboli (and very close to the Frari church) its owned by Alberto and Mirella who have devoted their life to creating unusual sandwiches; all of which have special names (including of course the Alberto and Mirella). Look on your map for the Casa Goldoni, when you get to the Casa Goldoni and are facing the courtyard, turn to your left and continue on that calle, Nomboli will be on the left hand corner.