5 places to enjoy live music in Rome

Featuring burlesque, live music, stand-up comedy, dinner, brunch and cocktails, Ellington Club takes you back to the days of cancan and Toulouse-Lautrec. Tucked away in Rome’s edgy Pigneto neighbourhood, this place is frequented by international celebrities like Bill Murray and Wes Anderson.

Lanificio means ‘wool mill’, an homage to previous tenants. Today they’re churning out quality live music, DJ sets and modern art exhibits. This eclectic space also offers a full-service restaurant with nouvelle cuisine. Check out the rooftop garden overlooking the Aniene River.

If you’re lucky, you may catch Gato Barbieri, Enrico Rava, or any number of Italy’s jazz stars performing in what is Rome’s premiere jazz concert hall. Nestled in a leafy park, what was once a mobster’s villa today has a 150-seat performance space, perfect acoustics, and a charming cafe.

Founded in 2013 when three friends decided to turn an old marble tombstone factory into a night spot. Located across the historic Verano cemetery, it’s also in the hip San Lorenzo neighbourhood, offering good cocktails, a great patio, and live music ranging from rock and hip-hop to DJ sets.

This former movie theatre was about to become a casino when locals organised to block the effort and opened this community centre instead. Live, local music with a subversive bent is the norm. It also offers breakdancing courses, plays, and workshops on child development.