If you think Rome is spectacular in the daytime, you need to do some sightseeing/strolling at night as well. An illuminated Rome is breathtaking, especially the Piazza San Pietro, Castel Sant'Angelo, Piazza Navona, Trevi Fountain, Capitoline Hill/Roman Forum, and the Vittorio Emanuel II Monument in Piazza Venezia. All worthy of a night stroll to see! 

A city tradition for many years, all auto traffic is banned from old Rome on Friday and Saturday nights until quite late to allow citizens and visitors alike to take part in the passeggiata (which means early-evening stroll). It is a great experience to be able to stroll the many streets of old Rome well into the night without having to worry about being run over by a speeding car or Vespa. The downtown sector is completely blocked off to motorized traffic from Piazza Venezia down Via dei Corso to Piazza del Popolo and all streets in between to and including Piazza di Spagna. All the cafes, restaurants, and retail shops are open, vendors on street corners selling fresh roasted chestnuts, and people from all walks of life milling about in every direction -- an experience not to be missed! The most popular areas are the Via dei Corso, Piazza Navona, and Via Condotti to Via di Spagna.

Nightclubbing

Nightclubbing in Rome is very expensive. There are no affordable clubs to be found anywhere. Unlike America, where tanktops and ragged jeans are often the normal drag at a lot of the clubs, you won't get passed the front door of any Roman club wearing such attire. In fact, the really trendy/glitzy clubs require a jacket and tie, and the disco-type clubs require "designer label casuals" -- emphasis on the designer label.&nbbsp; A number of the 'in' clubs are located in the Testaccio district; however, I would not venture there by myself at night as I personally do not think it is a safe place to be alone.

Club hopping is not an option for many people because of the expense. A regular nothing-fancy club can charge up to 30,000 lire and the trendier clubs even higher just to get in and cover your first drink. You think that is high, try your second drink -- very expensive -- at up to 20,000 lire or more.  Even so, everyone should save up enough extra play money to splurge at least one night.

Bars and Clubs

I have found every time I have used the most up-to-date travel guide, gay or otherwise, to locate nightclubs and discos in Rome, they are not as plentiful as the books often report. I have learned from people I have talked to that this is especially true with the gay clubs. You are lucky if you find one that is in business let alone a legitimate address. I am not saying the guides are all wrong, but just be aware that clubs come and go, some more quickly than otehrs, and it is always a good idea to check with an 'in' publication like the Trovaroma for current listings of what's happening at the different clubs, or Circolo Mario Mieli di Cultura Omosessuale on current gay clubs and their happenings. The Hangar and L'Alibi are two very popular gay clubs that one can visit to find out what is going on and what bars and clubs are open. St. James used to be another popular gay club, but I am not sure it is still in operation. Trying to stay up late enough for a club to open after an active day of sightseeing and/or museum-going is a feat in itself.