Bar Gran Canale at Bauer Hotel

Bar Gran Canale is one of two bars within the deluxe, five star Bauer Hotel (the other being the B Bar). It lies, as the name would suggest, to the rear of the hotel, where its' terrace overlooks the Grand Canal.

Compared to the splendour of some nearby Venetian hotel bars, the interior of Bar Gran Canale is pretty ordinary. The colour scheme, however, is perhaps a little extraordinary. Comfortable black leather club chairs sit on a mustard-coloured marble floor surrounded by scarlet walls (they call it the Red Room). However, it feels cosy and, weather permitting, the large terrace offers spectacular views across the Grand Canal to Santa Maria della Salute.

Classic five-star hotel service is offered by jacketed bartenders and bellboys who serve up well-made classic cocktails. The wine and beer selections are less interesting.

As you'd expect in such an establishment, the clientele is a mixture of old European money, wealthy Russians and the occasional American.