Listen to the story
It was a dark night in the sixteenth century when several hooded figures including men and women moved stealthily through the calli of Venice, heading for a hidden bar, a place forbidden but accessible to the nobles of the time.
La Serenissima, with its aura of mystery and opulence, concealed beneath its gilded surface a secret world of intrigue, art and gambling. We are talking about several refuges that are now full-fledged clubs, hotels and businesses.
"Are we going again tonight?" whispered one of them, his face barely visible under his hood. That phrase was a call to the aristocrats, an invitation to plunge into a world of secrets and games. Only the most daring and privileged knew the exact location of this clandestine den, where Venetian nobles tempted fate among the shadows of flickering candles.
One of them, located in the dark corner of Campo Santa Margherita in the Dorsoduro sestiere, was more than just a hangout. Imagine behind the thick walls, a labyrinth of secret passages and hidden rooms awaited its visitors as usual. And it is pure reality. A small, seemingly insignificant hole in the wall served as a window to the unknown, connecting several secret passages that only a select few knew about. In fact then as time went on, in 1744, they became 118 official casinos of the city.
In these secret spaces, Venetian nobles and aristocrats met to challenge each other to card games, discuss politics, and sometimes plot secret plans. In these kinds of places, the floors were littered with peepholes, through which one could observe without being seen, and hidden doors allowed a quick and discreet escape to the street, avoiding the surveillance of the authorities.
The atmosphere was charged with tension and fascination, a place where fun mixed with danger. Every laugh, every daring move at the gaming tables, seemed to defy fate itself.
Today, after hundreds of years, the Do Draghi bar continues to live and breathe the soul of the city. Its walls are steeped in whispered stories and secrets buried in time. Every night, when the lights go up and the music starts playing, it is as if the spirits of the past return to mingle with the modern crowd.
"Shall we go to Do Draghi tonight?" is still a phrase that resonates through the alleys of Venice, a call to a night of mystery and magic. The bar, opened in 1960, serves drinks and cocktails, fueling the Venetian nightlife just like in the old days. Here, the past and present merge, creating a unique atmosphere that continues to enchant anyone who crosses its threshold.
Do you want to be part of the Venetian nightlife too?
Come drink our tasty, high-quality, mystery-flavored cocktails.
