Formerly a greasy auto repair shop, now a full-throttle nabe fave for al-frisky aperitivi.
Once the summer sun slinks past the yardarm, the perennially pretty Eternal City gussies up for a right Roman romp – her first stop? Freni e Frizioni, naturalmente.
Quicker than you can say ‘un spritz, per favore,’ Trastevere’s former auto repair shop turned hip imbiber has gone from nought-to-sixty. Today, beneath soaring chandeliered ceilings, Roma’s chicstas arrange themselves around vintage furny and artfully appropriated artefacts harkening back to the bar’s past life, or spill out onto the Tiber-side piazza for an al-frisky aperitivo hour.
The moniker translates to ‘brakes and clutches’, and indeed you should hop off your saddle to indulge in a bevvy or three, ranging from all the usual suspects to the specially brewed Piston Blonde, plus a cacophony of crafty concoctions.
Punk rockers plump for the Ramone Fizz, a bitterly sweet and sour potion of Johnny Walker Black Label, orange Curacao, vanilla, Angostura bitters, egg white and club soda, while those in the mood for something a little more, ahem, topical, sip The Christian’s Passion, a fruity blend of vodka, St. Germain liqueur, strawberry, passion fruit and lemon.
To pair, don’t miss the rather forkable Middle Eastern-inspired fare, much of which is veggie- and vegan-friendly, and all for the totally bargain price of free. Start your engines!
Freni e Frizioni, Via del Politeama, 4-6, Trastevere, Rome. +39 06 4549 7499, freniefrizioni.com
