In the heart of Rome, Monti district is an area you can easily lose track of time and place. The neighborhood’s beauty is wherever you put your eyes on. It is full of ancient monuments, small romantic streets with beautiful yellow lights, and all the little details you dreamt of when imagining a visit in Rome. What was in the past “the place poor people lived, full of disreputable locals and brothels” is now an urban hot spot, where most buildings have a running business and apartments have been converted to airbnbs and hotels. What can I say; I guess nasty ancient places just do it for us.

The Blackmarket Hall is the big brother of the Blackmarket Monti. Monti is focused on an art gallery, while the Hall is the home for live music and concerts. Both are located quite close to each other in the great rione of Monti, and both bars are designed to give you a wonderful cocktail bar adventure. Popping inside the Hall you aren’t sure where you have arrived, but in another moment down you go, never once considering how in the world you are to get out again. An early 1920s hotel designed room, playing a role of some kind of a lobby, adds mystery to the entrance experience.

Down more stairs you continue to several divided spaces of heavy wood and two gardens that share the same 20’s atmosphere, spurring a wish you may find here one of your idols like in Midnight in Paris.

The name was given to this place for a reason: it is definitely a hall, one which gathers around all kind of people to a great night experience. The waitresses are running around while the band is getting ready to play and the place is packed. Everybody wants a piece of the action and there is enough space for whoever wishes to come. Of course I chose to attend on A night with Chet Baker, letting the casual comfort feeling mix with my beloved jazz trumpeter’s music, while an American family is touched by the romantic atmosphere and a German couple seems passionately excited in one of the outdoor areas.

It is a black market all right. It is illegal to have such a good touch, combining a casual environment, delicate sound, and tasty drinks. Something good is made here, the time goes by fast but still the chips seem to be snacked like it was slow food. At a certain point with all the old wood and the swaying night, I felt like I was on a Spanish ship after looting a Caribbean island, enjoying the plunder of booze and spices.

In spite of not playing the main role, food is found on tables all around and beautiful dishes appear everywhere. The menu offers a great variety of aperitivo and snacks, raw food and burgers, and delights for pleasure or meals for the hungry. Whether you are vegan or in a mood for something sweet, the kitchen is ready for your order, and it’s all just truly nice and professional. Everything is picked for a reason and once you got there, the BlackMarket feels like the right place to be.

So the BlackMarket Hall does not need to be introduced, the people behind it do a great job and what looks like an endless flow of people speaks for itself. They opened recently for a new season, mixing drinks and music into a marvelous combination, and I am sure a lot of good things are about to come from their direction of Rome’s night scene.

Open: Mo-Su: 19:00 – 2:00

Blackmarket Hall

via de Ciancaleoni 31

+39 339 735 1926

www.blackmarketartgallery.it