Chakra Cafè Rome

Most bars in Trastevere are decent - a nice enough place to hang out, have a drink or two. But none of them come close to Chakra, which gets my vote for the best bar not just in Trastevere, but in Rome.

I'll admit that it depends on your tastes, and what kind of evening you want. If you want to knock back shots and get wasted, walk on. But for a cosy evening sipping wine, cocktails or craft beer, Chakra is perfect. It's a little bit hidden, tucked away in a small piazza, which means it's less crowded and chaotic than some of the other Trastevere bars. The yellow and orange walls, cosy lighting and Indian tapestries on the ceiling create the perfect atmosphere, especially in the winter. They always play great music too - one of the first times I visited, they played Talking Heads' Stop Making Sense in its entirety, and I knew that Chakra was the bar for me.

Staff are friendly and helpful, and there's always a nice mix of people - a good balance of tourists and locals, groups of friends drinking tea and couples cuddled up on the sofas. Chakra's laidback, cosy atmosphere makes it perfect for a date; I had my first date with my boyfriend here 4 years ago, and it's still a favourite spot. Once you're settled on the sofa with a glass of wine, it's hard to leave...