"Ci vediamo al celestino!" - "See you at the Celestino!" are 4 beautiful words (well, 5 in English) I have heard and spoken countless times since I first arrived in Rome. And I know for a fact that I'm not the only one.
Celestino is the name of a bar in San Lorenzo, the student's neighbourhood. Over the years though it became kind of symbolic and "Celestino" is now being used to describe the whole block around the original bar. A celestial portion of street where the students of the Sapienza university meet up for a drink, or two, or six. And there are A LOT of them, up to the point where on weekends the street is too crowded for cars or even mopeds to have any chance to pass.
Which brings me to my second point, after you get your beer for no more than € 2 at one of the bars or stores at the Celestino just fade in with the locals and place yourself in the street. Or on it, sitting, standing, leaning, lying, whatever you prefer, because here it is all about casualness.
Though you'll always find movement there, the busiest nights are from Thursday to Saturday. Do also keep in mind that in August it's gonna be practically deserted, since most students are out of town.
So take a sip of your bottle of beer or your cocktail in a plastic cup, bum a cigarette off somebody, don't be shy and just do as the Roman (students) do!
Via Degli Ausoni 62
Large Beer:
€
1.50
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