Standing loud and proud on the Grand Canal the Oriental Bar is part of the uber-famous Hotel Metropole. Swing a left as you enter and you’ll be sucked into the genie’s lamp.

This bar, decked out in red velvet, smells of candles and cinnamon, a nod to the city's ties with Constantinople and the spice routes. At night, the aura is magical and there are plenty of dark corners to lurk in. The bar is stocked to the hilt so dodge the usual Bellini and try one of the dozen curated Martinis on the list… or blow your cork on a Billancourt Champagne. BarChick drank the Ginger Love (home-made ginger syrup, Jack Daniels, Chartreuse and lime juice) a weird and wonderful combination. Not your bag? Try an atomized cocktail called Remember Venice: the last ingredient, a rare home-made Vermouth is misted on the drink as a finishing touch, nice.

While you're here check out Hotel Metopole's dark side in the lobby; a bizarre display of items… hundreds of cigarette cases, fans, corkscrews and crucifixes. Have your plastic ready (your bill’s going to be hefty) or whack it on your room if you’re balling hard enough to be booked in.