Venice’s historic bars and cafés offer a window on the city’s past and present. And there is a dazzling array of drinks to choose from—cocktails, aperitivos, wines from the Venice hinterland and around the Adriatic, spirits from the foothills of the Alps, not to mention impeccable coffee. Long time Venice resident Robin Saikia ( ) takes the reader on a fascinating tour, weaving history and anecdote into a fascinating web as he visits 26 Venetian bars and cafés and contemplates the city over 26 different drinks.