Longer days are the perfect reason (not that you need a reason) to linger in the city post-work. Make the most of the extra daylight and unwind Italian-style on Columbus Ave, where SRV is transferring Venetian tradition to the streets of Boston. The restaurant, which opened in January 2016, brings the concept of the Venetian wine bar, or bacaro, across the Atlantic—complete with small plates and cocktails.

SRV, which stands for Serene Republic of Venice, aims to carry over the atmosphere of the bacari, the small standing bars that offer guests a little food and drink respite in their day. SRV General Manager Ted Hawkins explains, “The thought process is that you’re there anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour and you sample some of their cicchetti, which is the small bites, drink some wine, laugh and then move on. Crudely put, it’s kind of like Italian happy hour.” The SRV space is well-suited to that kind of casual, convivial environment with a standing bar area where guests can snack on small bites and sip on something from the Italian-inspired beverage list.

The bar program is crafted to complement the kitchen offerings with an Italian slant and a Boston twist. “We sought to create a program that was sensibly Italian without being cripplingly so,” says Hawkins, who curates the wine while bartenders John Benevides and David Spielberg man the spirits. The influence from abroad comes through with lighter cocktails—like the quintessential Aperol Spritz— and bitter amari ideal for pre-dinner sips (and second glasses). “The real bulk of our list is meant to be refreshing and kind of get your palate started.” The Vermouth of the Day offers a rotating taste of the fortified Italian wine, showcasing its range from sweet to dry and “from complex and nutty to more like a white wine.” The cocktail list also gives a nod to Bostonian tastes with a selection of heavier pours. “That might not be the classical way Italians drink,” says Hawkins, “but it’s definitely a Boston thing. I think Boston, even more so than other places in the country even, has a really spirit-forward palate—that comes from education, from the cocktail minds of the city that have really pushed those styles of drinks to the forefront.”

Whether you’re feeling more spritzy or spirited, the SRV team has you covered. Head over for dinner or duck in for a casual culinary recharge to welcome the warmer weather (the restaurant’s front windows fold up for an alfresco feel). Columbus Ave might not run along a canal, but you can take part in the Venice tradition with a cocktail and cicchetti in hand.

COCKTAILS
Vermouth of the Day – we drink to world peace – 9
Aperol Spritz – aperol, prosecco, soda – 10
Bicicletta – campari, white wine, dry vermouth – 10
Casanova’s Orchards – famous grouse, plantation 5 year, tobacco, combier, lemon, soda – 12
63 Fairbanks – citadelle gin, aperol, elderflower, citrus, green chartreuse – 11
Nonno’s Sigaro – privateer silver, old monk, pear caramel, lime, mint – 11
The Venetian – plymouth gin, dry vermouth, campari, disaronno – 11
The Innocents Abroad – fighting cock bourbon, amaro nonino, gran classico, kina l’aero – 12
SRV Negroni – death’s door gin, alessio chinato, campari – 12