The 11 best places for aperitivo in Bologna: an insider’s guide [2026 Update]

Happy students, curious tourists, tired workers—everyone in Bologna loves aperitivo. But what exactly is this Italian tradition? 
And where can you find the best aperitivo in Bologna?

If you’re visiting this vibrant city, you can’t leave without experiencing this iconic moment of the day.

In this guide, you’ll learn everything about aperitivo italiano, from its origins to the best bars in town.

The word aperitivo has different meanings, and if you’re in Italy, you’ll hear it often. Let’s break it down:

1. A time of the day

When Italians say, “Let’s meet for aperitivo,” they mean meeting before dinner, usually between 6 PM and 8 PM. It’s the perfect moment to relax, socialize, and enjoy a drink with small bites.

2. A drink

If you ask for an aperitivo, you’ll get a low-alcohol drink, usually something bittersweet. Classic options include:

• Spritz (Aperol, Campari, or Cynar-based)
• Vermouth (the original aperitivo drink)
• Negroni (gin, vermouth, and Campari)
• Americano (vermouth, Campari, and soda)
• Crodino (non-alcoholic but bitter and refreshing)

3. A way of eating

Aperitivo always comes with food. 
Some places serve just a few snacks like olives, chips, or nuts.

Others offer a full buffet where you pay for a drink (€6–€8) and get unlimited food.

Be warned: cheap buffets often mean lower-quality food. If you want a high-quality aperitivo, always choose wisely.

Aperitivo drinks are designed to stimulate your appetite before dinner. Their taste is usually:

• Bitter-sweet (Aperol Spritz, Americano)
• Herbal and aromatic (Vermouth, Negroni)
• Citrusy and refreshing (Crodino, Campari Spritz)

Pair these flavors with salty snacks like Parmesan, mortadella, or taralli, and you’ll get the full experience.

Unlike a formal meal, aperitivo is meant to be casual. Here’s how to do it like a local:

1. Order a drink first – The bar will serve food along with it.
2. Choose small bites – Olives, cheese, bruschetta, or cold cuts are the best pairings.
3. Take your time – Aperitivo is about enjoying the moment, not rushing to dinner.
4. Stay for one or two rounds – It’s common to visit different bars for multiple aperitivi.

Aperitivo in Bologna usually takes place between 6 pm and 8 pm, though some bars keep it going until around 9 pm on weekends.

In the more budget-friendly spots, you pay only for the drink and food comes for free, usually in the form of a small buffet or simple snacks.

In the higher-quality bars and wine shops, you pay for both: the drink and the food, often served as à la carte bites, tapas or sharing boards.

Prices vary: drinks generally range from €6–7 for a simple Spritz up to €12–13 for cocktails or classics like Negroni.
Food starts at about €5 for small tapas and can go higher for more elaborate dishes or generous charcuterie boards.

Now that you know what aperitivo is, let’s explore the best spots in Bologna.

Whether you prefer a cozy wine bar or a trendy outdoor garden, there’s something for everyone.

📍 Via Castiglione, 134 | 🌍 leserre.kilowatt.bo.it

Located in a renovated greenhouse, this is the best place for an outdoor aperitivo in Bologna. Sit among rosemary and sage plants while sipping a Spritz. Afterward, have dinner at Vetro, the on-site restaurant.

📍 Via Don Giovanni Minzoni, 14/E

Next to the Museum of Modern Art (MAMbo), this stylish café offers great cocktails and single-origin coffee. On Sundays, they also serve brunch from 12:30 PM to 3 PM.

📍 Via Valdonica, 5

Located in the University area, this cozy wine bar is perfect for a relaxed aperitivo. Try local wines like Lambrusco and Pignoletto, paired with tasty cold cuts and cheeses.

📍 Via Francesco Albani

Away from the tourist crowds, Sbando offers high-quality tapas (only €1 each) and an excellent selection of local and natural wines.

📍 Via Mascarella, 26/B | 🌍 lortica.org

A must-visit for craft beer lovers. Located in the jazz district, it’s the perfect place to enjoy a relaxed, student-friendly aperitivo.

📍 Via Belvedere, 11/B

Located right behind the Mercato delle Erbe, this is one of the most special bars in Bologna. 

Run by deaf staff, Bar Senza Nome (the "Bar with No Name") encourages you to order your drink using sign language or by writing it on small notes. 
It’s a vibrant, inclusive spot where the Spritz is cheap, the vibes are high, and the outdoor tables are always packed with locals.

📍 Via Belvedere, 10d

If you want to feel like you’ve stepped into a 1960s Italian movie, Bar Volare is your place. With its retro tiles, vintage soda bottles, and old-school atmosphere, it serves a classic "aperitivo all'italiana."

 Forget fancy fusion; here you get a perfectly balanced Negroni or a glass of local wine paired with simple, high-quality mortadella and chips. It's authentic, unpretentious, and deeply Bolognese.

📍 Via Urbana 12b

Bivio is the place to go if you want to see where the city’s creative crowd hangs out. Located under the porticos of Via San Vitale, they specialize in natural wines and craft beers. The food is a step up from your average snacks: expect gourmet crostini and small plates that change seasonally. It’s small and usually crowded, so do like the locals: grab your glass and stand outside in the street.

📍 Via Saragozza 71

Ask a local for "Vini Belli" and they’ll point you here. This is a traditional bottiglieria—a wine shop with tables—where the focus is 100% on the glass. 

The selection of regional and Italian wines is outstanding and fairly priced. Pair your bottle with one of their stunning small dishes (also for vegetarians) for one of the most authentic aperitivo experiences in the city.

📍 Via Mascarella, 24b

Part independent bookstore, part bar, Modo Infoshop is the heart of the via Mascarella scene. It’s the perfect spot for a quiet, cultural aperitivo surrounded by art books and underground zines. 

They have a great selection of artisanal beers and local wines. During the summer, their outdoor tables are the best place to enjoy the breeze in the historic jazz district.

📍 Via Belvedere, 4/A

If you want to step away from the classic Spritz and dive into world-class mixology, Bizarre is your destination. 

Located just a few steps from Mercato delle Erbe, this tiny "cocktail boutique" offers an intimate and sophisticated atmosphere. Forget crowded buffets; here, every drink is a masterpiece. 

The menu changes frequently, featuring innovative creations made with craft spirits and rare ingredients. It’s the perfect spot for a refined aperitivo in an eccentric and elegant setting, where the quality in the glass is the true star.

Final thoughts: is Aperitivo in Bologna worth it?

Let’s be clear: Bologna isn't Milan. 
We don't do "apericena" here. If you see a sad, soggy pasta buffet at the counter, run. That’s not aperitivo; that’s a tourist trap.

The real Bolognese ritual is lean and mean: a sharp drink, a high-quality slice of mortadella, and a lot of chatting standing under a portico. It’s the bridge between work and dinner, not a cheap replacement for it.

Pick one of these 11 spots, grab a glass of Pignoletto, and squeeze into the crowd. If it’s loud and you're standing on the sidewalk, you’re doing it right. 

Just remember the golden rule: save some space. Dinner in Bologna is a serious matter, and you don’t want to be full before the tortellini arrive.

Salute!

[photos: Lorenzo Burlando, Bizarre Cocktail Boutique, Camera a Sud]