12 Best Bars in Bologna 2025: Cocktails, Wine & Craft Beer

Bologna is known as La Grassa (The Fat), but let’s be honest: after all that pasta, you’re going to be thirsty.

The drinking scene in Bologna has evolved dramatically in the last five years.

We’ve moved past the era of watered-down Spritzes in plastic cups. Today, the city offers a sophisticated mix of world-class mixology, deep-rooted wine traditions, and a rebellious craft beer soul.

Whether you are looking for a velvet-sofa speakeasy, a 15th-century wine cellar, or a noisy craft beer pub, this is your definitive 2025 guide to the best bars in Bologna.

If you only have one night in town, use this table to find the perfect vibe for your mood.

Bologna's cocktail scene is thriving.
We’ve moved away from simple three-ingredient drinks to complex, culinary-inspired creations.

Located at the base of a 14th-century "hidden" tower, I Conoscenti feels like a scene from a Bond movie. The décor is all green velvet, marble, and dim lighting. Their approach to mixology is technical and adventurous.

• Why go: For the Peperoni Botanici, a gin infusion with Japanese yuzu and green tea.
• The Vibe: High-end, intimate, and sophisticated.
• Address: Via Manzoni, 6.

If you love whisky and the Prohibition era, this is your temple. Emporio 1920 is consistently ranked among the best bars in Italy. Francesco Trimigno has created a space where jukeboxes and old typewriters meet a list of 35 different whiskies.

• Must Try: The Old Star—bitter vermouth aged in oak barrels, served with a Parmigiano Reggiano wafer.
• The Vibe: Authentic speakeasy with high-level finger food.
• Address: Via de' Poeti, 2/E.

This is widely considered the most beautiful bar in Bologna. Housed in an 18th-century antique shop within Palazzo Isolani, it overlooks the magnificent Piazza Santo Stefano. Drinking here is a theatrical experience.

• Why go: For a La Grande Bellezza cocktail under a giant crystal chandelier.
• The Vibe: Opulent, historic, and undeniably romantic.
• Address: Via Santo Stefano, 14/2a.

In Bologna, wine isn't just a drink; it’s the fluid that keeps the city moving. The "natural wine" movement has taken over, but tradition remains king.

Opened in 2025 in the Saragozza Area, this is already one of the best wine bars in Bologna. They focus on artisanal wines and small-scale producers.

• The secret: don't forget the food. Mostly vegetarian, always delicious.
• Address: Via Saragozza, 71/A

A stone's throw from the Two Towers, Favalli manages to be central without being "touristy." It’s an elegant, warm spot that specializes in local varieties like Pignoletto and Sangiovese, but with an international eye.

• Tip: Ask for their selection of local "Metodo Classico" sparkling wines.
• Address: Via Santo Stefano, 3/a.

A tiny, passionate laboratory of wine. Medulla is where you go when you want to learn something new. The owner is a curator of flavors, focusing almost exclusively on natural and biodynamic wines.

• The experience: No big brands here—only stories of soil and vine.
• Address: Via Oberdan 18a

These are the places that haven't changed in decades—or centuries. They are essential for understanding the Bolognese spirit.

Open since 1465, this is the oldest bar in the city and one of the oldest in the world.

The rules are ancient: they only sell wine, beer or champagne and you bring your own food. You go to the Quadrilatero market, buy some prosciutto and bread, walk in, find a spot at the long wooden tables, and order a bottle of Pignoletto.

• The soul: It’s loud, crowded, and completely unpretentious.
• Address: Via Ranocchi, 1/d.

Since 1924, the Faccioli family has been serving wine in this elegant corner near the towers. Today, it is a world-class destination for natural wine lovers. The atmosphere is refined, silent, and perfect for a deep conversation over a glass of artisanal Champagne.

• Don't miss: Their selection of local charcuterie is as curated as their wine list.
• Address: Via Altabella, 15/b.

This is the "University" of wine.
With floor-to-ceiling shelves packed with thousands of bottles, it feels like a museum. It’s a classic, formal spot where the service is impeccable and the selection is unparalleled.

• Address: Via Marsala, 2/b.

Bologna has a rebellious, university-driven heart, and that heart beats for craft beer.

A clean, modern approach to the pub experience. Astral features a rotating tap list that highlights the best Italian microbreweries. The staff is incredibly knowledgeable and will help you navigate through IPAs, Sours, and Stouts.

• Address: Via Castiglione, 13/b.

Exactly what it says: a "popular" brewery for everyone.
It’s hidden on the tiny Via del Luzzo, a couple of steps from the two towers. It offers a huge range of craft beers in a vibrant, high-energy setting. Perfect for a casual night with friends.

• Address: Via dal Luzzo, 4a

This is a "social" bar in the university district.

Lortica bridges the gap between a craft beer pub and a natural wine bar. It’s bohemian, laid-back, and often hosts cultural events or political discussions.

• Address: Via Mascarella, 26.

1. The "Aperitivo" Ritual: In Bologna, we drink between 6:30 PM and 8:30 PM. Most places will serve you a small bowl of chips or olives with your drink. If you want a full meal, look for an "Apericena," but true locals prefer quality over quantity.
2. Porticoes are for drinking: Many bars have tables under the porticoes. Even if it's raining, you can enjoy your drink outside. It's the Bolognese way.
3. Check the opening times: Some historic enoteche close early (around 9:00 PM), while cocktail bars stay open until 2:00 AM.

Conclusion

Bologna's bar scene is a reflection of the city itself: a blend of ancient traditions and bold, modern experiments.

Whether you're sipping a historic wine at Osteria del Sole or a futuristic cocktail at I Conoscenti, you're partaking in a social ritual that has defined this city for centuries.