Top Rated Nightlife in Bologna

The Osteria del Sole is one of Bolognas oldest restaurants, dating back to the 15th Century. Not far from the Piazza Maggiore, this is a picturesque pub with a mixed clientèle. Vast selection of wines, the Osteria del Sole is perfect for a nice glass of wine. The informality of the venue and the easy-going management mean you can even eat food from the nearby supermarket on the premises. They do not have a telephone, so no calling ahead to book or request information - just show up!

Celtic Druid Irish Pub is the Irish pub with the highest concentration of Irish people in Bologna. Here you can drink an Irish pint (Harp, Guinness, Kilkenny) pulled by an Irish barman. The pub is always full of friendly people: of course not just the Irish! There is no table service but there are loads of bar snacks to eat like popcorn and bags of crisps. There are also slices of pizza and sandwiches. Happy Hour is daily and goes from 7p to 8:30p.

Until the beginning of the 1980s the Osteria dell'Orsa was a haven for punks and skinheads. Then a new era began: jazz culture arrived in Bologna and the pub changed its tune. In the early years some great names played here including Chet Baker, Stan Getz, Steve Grossman. Now they hold concerts for local and national jazz artists. The venue is very pleasant with the lower room reserved for concerts while the pub itself is on the upper floor.

Vito is a good place for peaceful surroundings, a tasty pizza and fine wine. But there is also an gelateria, a coffee house and a cake shop. The cake shop will prepare all kinds of cakes and the barman cocktails as well as standard long drinks. Apart from the pizzas (traditional, vegetarian and cheese toppings), there is a choice of various regional Italian dishes, such as crostini with a variety of toppings, sliced meats and cheeses, various fondue dishes, baked vegetables, rice salad, bresaola, Tuscan bread, and a variety of salads. Desserts are prepared on the premises. A long list of beers and wines is available to accompany your meal.

Nu Lounge Bar is a chic spot to enjoy fine wine and cocktails. It has a very good selection of Italian wines such as Ornellaia, Sassicaia, Guado al Tasso and Amarone, besides some fantastic cocktails and beer. Nosh on tasty bites while you take a sip of their delicious drinks. Their cocktails are among the best in town and are crafted by top mixologists. Definitely worth a try.

Thanks to the efforts of a cultural association, this locale was founded in an unused part of Bologna's train yards. Locomotiv hosts many kinds of events: rock concerts, DJs, talk shows, dances, theatre to name a few. It's a destination for many artists and young culture enthusiasts. Check website for event details.