We fully embraced the spirit of aperitivo during our month in Bologna, typically going out for a pre-dinner drink and snack Wednesdays through Sundays.
Medulla Vini – We visited here a couple years back and had a good experience but it was weird this time. It was a warm evening and the outdoor tables were full, so we went inside where it was nearly empty. Even so, it took us a while to find someone to order from, and then, it was hard to understand our options (there was no menu). We did end up with a pleasantly forceful white (Fiorile romagna albana 2024) so it worked out but with wine prices at 7€ a piece, the expense did not match the atmosphere. Plus, we weren’t offered any snacks.
Il Mistico – This little bar turned into our ‘local’ and we stopped in five different times as it was only a couple blocks from our apartment. Highly recommended!
- Valentina was our server and we noticed all wines by the glass were 6€. Eric had the Aglianico rose (some cantaloupe, lots of flinty mineral with mild bitterness on finish.) and I had the Pinot Nero Blanc de noir bubbles (very light and crisp, almond, needed more acidity on finish) and tried the Hugo spritz for a reasonable 5€. Drinks were served with focaccia nibbles, first with wilted greens and vegan mayo, then pork and onion. Very nice experience.
- Eric went down after work calls and I met him there after my urban sketching group. This time he got an A Mano imprint falanghina (lots of mineral, star fruit, white peach, almond, nice acidity and finish) which came with tangy cheese spread on focaccia as snack – really good! I joined him with a Montepulciano and my snack was porchetta on bread.
- This time we went for cocktails! Mezcal Sour for Eric and an Old Fashioned for me. Very good!
- Cocktails again. Kristy Sour with vodka, pineapple, raspberry, lemon (plus a cherry!) for Eric and an Old Fashioned for me.
- One last cocktail before we left for Turin – a whisky sour and an old fashioned. We had good timing, as we grabbed the last two seats outside, and 10 minutes later were surrounded by 20+ people standing with their drinks.
Enoteca Italiana – We bought wine here to-go a couple of times, but only stayed for drinks once. Since it was quite busy and there were no open tables we stood at the bar. Eric had a Malvasia (full bodied, moderate acidity with mild nuttiness, chalky mineral.) and I got a Ripasso (full bodied, and a good price at 15€ for a bottle). We found out the corkage fee is 5€ for in store consumption – might be good for a bubbles in the future.
Drink Now – located on Via del Pratello, this was the cheapest place we stopped in! Eric ordered the white wine (Pignoletto) and I had the red wine (Sangiovese). Served with chips and only 3.50€ per drink.
Mojo Hand – also on Via del Pratello, here we opted for cocktails, a Manhattan and Old Fashioned – both very well-made and came with a nice snack selection. 20€ total.
Enoteca Bar Des Arts – Fun little bar with lots of personality – dusty old bottles, photos, small chairs. Plus a nude photo calendar in my sightline when seated at the countertop. Eric tried a pignoletto (non-frizzante, and the better of the two), then a grillo. I had a sangiovese, then the bartender opened a dolcetto d’alba (2018) for me when I described what I typically liked. Very good! We had tarelli to start then little mortadella sandwiches and rocket and olive tapenade sandwiches came out.
Vinoteca Bologna – Located close to our apartment, this place was a little pricier than other nearby options, but their snacks were extensive and the service was good. I started with a ripasso (of course) and Eric had a primogenito blanco wine from Valpolicella (light, some mineral). We were served four snacks: peanuts, potato chips, tarelli, and massive golf-ball sized olives. To finish our snacks, we each ordered another round, a rosado for Eric (sugar nose; lots of mineral, just a little red fruit, light acid and finish with some bitterness) and a franciacorta for me (fine bubbles, fairly big flavor with some vanilla, flinty mineral; minimal yeast, with medium finish).
Rino’s Garage Collezione Moto & Winebar – a wine bar that is also a motorcycle / art gallery and only open for 4 hours a couple days a week? Absolutely! We liked it so much we went twice.
- Both of us got the prosecco – quite the generous pour! Served with a small plate of Parmesan cheese. We enjoyed checking out all of the motorcycles and paraphernalia around the place. Owner even gave us a free fridge magnet!
- Owner recognized us from our previous visit. Prosecco again, this time with two cheeses and taralli. He had changed out some of the artwork, and as a bonus I got a second magnet!
Sorso – Located on Via San Felice, which was completely under construction during our visit. We sat outside under the portico, which offered lots of interesting people watching. Eric had a verdicchio and I had a ripasso, then we split a Franciacorta sparkling to linger a while longer with our snacks.
Il punto – An underwhelming experience at the only beer spot we went to in the city. Ambience was lacking since they were doing construction on the street and the inside was rather drab. We were the only people there and it took nearly ten minutes for our beers to be poured after we ordered. Eric had the Berliner Weiss (quite light) and I had the Rauch Me Baby smoked lager (smokey and a little bitter). No snacks.
Vineria alle Erbe / Bottiglieria alle Erbe – Located in the Erbe Market, we walked past it twice before we found it! It was a bit chilly outside so we opted to sit inside. Eric got the Ancarni La Signora famoso white (nice but unremarkable) and I had a Girlan 448 red blend (schiava, lagrein, Pinot Nero). Our drinks came with flatbread crackers.
Aurum – Nice music and a cool vibe, plus generous snack tray with crackers, olives, potato chips and peanuts. We each started with a glass of bubbles, rosé for Eric, white for me, then switched to sour cocktails – pistachio for me and passion fruit for Eric. We found the sours to be just okay, more like a generically fruity tea than a cocktail.
