Entertainment in Emilia Romagna & San Marino
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Al Brindisi
The oldest osteria in the world (according to Guinness), this atmospheric wine bar was already an established drinking den in 1435 – Titian drank here, Benvenuto Cellini dropped in on occasion and Copernicus studied in the room upstairs. Alongside the substantial wine list there’s a strong selection of grappas and whiskies, plus a full menu of pastas, mains and snacks. Fixed-price lunch menus start at €13.
reviewed
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Terzi
A refined cafe serving an unusual range of coffees, Terzi is a great spot to toy with a caffè con prugna e cannella (espresso with plum and cinnamon).
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Cinema Lumière
Northwest of the city centre; shows art-house films in their original version.
reviewed
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Le Stanze
Each of the four interior rooms at this hip corner bar has its own design concept; depending on your mood, you can hide away on velvet backroom couches, people-watch alfresco at the sidewalk tables, or embrace the expansive chapel-chic vibe in the main bar area, where 17th-century frescoes hint at its earlier use as the Bentivoglio family’s private chapel.
reviewed
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Cantina Bentivoglio
Bologna’s top jazz joint, the Bentivoglio is a jack of all trades. Part wine bar (choose from over 500 labels), part restaurant (the daily prix-fixe menu costs €28) and part jazz club (there’s live music nightly), this much-loved institution oozes cosy charm with its ancient brick floors, arched ceilings and shelves full of wine bottles.
reviewed
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Balebùste
Sequester yourself under the brick arches in the cosy interior rooms, or mingle with the masses on cobblestoned Via Vittoria at this lively corner bar. Although wine holds centre stage here, it’s worth sticking around for the wide-ranging food menu, featuring traditional Ferrarese dishes and daily chef’s specials.
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Osteria del Sole
Oozing the sort of character that modern rivals strive for, this historic osteria (wine bar) has been serving booze, and only booze, since the 15th century. If you want to eat, bring a takeaway; if you want water, bring your own.
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Disco Bar Coconuts
Flaunting its prime waterfront location, Rimini’s most centrally located disco exudes a summer-beach-party atmosphere, with palm trees sprouting from the wooden deck and a ‘flower power’ VW convertible parked out the front.
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Caffè Cavour
This swish cafe on Rimini’s main square attracts a well-to-do aperitivo set who lounge inside on leather chairs in winter, then decamp outdoors on balmy summer evenings to enjoy the fine Piazza Cavour views.
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Osteria L’Infedele
A very agreeable spot to while away the hours with a glass of wine. Vintage adverts line the walls and the cool, eclectic soundtrack ranges from jazz to blues, interrupted only by football broadcasts on game nights.
reviewed
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Velvet Club
The Velvet, located 8km southwest of the centre of Rimini, features DJs, big-name rock acts and dancing till dawn. The adjacent Velvet Factory is a live-work space for international visual and performing artists.
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La Scuderia
On Piazza Verdi, this happening bar-cafe occupies the Bentivoglio family’s former stables. All the rage with image-conscious students, it features towering columns, vaulted ceilings, arty photos and free wi-fi.
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Teatro Regio
Parma’s opera, concert and theatre season runs from October through April. Teatro Regio offers a particularly rich program of music and opera, even by exacting Italian standards.
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Nu-Lounge Bar
One of several swish cafes in the Quadrilatero, Nu-Lounge attracts a chic, stylishly dressed crowd for everything from predinner aperitivi to midnight cocktails on its porticoed terrace.
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English Empire
Serving both Guinness and Bass on tap, this university-district pub hums with the raucous energy of its youthful patrons, who spill onto the surrounding colonnaded sidewalks until the wee hours.
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Kinki
Still innovating and reinventing itself after 50 years, Kinki remains at the forefront of Bologna’s club scene, with art exhibitions, video projections, house music and the Sunday gay night.
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Teatro Comunale
Bologna has a year-round cultural calendar. Teatro Comunale, where Wagner’s works were heard for the first time in Italy, is Bologna’s main opera and classical music venue.
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L'Altromondo Studios
The futuristic décor gives no hint of Altromondo's heritage - Ray Charles and James Brown have both partied here. Nowadays, the sounds are commercial and the crowd's young.
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Taverna della Vecchia Pescheria
In the historic fish market, this rustic pub with little wooden tables and chairs is elbow-to-elbow with locals enjoying draught beer and free snacks at aperitivo time.
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Bravo Caffè
Across from Cantina Bentivoglio, Bravo is a sexy wine bar with red walls, black furniture and soft, subtle lighting. It too features regular live jazz and a full food menu.
reviewed
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Marsalino
Tiny, arty and chameleonlike, Marsalino is a laid-back watering hole that opens as a tearoom at 4pm, morphs into a wine bar at 6pm, and becomes a modest restaurant at 8pm.
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Gotha
An intimate lounge bar for 1000, on the waterfront halfway between Rimini and Riccione, Gotha swings to a Latin beat in winter and a commercial soundtrack in summer.
reviewed
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Chez Baker Jazz Club
Jazz fiends should make for Chez Baker Jazz Club, which features frequent live music and hosts its own summertime Porto del Jazz festival.
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Teatro Comunale
During July and August, outdoor concerts and ballet are staged on Piazza Grande. Modena’s main opera venue is Teatro Comunale.
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Cassero
Saturday and Wednesday are the big nights at this legendary gay and lesbian (but not exclusively) club, home of Italy’s Arcigay organisation.
reviewed
