Langhe, Roero & Monferrato
This friendly enoteca is run by passionate young staff who will talk you through their good stock of local wines – from a cheap and cheerful Nebbiolo or…
Must-see nightlife in Northwestern Italy
Genoa
One of Genoa's surfeit of crumbling palazzi is being put to excellent use in this atmospheric cocktail bar. Three bearded, vest-wearing, red-headed…
Manarola
On a wave-kissed promontory overlooking the pastel-coloured houses of Manarola, this leafy terrace bar makes a magical setting for a sundowner. Great wine…
Genoa
The Puccini wafting up the laneway gives you some clue that this is a special little place. The owners here have a passion for good music and brilliant…
Corniglia
Craft beer on draft, first-rate cocktails and creative appetisers make a great combo at this surprisingly hip little spot in this most traditional of…
Turin
Founded in 1763, with an exquisitely simple boiserie interior dating to the early 1800s, this one-room cafe takes its name from its signature drink, a…
Turin
Named for its most famous barfly, the ubiquitous Count Cavour, this beautiful historical room combines a magical, mirrored setting with a great collection…
Genoa
Tucked under the bar Groove, Malkovich is one of Genoa's most atmospheric and secretive drinking dens. To get in, you'll have to provide the password …
Turin
Cambio Corner – home to one of Turin's best restaurants, not to mention bars – also has this 'informal' but glamorous all-day space, set within an old…
Monterosso
One of the best places in Cinque Terre to discover the wines of the region, this family-run wine shop offers various tastings from its selection of over…
Riomaggiore
A delightful spot for an afternoon pick-me-up, this open-air gem has a terrace perched right over Riomaggiore's wave-kissed shoreline. You'll find local…
Manarola
The best place in Manarola for learning about (and more importantly tasting!) the wines of Cinque Terre occupies a stone-walled 16th-century building near…
Turin
Hidden in the southern reaches of San Salvario, Vinarium has a laid-back, free-spirited ethos, with beautifully balanced wines by the glass (from €2.50 to…
Turin
Pouring some of the best espresso in town, Orso is a cosy coffee-lover's den with reclaimed wood furnishings, coffee gadgetry galore (Chemex, Syphon, cold…
Courmayeur
A short walk south of Via Roma, La Bouche creates Courmayeur's most imaginative cocktails. Nattily attired bartenders in leather aprons are more like…
La Spezia
An atmospheric spot for a pre- or post-dinner drink, the Resilience Cafe exudes effortless style, with its wine red walls, shelves of books, twinkling…
Corniglia
Just off the road that leads down to the station, this vine-covered terrace has pretty views over the vineyards tumbling down to the water, and…
Genoa
A Genovese original with delightful staff and an easy-going crowd, A Rumènta serves up local craft beers (nine taps from a changing rotation), alongside…
Savona
Never mind that the sign says Mighetto Vini d'Asti, Maama Bar is one of the best places to be for an afternoon or evening libation. Join locals for an al…
Aosta
Secreted south of the Piazza near fragments of Aosta's Roman past, this beer hall brews up a variety of craft beers, including seasonal flavours (chestnut…
Genoa
Tiny wine bars dot Genoa's old city, although this one, under the arches by the port, is particularly characteristic and full of colourful locals. They…
Portofino
Situated at the base of Portofino's lighthouse, this terrace bar has mesmerising views over the sea from its clifftop perch. Keep your eyes peeled for…
Alba
What started as a wine shop in 2014 has quickly morphed into an elegant wine bar and restaurant. The variety is astonishing, with more than 400 types of…
Genoa
If you've been yearning for some late-night drinking fun, this antica-is-the-new-black place is your answer. A completely untouched old-school backstreet…
Alba
A 15-minute walk from the old town, this microbirrificio e ristoro (brewery and restaurant) is also one of the city's liveliest places for a drink. Join…
Vernazza
A charming little hole-in-the-wall, with only a couple of ringside benches looking over Piazza Marconi to the little beach, this neighbourhood bar serves…
Levanto
A short hop from the beach (via a tunnel), Contro Vento is a friendly spot for refreshment from morning to night. There's Franziskaner and Leffe on draft,…
Langhe, Roero & Monferrato
Join Neive's winemakers and restaurateurs here for a wine and a generous aperitivo plate; if the weather's warm, you'll all boisterously spill out onto…
Riomaggiore
Set on a hillside lane, the friendly Fuori Rotta makes a fine escape from the busier spots by the harbour. Here you can sit at outdoor tables overlooking…
La Spezia
That heart-warming combination of heavy metal and medieval ambience draws young revellers to this quirky drinking den just off Via del Prione. Tapered…
Monterosso
Going strong since the 1980s, this back-lane enoteca (wine bar) run by the welcoming Eliseo and Mary makes a charming setting for a glass or two. Grab an…
Santa Margherita Ligure
Just around the corner from the historic centre, Sabot serves some of Santa Margherita Ligure's best aperitivi, where a generous platter of snacks…
Riomaggiore
Riomaggiore's liveliest drinking den is a local institution – around in one form or another since 1921. Stop in here to catch up on village gossip (if you…
Corniglia
Near the Chiesa San Pietro, this tiny bar has a few low tables and cleverly placed cushions right on the stairs of a peaceful lane. It feels like a hidden…
Corniglia
Spread across two floors of an old village house, the old-fashioned Il Pirun is named after the odd-looking wine pitcher that allows thirsty customers to…
Corniglia
The draw of this tiny cafe is the terrace located just a bit further along, on the right. Here you can contemplate Manarola off in the distance while…
Sestri Levante
In a cosy drinking den near the Baia del Silenzio, Black Bart serves up the city's best cocktails. Try a creative elixir like Le Vigne Sospese, featuring…
Turin
Set in an 18th-century palazzo, Floris House has fragrances from around the globe, scented candles and jewellery scattered in a warren of plant-filled…
Genoa
A little bit of Brooklyn or Melbourne in the caruggi, this brewpub packs out with Genoa's black-clad young. There are over a dozen taps of local and…
Riomaggiore
With outdoor tables on a prime stretch of Via Colombo, Vertical Bar is a great spot for coffee or cocktails – depending on which direction you're steering…
