Turin
Location scouts looking for a neighbourhood bar from Turin's midcentury glory days would jump on this little place. A crew of local shopkeepers, creatives…
Must-see nightlife in Northwestern Italy
Alba
Hidden on a tiny lane just south of Piazza del Risorgimento, Monviso pours the best coffee in town. Amid low-playing indie rock, recycled furnishings and…
Turin
The excellent, and not ridiculously priced, wines here are poured after a discussion about your likes, mood and whims. While wine is the raison d'etre, it…
Asti
A festive spot for a negroni or a creative gin cocktail in the evening, Il Cicchetto also has some excellent wines by the glass (Barbera, Barolo and some…
La Spezia
A dark, bohemian, elegantly dishevelled wine bar on a pretty street in the pedestrian centre, Odioilvino is a fine place to relax with locals over a…
Turin
Come to this Vanchiglia triangle stalwart for good wine served by serious wine pros at reasonable prices. Plus you get to hang out with some of the…
Aosta
A friendly, much-loved wine shop and bar where you can taste some of the Aosta Valley's excellent produce. Charcuterie boards, melted tomino cheese with…
Tellaro
A simple tiny bar dispenses spritzes and wine to tables on the tiny port's cobblestones. Time your visit for sunset and you'll understand what so…
Turin
This Vanchiglia local is everything you could want in a neighbourhood bar: come for coffee, have a bite to eat, drop in for a good wine or nicely made…
Vernazza
Hidden on a narrow lane a few steps off the harbour, Monkey Artpub is an atmospheric drinking den with dark stone walls, an artfully lit shelf of…
Riomaggiore
There's much to like about La Conchiglia: its well-priced local wine list, perfect waterfront location and a menu of big, healthy salads, panini and…
Vernazza
Slightly concealed above the chapel along Vernazza's main street, this small wine shop and bar is a fine place to sample some of Cinque Terre's finest…
Vernazza
Go early to score a seat at this youthful, easy-going terrace cafe, with its yellow-umbrella-shaded tables perched above Vernazza's tiny beach. Aside from…
Manarola
Just below street level, this friendly local watering hole is the best place in town for some late-night revelry. There's live music on weekends (and more…
Turin
Garner literary inspiration in Mark Twain's old window seat as you contemplate the gilded interior of a cafe where 19th-century students once plotted…
Turin
This chandelier-lit showpiece opened in 1903. A brass plaque of the city's emblem, a bull (Torino in Italian means 'little bull'), is embedded in the…
Turin
This easy-going bar in San Salvario spreads one of the best apericena buffets in the city. You'll find salads, pastas, pizzas, baked dishes, grilled…
Aosta
Hidden down an alley, a young, well-dressed local crowd fills this stone-vaulted cellar for aperitivo and later on weekends. The wine selection is great…
Turin
Elbow your way to the bar or hope for a seat at one of the five wee tables at this art nouveau gem, where regulars sink espresso in piedi (standing)…
La Spezia
Founded by two Swedes back in 2016, La Spezia Brewing Company makes some of the finest beers in the Italian Riviera. The taproom keeps irregular hours,…
Turin
A cute take on Paris in the '60s, this day-night bar has a loyal local following. Young Torinese come for big weekend brunches, a nightly aperitivo spread…
Manarola
Serves up excellent wines and small plates on a terrace in the upper part of town. Come in the daytime to explore Cinque Terre's unique wines in the…
Camogli
A couple of stools outside will give you a sea view, but the real action here is inside, where books line the walls and locals chat with the welcoming…
Aosta
A stylish garden and indoor-outdoor rooms are built on part of the remains of the Roman forum and fill up with locals at aperitivo hour. They have a great…
Piedmont
A nicely urban-feeling pub up in the shopping mall that stays open later than some and has good wine and cocktails, as well as a super-cheap tapas menu if…
Langhe, Roero & Monferrato
A stylish little wine bar and shop where you can taste the region's best wines. Their motto is 'drink wine not labels'. Pick up local chocolate and…
Turin
This legendary dance club features everything from folk and punk to tango and techno. Check the website for specific opening hours and details on the…
Turin
A jewelbox-sized beautifully decorated neighbourhood drinking den where you can join locals over vermouth-fuelled sessions most nights. There's also a…
Portofino
A serious wine shop with simple tables right on the waterfront for your nightly aperitivo. It's a yachties' favourite.
Genoa
If you're keen to taste the best of Italian wine and not on a multiple-region trip, this bar breaks out of the local-is-best mould and offers a long list…
Turin
A Quadrilatero favourite that's been here for over two decades, Tre Galli is spacious and rustic, cool but warm. It's a fine spot for a drink at any time,…
Alba
Squeeze through the door of this friendly spot and sift through a list of over 350 varieties or, if in doubt, have a Barolo. Come at lunch or dinner for…
Genoa
Pre-dating cappuccinos, Klainguti opened in 1828 and its Mittel European charms, and presumably its strudel and pastries, had Verdi and Garibaldi coming…
Genoa
A bit of Turin disconnected and relocated 150km to the south, this tiled art-deco showpiece was (and is) a favourite hang-out of Genoa's intellectuals…
Turin
Perhaps the most gilded of the gilded, this glittery cafe dates from 1822. You'll get neck-ache admiring the weighty chandelier and pay for the privilege …
Alba
This nondescript corner bar packs in the ragazzi (guys) every night: perfect if you're done with fine dining and upmarket enoteche. Wine choices are still…
Genoa
Piazza delle Erbe's sliver of bars is the place for Genoa's youth to enjoy an alfresco drink. The tables of various bars merge in the cobbled square, but…
Turin
Occupying an old pharmacy, La Drogheria's vintage sofas are coveted by a laid-back, studenty crowd who enjoy drinks and a decent aperitivi selection…
Turin
This side of the river attracts an older crowd who escape the Po-side madness and come for expertly made cocktails. Outside tables in summer have…
San Remo
A lively if sophisticated bar once you've had enough seaside fun for the day. Friendly staff, excellent wines and great aperitivo snacks draw the locals.
