Bologna Nightlife
The name of the game is students. Students, students, everywhere, in every discoteche, pub, osteria and coffee bar in sight, with often the cover prices and crowds to prove it. Luckily, Bologna's student population makes for an interesting variety of nightlife options, from posh wine bars and Irish pubs to outdoor summer discoteche and dance clubs catering to the local LGBT population.
Bologna's international flavor lends itself to an eclectic, diverse nightlife, with seemingly every nationality represented and accounted for. With dinner starting as late as 10pm, in typical European fashion, Italian clubbing goes well into the early hours. While some dancing venues are glitzy and may encourage you to break out your fanciest traveling duds, there are plenty hidden dancing caves located below more down-to-earth bars. Despite that description, these venues are easy to slip in and out of unscathed for a few songs. Covers vary depending on what type of club or bar you're looking for – call before or stop by early in the evening to find out if covers start at any time.
If dancing or drinking isn't your cup of tea, Bologna has plenty to offer in terms of more low-key evening entertainment, from jazz clubs, dance performances and festivals, movie houses (many of which offer movies in English), and music festivals throughout the year, both inside and out.
For better or worse, Bologna is not the type of city that goes to sleep after 5 o'clock – in fact, in many corners of the city, it positively comes alive. Italians are famous for their long, leisurely meals, so you may find that many of your evenings are spent sitting in local cafés, relishing a tasty meal and enjoying an affordable bottle of vino. Going for a long stroll through the center after dinner and enjoying some gelato in Piazza Maggiore can be a perfectly pleasant way to spend a warm evening. People watching can be the most rewarding part of any traveling experience, particularly in a city as diverse and vibrant as Bologna. It has something for everyone.
Bologna's international flavor lends itself to an eclectic, diverse nightlife, with seemingly every nationality represented and accounted for. With dinner starting as late as 10pm, in typical European fashion, Italian clubbing goes well into the early hours. While some dancing venues are glitzy and may encourage you to break out your fanciest traveling duds, there are plenty hidden dancing caves located below more down-to-earth bars. Despite that description, these venues are easy to slip in and out of unscathed for a few songs. Covers vary depending on what type of club or bar you're looking for – call before or stop by early in the evening to find out if covers start at any time.
If dancing or drinking isn't your cup of tea, Bologna has plenty to offer in terms of more low-key evening entertainment, from jazz clubs, dance performances and festivals, movie houses (many of which offer movies in English), and music festivals throughout the year, both inside and out.
For better or worse, Bologna is not the type of city that goes to sleep after 5 o'clock – in fact, in many corners of the city, it positively comes alive. Italians are famous for their long, leisurely meals, so you may find that many of your evenings are spent sitting in local cafés, relishing a tasty meal and enjoying an affordable bottle of vino. Going for a long stroll through the center after dinner and enjoying some gelato in Piazza Maggiore can be a perfectly pleasant way to spend a warm evening. People watching can be the most rewarding part of any traveling experience, particularly in a city as diverse and vibrant as Bologna. It has something for everyone.
