Not a pub. Not a café. The Italian bar is the most important social institution in the country.
Plan your Italy trip →A bar in Italy serves: espresso, cappuccino, pastries (morning), sandwiches and light lunch (midday), aperitivo and cocktails (evening), and everything in between. It's open 6am-midnight. Every neighborhood has 3-5 bars within walking distance. Most Italians visit their local bar 2-4 times daily. The barista knows every regular by name and order.
7-9am: Espresso + cornetto (croissant). Fast, standing at the bar, morning greetings exchanged. 10-11am: Mid-morning coffee break. Office workers pop out for "un caffè." 12-2pm: Panini, tramezzini (crustless sandwiches), toasted sandwiches for a quick lunch. 3-4pm: Afternoon coffee. 6-8pm: Aperitivo — the bar transforms into a social hub. Spritz, Negroni, prosecco + snacks or buffet. After dinner: Ammazzacaffè (digestive liqueur), a final coffee, or just a nightcap.
Espresso at the bar: €1-1.20. Cappuccino: €1.30-1.70. Cornetto: €1-1.50. Spritz: €3-5 at a neighborhood bar, €7-12 at a tourist piazza. The bar survives on volume and repeat customers, not high margins. An Italian spending €3-5/day at their local bar generates €1,000-1,800/year — the bar's real revenue is loyalty.
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