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Bologna Nightlife

The vibrant student community of Bologna fuels a lively nightlife scene that can be every bit as radical as the city's politics. There are plenty of nightclubs, discos and live music venues, with a smattering that remain open until 0400. Good areas for nightlife are the student quarter (via Zamboni hosts various low budget restaurants and pubs), the streets around the main square and Via del Pratello, which has long been a meeting place for night owls.

Bologna Web Night (www.bolognawebnight.it) offer English listings of nightlife, restaurants, sports and other events, as do listings magazine 2night (www.2night.it) and Bologna Spettacolo, available from newsstands. The periodical A Guest of Bologna is free in most hotels and tourist offices and shares the city's highlights.

Bars in Bologna

Le Stanze

In the heart of the student quarter, you can't help but be drawn to Le Stanze. Its high ceilings and 17th-century frescoes make this former chapel a completely unique watering hole. Arrive early for a delicious aperitivo buffet that's just an extra euro on top of the price of your drink.

Address: , Via Borgo San Pietro 1
, Bologna, 40126
Telephone: +39 51 228 767.

Osteria del Sole

For an authentic glimpse of an ancient Italian inn, serving up booze since the 15th century, plunge into the Osteria del Sole. If you buy a picnic lunch from the nearby market you can eat it here, as long as it's accompanied by a glass of wine purchased on the premises.

Address: , Vicolo Ranocchi 1D, Bologna, 40124
Telephone: +39 347 968 0171.
Website: http://www.osteriadelsole.it

Swine Bar

Wander past this rustic-looking bar and restaurant in the evening and you're likely to see people spilling on to the street with a glass of red in their hand. The atmosphere is upbeat and lively, and the food is very good too.

Address: , Via Righi Augusto, 24, Bologna, 40100
Telephone: +39 51 232 631.

Clubs in Bologna

Kinki

Kinki, situated just metres from the Two Towers, is a long-time clubbing favourite. Founded in the 1950s, it has hosted many big names over the years, including Jimi Hendrix. However it by no means stuck in time: expect hip visuals, cutting-edge house and multimedia happenings.


Address: , Via Zamboni 1, Bologna, 40126
Telephone: +39 338 716 6141.

Link

With four rooms on two levels, Link serves up an experimental selection of ambient, techno and electronic music with Lazar light shows and special effects. Open daily from 2200-0500, avant-garde performance art and live bands often make up the earlier parts of the evening.

Address: , Via Fantoni 21, Bologna, 40127
Telephone: +39 51 631 3246.
Website: http://www.link.bo.it

Matis

Near Casteldebole train station, to the west of the city centre, students flock to Matis for techno and hip hop from local and international DJs. Following the very latest music trends, the main club nights are on a Friday and Saturday. Matis also holds large dinners with live acts.

Address: Casteldebole, Via Rotta 10, Bologna, 40132
Telephone: +39 349 729 1888.

Live music in Bologna

Bar Wolf

Bar Wolf opened in 1960 and is a hotbed of eclectic live music, hosting everything from folk rock to experimental funk. With a selection of Italian beers on tap, and cheap plates of pasta, burgers and salads flying out of the kitchen until gone midnight, there's no need to even move from your chair.

Address: , Via Massarenti 118, Bologna, 40138
Telephone: +39 51 342 944.
Website: http://www.bar-wolf.it

Bravo Caffe

In Bologna's jazz quarter, this bar and restaurant hosts live music most nights of the week. The food is hearty Bolognese fare with homemade pasta that they roll out by hand. They boast 250 labels on the wine list, but of course, it's the music that is the major pull.

Address: , Via Mascarella 1, Bologna, 40126
Telephone: +39 51 266 112.
Website: http://www.bravocaffe.it

Cantina Bentivoglio

A cross between a wine bar and a restaurant, this Bolognese institution hosts live jazz. It is nearly always packed, so it is advisable to book. In July and August, the music moves outside, when it joins adjacent restaurants to create the Salotto del Jazz – a live music festival in a closed-off portion of the street.

Address: , Via Mascarella 4B, Bologna, 40126
Telephone: +39 51 265 416.
Website: http://www.cantinabentivoglio.it

Classical music in Bologna

Dance in Bologna

Theatres in Bologna

Music and Dance in Bologna

Culture in Bologna

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Hotel Metropolitan

With minimalist decor, white walls, clean lines, candles and South East Asian art, Hotel Metropolitan is something of a calm oasis. The buffet breakfast is stocked with organic produce and there is a little courtyard to relax if the weather is good. The central square is just a short walk along one of the city's main shopping streets.

Hotel Ideale

This good value hotel close to the railway station has small but clean en-suite rooms, and pleasant staff. It has tea and coffee making facilities but doesn't offer breakfast. It also has the option of a room in a nearby apartment.

Hotel Porta San Mamolo

Excellent value, this comfortable, quiet and central hotel is close to Piazza Maggiore. Rooms are light and prettily decorated with period fabrics, elegant furnishings, floral oil paintings and candy-stripe wallpaper. The bright breakfast room is set between two courtyards. There is free Wi-Fi, satellite TV and complimentary bike hire.

Hotel Paradise

Within walking distance of the tourist centre, the 3-star Hotel Paradise offers 18 rooms, including mini apartments with small kitchens. Most of the rooms have elegant modern decor and offer fantastic views of the city's red rooftops. Its free internet and Wi-Fi access is a bonus.


Hotel Albergo Atlantic

A cosy and charming budget hotel within walking distance of the city centre, Hotel Albergo Atlantic is also close to the train station. The rooms have been renovated recently and are light and bright. Expect friendly, welcoming staff, spotlessly clean rooms and a continental buffet breakfast. Complimentary Wi-Fi is included too.

Il Convento dei Fiori di Seta

In a 14th-century convent, this chic boutique combines the building's original features and traditional style (exposed brickwork, beams, oriental rugs and religious frescoes) with elements of contemporary design, such as Perspex and chrome chairs and blown-up modernist floral photographs. A spa area offers a Jacuzzi and Turkish bath.