4 speakeasies in Bologna, editor-picked by TableJourney. All Bologna nightlife.
The Donkey ★ 4.5
Quadrilatero · Vicolo Broglio 1f, 40125 Bologna
The Donkey hides a small cocktail room behind a medieval gate on Vicolo Broglio, pairing a no-oversized-drink rule with a curated spirits back bar, a short cigar list and an art deco interior that splits Art Nouveau and 1950s modernist cues.
Tip: Reservations only via WhatsApp to 349 138 4953; the door does not take walk-ins. Cocktails sit around 14 euros, sized to the spirit-forward house style.
Le Vie dei Briganti ★ 4.3
Universita · Via Alessandrini 3, 40126 Bologna
Le Vie dei Briganti sits on Via Alessandrini above the Moline canal, with an upstairs bistro and a basement speakeasy reached by ringing a hidden bell, run by four Roman owners with a cocktail list that swings prohibition classics into Italian flavours.
Tip: Daytime food service runs upstairs; the underground bar opens for evenings only. Ask the bartender about the canal-window seat, a small basement banquette with the Moline view.
Bohemien Social Club ★ 4.2
Universita · Via Marsala 20/a, 40126 Bologna
Bohemien Social Club fills a Via Marsala back room with sofas, retro lamps, a piano in the corner and a wall of bookshelves, running a jazz-bar soundtrack alongside vinyl DJ sets, book launches and small documentary nights.
Tip: Ten euro membership card at the door, valid for the year; the room runs as a private social so they keep it intimate. The kitchen sends bruschetta and salumi plates if you want to eat.
Le Stanze ★ 4.4
Universita · Via del Borgo San Pietro 1, 40126 Bologna
Le Stanze occupies a former chapel of the Bentivoglio family on Via del Borgo San Pietro, with rooms of 17th-century frescoes set against post-modern sofas, a cocktail list at the bar and DJ sets that push the crowd past midnight on weekends.
Tip: Aperitivo buffet runs from 18:00 with the cocktail; the room peaks on Friday and Saturday past 22:30 when the crowd spills onto the sidewalk.