Cocktail barWine and aperitivo bar€€€kalsa
Kursaal Kalhesa inside the Norman bastion walls on Foro Umberto I in Palermo runs a wine bar and small-plates room under vaulted ceilings, with a courtyard.
Signature drink: Carricante Etna Bianco
Food: Sicilian small plates
Tip: Closed Tuesday. The Sicilian small-plates carte runs from 19:00; the courtyard fills first.
Cocktail barChampagne and cocktail bar€€€politeama
Champagneria del Massimo on Via Bara all'Olivella behind the Teatro Massimo in Palermo is a small-room champagne bar with 30 bottles by the glass.
Signature drink: Champagne by the glass
Food: Charcuterie, cheese
Tip: Closed Sunday. The champagne flight is the value tasting; the back room is the quieter seat.
Cocktail barCocktail bar€€€vucciria
Bocum Mixology on Via dei Cassari in Palermo's Vucciria is the city's senior cocktail bar, Gambero Rosso's Sicily benchmark, deep Sicilian-spirits list.
Signature drink: Frangiflutti (Marsala-based cocktail)
Food: Sicilian sharing plates, panini, charcuterie
Tip: Aperitivo from 18:00. Frangiflutti is the house cocktail; the upstairs lounge is the seat to book.
Cocktail barCocktail and natural wine bar€€€kalsa
Barril on Via Giuseppe Fiorelli in Palermo's Kalsa is a modern cocktail and natural-wine bar with a 50-seat dining room, drawing the city's young creative.
Signature drink: Negroni Sbagliato
Food: Charcuterie, small plates
Tip: Book ahead at weekends. The natural-wine flight pairs with the small plates.
Cocktail barNatural wine bar€€€vucciria
Botteghe Colletti on Via Alessandro Paternostro in Palermo's Vucciria runs a small-room natural-wine bar with a Sicilian-only list. Booking recommended.
Signature drink: Catarratto by the glass
Food: Cicchetti, charcuterie, cheese
Tip: Closed Monday. The fortnightly winemaker visits are worth the seat; check Instagram for the calendar.
Cocktail barCocktail bar€€€loggia
Ferramenta on Via Giuseppe D'Alessi behind the Palazzo Steri in Palermo runs a 30-seat speakeasy-style cocktail bar in a former ironmonger's shop.
Signature drink: Mediterranean spritz, vermouth-led cocktails
Food: Aperitivo snacks
Tip: Closed Sunday. The vermouth flight is the educational pour; book at weekends.