Bergamo Nightlife

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CITTA BASSA

Caffe Falconi was one of those 'Happy Finds' Handily located between our accommodation and Porta Nuova!

Our first visit co-incided with 'Happy Hour'. I ordered an Aperol Spritz and Gilly opted for a glass of Valcolepia Rosso - a locally produced wine, which Gilly decided was the best that she'd tasted -so far! This cost 9.50 Euros for our 2 drinks

Our 'Happy Hour' nibbles included salted peanuts, crisps, pretzels, bread and thin slices of cold meat (pic 2)
We noticed that there was a selection of plates containing some interesting looking appetisers, but weren't sure if we were entitled to sample these!

Seating outside - a couple of small tables and chairs on the pavement, while the main bar is lined with dark wood shelves containing a vast array of wine bottles (the bar is also a wine shop) and a small selection of preserved foods. Dark wood tables and chairs, provide a comfortable place to relax over a drink and 'people watch'

At the back of the bar, past the 'hidden' WC's, is another room, with seating for about 20 people - this is quite basic. Outside, is a further 'room' a glass box - not sure if this was a smoking area.

The clientele here, were of a 'mature age' (as were the staff)- The Velvet Pub opposite appeared to cater for the younger crowd, with music/karaoke etc.

This felt like an 'established business' where people visit to enjoy a good drink and a chat - no loud music drowning out conversation.

While there is a wide selection of wines -and whisky/spirits, there is only one draught beer pump here.

We returned here on the Sunday night for a nightcap - a glass each of Valcolepio!

We'll Be Back ..........!

Dress Code: Smart Casual appeared to be the norm - Guess there may be a smattering of VT attire the first weekend of June 2012!

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Passing by this bar early on Saturday afternoon, we were attracted to the board advertising some imaginatively named beers - think this might be quite popular during EurMeet 2012!

The owner let us have a look around inside - it was quite spacious, with a mezzanine level as well as an inside seating area. Seating outside too.

When we returned on Tuesday afternoon, we were just a bit too soon for 'Happy Hour' but ordered an Aperol Spritz and a draught beer, and enjoyed a rest, while 'people watching'

Dress Code: Not sure - guess it will be a mix of casual and 'smart casual'

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This is a great wine bar just off the 'main drag' of Bergamo's Citta Bassa.

We had a few drinks here over the course of our March 2012 visit and chose it as our venue for the First Timer's Gathering during EurMeet.

There is a great selection of wine and even a beer or two available. The venue has a few seats outside on the pavement as well as a seating area in the front near the bar, a rear seating area and an enclosed outside room to the rear.

We had Happy Hour there one evening - which was pleasant, but by no-means the best Happy Hour in Bergamo. The wine selection is extensive with bottles on shelves all around and plenty of options to enjoy with the bar staff being quite happy to make recommendations.

Dress Code: Smart casual - no evidence of anything better than this.

CITTA ALTA
Citta Alta is one of only 3 completely walled Medieval towns in Europe. In days of yore, the heavy gates to the city were closed each night at 22.00hours, to protect the citizens within.

In order to warn the good people of Bergamo (the Bergamaschi), (who of course, didn't sport watches) of the approaching 'lock out', the bells of the Campanone (Torre Civica) were rung - a custom that continues to this day.

So I'd suggest grabbing a seat at one of the bars, and watch as the square starts to fill with others wanting to enjoy the sounds of the Big Bell as it is struck 100 times.

Strangely, during our visit in May, Gillybob and I were positioned in the square, ready .... and nothing! The bells didn't ring, so thinking I'd got the time wrong, we hung around until 22.30 .... again nothing! When I mentioned this to the staff in the Tourist Information Office the next day, they were quite surprised that the bells hadn't rung, and didn't know why they hadn't.

Dress Code: Come as you are.
From September to May it can be quite chilly at night, so bring a jacket/fleece/coat etc.

I like this place, it's small but cosy and waitresses are very kind and nice. I go there with friends very often and we like to sit down on the stools near the little window where you can see people walking on the street. You can choose between some kind of delicious beers and many brands of whiskey, cognac and rum.
It's very easy to reach this pub: if you're going up toward piazza vecchia you'll find it on the right few meters before the square.

Enjoy!

Main dancefloor: culture club / house / electronic. Latest guests: Groove Armada, Alessio Bertallot, Sex in Dallas.
Chill out room: lounge / r'n'b.

* Membership required. Entry € 12 (€ 10 with flyer).

Dress Code: No dress code. Temperature tends to be tropical -- a sleeveless t-shirt won't be inappropriate.

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I'd passed by this popular and cosy looking bar a few times during my previous visit, but as I was by myself, I found a quieter bar for a drink.

I was quite pleased that on my 2nd visit to Bergamo, with 'The Girlz', after our meal, we decided to call in here for 'a night-cap'. Well that was our intention-1 drink, then catch the funicular and back to the hotel -It had been a long day for us.

Hmmmmm! who were the last ones in the place? Yes, the funicular had stopped running long before we left in the early hours.

Quite a few people have questioned why if we were in Italy we had to go to an Irish bar? Well surprisingly, there were many locals in here - it has character, and the Guinness was good.

Yes, there's Guinness memorabilia on the walls etc, and in the window display, but I didn't hear any twee 'Oirish Drinking songs'

The bar is quite small, with dark wood floors and furnishings. Small raised tables with stools and a raised platform area with more seating and tables.

No smoking inside - smoking outside on the street.

We ordered pints of Guinness and settled down for a natter and laugh, when we were joined by a group of Norwegian men, who were staying at the same hotel as us.

We had a great night/early morning in here!

Dress Code: Casual- smart casual.

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After enjoying our meal at Albergo Piemontese, we decided to find somewhere to enjoy a drink, before heading back to our hotel.

Patsy spotted a likely place, and so we headed over to this trendy looking bar located in the old archways. We were escorted up a flight of stairs and shown to cafeteria style seats in a mezzanine level overlooking the bar.

It was mainly a young trendy crowd, that were seated in this area, and I hate to admit it, but the music was a bit too loud, and not really my type of music, so chatting was a bit difficult.

We perused the list of cocktails. I chose a prosecco and strawberry drink (pic 3), the others chose champagne cocktails, while Debs went for her favourite Jack Daniels.

While we waited for our drinks we indulged in a bit of people watching, and down stairs, we could see our drinks being made at the bar.

No smoking inside, so it's a walk downstairs and outside.

This bar has many levels, with rooms off the staircase. On the way to find the toilets, I managed to find the kitchens, and a lift to the VIP lounge!

The toilets are worth a visit!

Dress Code: Smart casual. Jeans allowed. Bergamos young and trendy head here apparently.