Lortica

Five or six bottles land directly on the table—lesser-known French regions, the more mysterious sides of Spain, Eastern Europe with its amphora macerations, and Sicily’s Mount Etna with its native grape varieties. Andrea Rubbi could sell you anything—and he does so effortlessly.

In the neighboring venue, crowds of young people fill Via Mascarella, sampling craft beers carefully selected both locally and internationally. These are the two faces of Lortica, one of the most beloved spots in Bologna among wine and beer lovers from all over Italy. It unites two souls through a shared spirit of conviviality and quality drinking.

The wine bar’s shelves are constantly rotating, featuring producers from all over Italy and beyond—often from niche wine regions—all united by a focus on biodynamic or natural winemaking, low sulfur content, and indigenous grape varieties. This is a wine session that’s refreshingly outside of trends, and Andrea—one of the most knowledgeable, charismatic, and empathetic hosts in Bologna—embraced it early on.

Even beyond his venue, Andrea shares his wisdom through socmelier courses—informal, engaging gatherings that break away from rigid wine education, making the experience fun and memorable. He’s also one of the minds behind the Festival dei Birrai Eretici, a rapidly growing event dedicated to maverick brewers.

At his place, time doesn’t follow the tick of a clock. Instead, Rubbi devotes it fully to each guest, with boundless energy and a deep well of knowledge. Boredom is rare, thanks to a vibrant calendar: vertical tastings, old vintages, meet-the-producer events, and collaborative menus with like-minded restaurants—all bringing a healthier, more curious kind of nightlife to the university district.

Lasagnette di pane carasau con verdure di stagione. Riso con basmati e spezzatino di seitan alle prugne e birra. Guancialino cotto a bassa temperatura all’arancia e finocchi

Steam House Room & Breakfast (B&B), Forno F.lli Gasperini (forno)