Three Monkeys Online

A Curious, Alternative Magazine

Nightlife in Bologna

From the TMO Bologna City Guide

Nightlife in Bologna is vibrant, but often underground (quite literally in the case of a number of clubs!). The best places to go are spread by word of mouth (and increasingly Social Media). Because it’s a university town, with a very young population you’re spoilt for choice – whether you want to go to a dance club, rock venue, or even just a late night bar.

Bologna’s Nightclubs

The Cassero LGBT Centre, the hub of Bologna’s Gay community is also home to many of the city’s best club nights. Located in the picturesque ex-salt warehouse, around the corner from the MAMBO modern art gallery, it also has a great open air bar during the summer months.

Kinki, in the heart of the University zone, in Via Zamboni, is one of Bologna’s longest running clubs. There’s been a club here since 1958 (The Whiskey-a-go-go), with Kinki in its present format running since 1975.

Link, on the outskirts of the city, and run by a collective, is a large warehouse that runs big club nights as well as hosting various digital/multimedia events. It’s radical, rough and ready.

The Sottotetto Sound Club, again on the outskirts of the city, is the place to go if you like Reggae/Dub/Calypso/Rap/Drum’n’Bass.

The Ex-Forno Club, beside MAMBO, takes its name from the original use of the building, which was as a local authority Bakery (Forno). Now converted, with industrial design, into one of the cities coolest lounge bars – at the weekends and throughout the summer it plays host to many famous international djs.

You can also check out a full list of discos at the Bologna Welcome tourist info site here

Live Music

Bologna is a great place to check out live music. Because it’s mid way between Milan and Rome, and because of a number of brilliant clubs, Bologna is a natural choice for lots of touring acts.

Estragon is Bologna’s largest rock club, and it’s where you’ll get to see a large variety of bands playing. It’s located in a large warehouse outside the city, but has parking.

The Covo Club, in Via Zagabria, is a legendary club run by a small group dedicated to bringing the best in Indie Rock to Bologna. The venue itself is tiny, but it’s played host to the likes of Mumford & Sons, The Libertines, The XX, Franz Ferdinand. It also runs great club nights (guest djs include the likes of Alan McGee).

Locomotiv, ten minutes from the main railway station, located in a small park area is another great spot for live gigs with both Italian and International acts playing.

The Freakout Club is a small, sweaty venue dedicated to punk, metal, and underground music – but it has an eclectic lineup also featuring internationally recognised dj’s. Well worth checking out.