A charming bookshop-bar near Piazza Bellini where students and intellectuals gather. Browse books, drink wine, and enjoy the conversation. A quintessentially Neapolitan experience.
Perditempo is a bookshop-bar near Piazza Bellini in the historic centre of Naples, Campania, a small, characterful spot whose name translates roughly as 'time-waster' and captures its unhurried spirit. By day and into the evening it functions as part bookshop, part bar, with shelves of books lining the walls and a clientele of students, writers, musicians, and intellectuals drawn from the nearby university quarter. The crowd skews young and bohemian, the dress is whatever you like, and the atmosphere is informal, talkative, and proudly local rather than touristy. Music and culture run through the place — it has a long association with Naples' independent and live-music scene, and the soundtrack tends toward indie, jazz, and alternative selections, with occasional small live sets or events. The drinks are simple and affordable: wine by the glass, beer, and basic mixed drinks at prices to match a student budget, typically just a few euros, with wine often around €3-5 a glass. The aperitivo and evening hours are the busiest, when the surrounding Piazza Bellini fills with people and the bar's tables become a hub of conversation. There is no cover charge, no bottle service, and no need to reserve; visitors simply turn up, browse the books, and settle in. Perditempo is less a destination for polished cocktails than a genuine slice of Neapolitan nightlife — a low-key, literary corner where the point is to linger over a cheap glass of wine, talk, and soak up the atmosphere of one of the city's most beloved squares.
Good to know
- Signature
- Cocktails in a bookshop setting
Highlights
- Bookshop-and-bar hybrid near lively Piazza Bellini in the historic centre
- Bohemian crowd of students, writers, and musicians from the university quarter
- Affordable wine, beer, and simple drinks on a student budget
- Long ties to Naples' independent and live-music scene
Tips for visiting
- Come in the evening when Piazza Bellini fills and the bar is at its liveliest
- Drinks are cheap — wine often runs around €3-5 a glass — so it suits a long, relaxed night
- Browse the shelves; the bookshop side is part of the experience
- Expect an informal local crowd rather than a polished tourist scene
When to visit
Best in the evening, when Piazza Bellini comes alive and the bar fills with its student and creative crowd; warmer months bring the most activity to the square.
Accessibility
The bar is a small, ground-level space packed with bookshelves and can be tight when busy; wheelchair users may find it cramped and quieter hours easier to navigate.
Frequently asked questions
What is Perditempo Bookbar?
It is a combined bookshop and bar near Piazza Bellini in central Naples, popular with students and intellectuals, where visitors browse books and drink affordable wine and beer in an informal setting.
Is it expensive?
No — it is one of the more budget-friendly spots in central Naples, with wine often around €3-5 a glass and simple drinks priced for a student crowd. There is no cover charge.
What is the atmosphere like?
Bohemian, literary, and conversational, with a young local crowd, indie and jazz soundtracks, and ties to the city's independent music scene rather than a polished cocktail-bar feel.