Long-running wine bar and restaurant with live jazz most evenings, in the university quarter near Via Zamboni.
Cantina Bentivoglio is a long-running wine bar and restaurant at Via Mascarella 4/b in Bologna's university quarter, a short walk from Via Zamboni, in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy. It is best known as a live-jazz venue, with music on most evenings, paired with a wine list and a menu of Emilian dishes. Among Bologna's late-evening options it is one of the more grown-up, seated experiences, closer to a dinner-and-music night than a standing bar crawl.
The crowd is mixed: university staff and graduates, couples, and visitors who have come specifically for the jazz, with an age range that runs from the late twenties upward. The atmosphere is warm and attentive rather than rowdy, and the room is arranged so that diners and listeners share the same space. Smart-casual clothing is typical, though there is no strict dress code.
The music programme centres on live jazz, with sets generally beginning after dinner service has started. The drinks programme leans toward wine, with glasses reported at about €6 to €10, alongside cocktails, beer and digestifs. The kitchen serves regional Emilian dishes such as cured meats and fresh pasta, and a full dinner is reported at about €30 to €45 per person, which suits a long evening more than a quick drink.
Listings report that evenings start at about 8PM and run to roughly 1AM, with later closing on Friday and Saturday. Sunday hours differ between sources, so it is best to confirm by phone on +39 051 265416 before relying on that day. A cover charge is usually not reported, although the cost is effectively built into dinner and drinks. Reservations are strongly advisable, particularly on weekends and for tables close to the musicians, and can be made by telephone or through the venue's website at cantinabentivoglio.it. There is no bottle-service culture.
The venue sits in the university quarter, which is easy to reach on foot from Piazza Maggiore and the two towers in around ten to fifteen minutes. The surrounding streets are busy in the evening with students, so it combines well with a post-dinner walk. Friday and Saturday are the liveliest nights, while midweek evenings offer a quieter room and an easier chance of a table without advance booking.
| Price | $$ |
|---|---|
| Cover | Usually no cover; glass of wine about €6–€10 (~$6.90–$11.50), dinner about €30–€45 (~$34.50–$51.75) per person |
| Hours | Evenings from 8PM to about 1AM; later on Fri–Sat; Sunday hours differ between sources (reported; confirm by phone) |
| Address | Via Mascarella 4/b, 40126 Bologna |
Good to know
- Signature
- Live jazz with wine list and Emilian dishes
Location
Via Mascarella 4/b, 40126 Bologna
44.4982, 11.3491 View on map
Highlights
- Live jazz on most evenings in Bologna's university quarter
- Wine list paired with Emilian dishes
- Seated, dinner-and-music format rather than a standing bar
- Dinner reported at roughly €30–€45 per person
- Walkable from Piazza Maggiore and Via Zamboni
Tips for visiting
- Reserve by phone on +39 051 265416, especially for Friday and Saturday.
- Midweek evenings are quieter and easier for a walk-in table.
- Confirm Sunday opening, as sources differ.
- A glass of wine is reported at about €6–€10; budget more if eating.
- Arrive around 8PM to settle in before the music builds.
- Ask for a table near the musicians when booking if listening matters most.
When to visit
Friday or Saturday evening from about 9PM for the fullest music programme; midweek for a quieter room.
Accessibility
Access details are not confirmed; the building is in a historic part of the city, so mobility-impaired visitors should call ahead to ask about steps and seating.
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Frequently asked questions
Does Cantina Bentivoglio have live music every night?
It is known for live jazz on most evenings. Programming can vary, so check with the venue before travelling.
Do visitors need a reservation?
Reservations are advisable, especially on Friday and Saturday. They can be made by phone on +39 051 265416.
How much does a night out cost?
Wine is reported at about €6–€10 a glass and dinner at about €30–€45 per person. No cover charge is usually reported.
What hours does it keep?
Evenings from about 8PM to about 1AM, later on Friday and Saturday. Sunday hours differ between sources.