The origins of the Osteria dei Poeti as a “buchetta” (the little hatch for pouring drinks located below street level, with a large wooden rack separating the innkeeper from the customer) are immediately apparent at the entrance, in front of the ancient 17th-century counter, a reminder of when it was called “l’hustari dri dal Ren”, the tavern behind the Reno.
The current name, according to the official version, comes from the fact that among its regulars were writers such as Giosuè Carducci, Giovanni Pascoli, and Lorenzo Stecchetti. The osteria boasts two magnificent rooms that alone are worth a visit: the large barrel hall, with vaulted ceilings and long tables where music is played and people have a lively time together, and the fireplace room, cozier and quieter, a refuge for couples and those who want peace.
The kitchen offers a seasonal à la carte menu and daily dishes, with pasta strictly handmade and meats cooked to order over the fireplace embers, while the wine list spans the entire national territory. Hosting the place is Graziano Poli, director and former partner, who in over twenty years of presence has no difficulty talking about how the times and customs of Bologna’s nightlife have changed.
