Bari Entertainment

An ideal way to kick back in Bari is to visit a local restaurant for an enjoyable meal, which will always offer the freshest vegetables and seafood. A large variety of dining opportunities, ranging from fast food to exclusive restaurants, can be found around the city centre, as well as on the outskirts of Bari. Late night bars are ideal for an evening drink and are usually accompanied by live music.

There are a handful of cinemas in Bari which provide entertainment for young and old alike. You will be able to watch all of Hollywoods latest blockbusters as well as some traditional Italian films (with subtitles of course!) The extremely modern Warner Village cinema offers 9 screening rooms and a games room, which are ideal for the children.

Going to the theatre to see a play is a common way of spending an evening in Bari and also offers a cultural insight into Italy. Popular playhouses in Bari include: Kursaal, Abeliano, Piccolo Teatro and Teatro dellAnonima.

Italy is renowned for its trend-setting fashions, and the little town of Bari is no exception. Here you will find numerous fashion boutiques as well as many quaint shops selling all sorts of products. Most shops are centrally located on Via Sparano road. Household items can be purchased at Casa & Casa while Societa Anonima C.I.M.A offers high-end lingerie and bathing costumes. There are numerous clothing shops catering to babies, children, women and men.

Eating out

Bari is home to a large variety of places to eat, with foods ranging from traditional to international. Food in the town combines tasty flavours and fresh vegetables with favourites such as orecchiette, pasta cooked with turnip tops and cavatelli; peppers stuffed with rice and meat baked in an oven are often served.

Restaurants range from small diners to elegant eateries. Several farmhouses open a portion of their farm for visitors to enjoy fresh fruit and vegetables, prepared to traditional recipes. Being a port city, Bari is heavy on seafood such as oysters, clams, cuttlefish, cod, sea bream, bass, mussels, lobsters, prawns, sole and anchovies. Seafood is also often boiled, fried, baked or used in soups.

For great seafood dishes, recommended restaurants are: Osteria Pericci and Ristorante Nuova Vecchia Bari, which combine both modern and traditional recipes. For a quicker meal such as pizza or salad, Gibson Pub is a favourite among those preferring international cuisine. Hard Rock Pub and the Pub Barbanera allow visitors to spend a fun evening out eating Italian filled rolls or pizzas while enjoying the delightful music.

The historical centre of the city is home to family run bakeries, where old ladies prepare orecchiette pasta, and you will find freshly baked bread such as focaccia, calzoni and traditional tielle. Cakes and pastries are common in these bakeries and make a delicious treat or snack. Traditional specialties based on local produce can be sampled in most of Baris restaurants. Sun-dried tomatoes accompanied with olive oil as well as olives, egg-plant and artichokes make the most of Italian staples.