Somewhere between the end of the working day and dinner, all over Italy, something special happens. Bars fill up, glasses clink, small plates appear and friends gather to slow down for an hour or two. This is aperitivo, one of Italy’s most loved daily rituals, and it is exactly the feeling we wanted to bring to Uluwatu.
What is an Italian aperitivo?
Aperitivo is the Italian pre-dinner drink and the ritual that goes with it. The word comes from the Latin aperire, “to open”, because the idea is to open up your appetite before a meal. Drinks are usually light and slightly bitter, and they always come with something to nibble on: olives, crisps, cheese, cured meats or small bites.
But aperitivo is about more than the drink. It is a pause in the day, a reason to meet friends, catch up and let the evening begin slowly. Nobody rushes an aperitivo.
A short history of aperitivo
Most stories trace aperitivo back to Turin in 1786, when Antonio Benedetto Carpano created vermouth, an aromatised wine flavoured with herbs and spices. It became the fashionable drink to have before dinner, and the habit spread to cafés across northern Italy.
Over the following century came the bitter liqueurs that still define aperitivo today, like Campari, and in 1919 the Barbieri brothers launched Aperol in Padua. Today you will find aperitivo culture everywhere in Italy, from Milan’s famous buffets to Venice’s tiny bacari and the piazzas of Rome.
The spritz: Italy’s favourite aperitivo
If one drink sums up aperitivo, it is the spritz. The story goes that in the 1800s, when the Veneto region was under Austrian rule, visitors found the local wine too strong and asked for a “spritz” (a splash) of water to lighten it. Over time the splash became sparkling water, then bitters were added, and the modern spritz was born.
Today the classic Aperol Spritz is made with prosecco, Aperol and a splash of soda, served over ice with a slice of orange. It is bright, bittersweet, low in alcohol and perfect in the Bali heat.
Classic aperitivo drinks to know
- Aperol Spritz: prosecco, Aperol and soda. Light, orange and bittersweet.
- Campari Spritz: the same idea with Campari, for a deeper red and a more bitter finish.
- Negroni: gin, Campari and sweet vermouth. Strong, bitter and very Italian.
- Negroni Sbagliato: the “mistaken” Negroni, with prosecco in place of gin.
- Americano: Campari, sweet vermouth and soda. Lighter than a Negroni.
- A glass of wine: a crisp white or a light red is always a good aperitivo.
- Something without alcohol: Italians often order a bitter soda like Crodino or Sanbitter.
How Romans do aperitivo
In Milan, aperitivo is famous for big buffets. In Rome it tends to be simpler and more relaxed. Romans head out in the early evening, usually around 6 to 8 PM, to a neighbourhood bar or a table on the piazza. They order a spritz, a Negroni or a glass of wine, and it arrives with a few small plates: olives, crisps, maybe some cheese, salumi or a bite of something fried.
Then they sit, talk and watch the world go by. Aperitivo in Rome is not a party and not a meal. It is the slow, social hour that turns the day into evening, and very often it rolls straight into dinner.
Aperitivo etiquette: a few tips
- Timing matters. Aperitivo happens before dinner, never after.
- Keep it light. Choose drinks that open the appetite rather than fill you up.
- Snacks come with the drink. The small bites are part of the ritual.
- Take your time. One or two drinks, good conversation, no rush.
Aperitivo Romana at CAVO, every day from 4 to 6 PM
We love this ritual, so we made it part of every day at CAVO. Aperitivo Romana runs daily from 4 to 6 PM at our neighbourhood Italian bar and bistro on Jl. Labuansait in Pecatu, Uluwatu.
- Beer: IDR 65K
- Wine & Spritz: IDR 100K
- Aperitivo: IDR 65K
Pair your drink with something to share, like Italian green and black olives or a creamy burrata, just as you would in Rome. Then stay for dinner: oval Roman-style pizza made with 48-hour fermented dough, fresh pasta from family recipes, and gluten-free pasta and vegetarian dishes too.
Watching the sunset first? Our Uluwatu sunset guide has the best spots nearby. Walk-ins are welcome, or book a table on WhatsApp at +62 813 2830 088.
Aperitivo FAQs
What time is aperitivo in Italy?
Usually in the early evening before dinner, roughly 6 to 8 PM. At CAVO in Uluwatu, Aperitivo Romana runs every day from 4 to 6 PM.
What is in an Aperol Spritz?
Prosecco, Aperol and a splash of soda water, served over ice with a slice of orange.
Where can I get an Italian aperitivo in Uluwatu?
CAVO Bar & Bistro on Jl. Labuansait, Pecatu hosts Aperitivo Romana every day from 4 to 6 PM, with beer from IDR 65K and wine or spritz for IDR 100K.
