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12 Best Bars in Turin: Historic Cafes, Vermouth, and Cocktail Lounges

Find the best bars in Turin, from 1858 historic cafes and Bicerin stops to Bar Cavour, Piano35, Smile Tree, and San Salvario aperitivo spots.

9 min readBy Luca Moretti
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12 Best Bars in Turin: Historic Cafes, Vermouth, and Cocktail Lounges
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12 Best Bars in Turin for Vermouth, Aperitivo, and Cocktails

Last updated September 2026. This guide to the best bars in turin keeps the focus on drinking well, from Vermouth di Torino and Bicerin rituals to serious cocktail rooms. Use it beside the wider Turin Nightlife Guide: 10 Essential Spots and Districts guide when you want bars, not clubs or late-night district hopping.

Quick Answer: Where to Drink in Turin

Choose Centro when you want historic cafes, formal service, and Vermouth. Pick Quadrilatero Romano when you want creative cocktails near older streets and smaller rooms. Head to San Salvario when you want a younger bar crawl after aperitivo. Piazza Vittorio Veneto works well when outdoor seating matters. Murazzi can make sense in warmer months, especially after you have checked what is open along the river.

Tip

Use Centro for Vermouth first, then switch to San Salvario or Piazza Vittorio Veneto during the 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM aperitivo window.

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Photo: Wikimedia Commons, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

12 Best Bars in Turin for Vermouth, Bicerin, and Cocktails

These 12 choices keep the route balanced. You get 4 historic cafe stops, 4 cocktail-led bars, and 4 social neighborhood options. Book ahead for the higher-end rooms when possible. Walk in earlier for cafes, aperitivo, and casual neighborhood bars.

  • Caffe Torino
    • Go for Piazza San Carlo, polished service, and the large Martini sign tied to Turin's Vermouth identity.
    • The brief notes a 1903 opening, so this is a strong first stop for history rather than late-night energy.
    • Order a Vermouth-led drink before dinner, then move elsewhere if you want louder bars.
  • Baratti & Milano
    • Pick Baratti & Milano for gilded interiors, chocolate, and a slower Centro stop near Piazza Castello.
    • Its 1858 opening is one of the clearest historic facts in the brief.
    • Cocktails are not the only reason to come here, so pair the room with chocolate or a formal afternoon drink.
  • Caffe Mulassano
    • Use Caffe Mulassano for a compact historic bar with wood-paneled character and a sandwich story.
    • The brief identifies it with the birth of the tramezzino, so it suits a daytime drink and snack.
    • Treat it as a short stop near Piazza Castello, not a full evening base.
  • Al Bicerin
    • Choose Al Bicerin for the Turin drink made with coffee, chocolate, and cream.
    • The brief frames Bicerin as a daytime or afternoon ritual, so avoid saving it for late night.
    • Use the supplied €6-€8 planning range as a rough reference, then check the current menu before ordering.
  • Bar Cavour
    • Book Bar Cavour when you want a refined cocktail lounge above Del Cambio in Piazza Carignano.
    • The brief points to high-end riffs, including Dama Bianca, and a €16+ cocktail planning range.
    • It works best for a dressed-up evening before or after dinner, especially if you prefer seated service.
  • Piano35 Bar
    • Pick Piano35 Bar for the 35th-floor setting in the Intesa Sanpaolo skyscraper.
    • The brief connects the bar with Mirko Turconi and complex drinks using ingredients such as vermouth, coffee, and whisky.
    • Check the current lounge reservation process before you go, since the brief flags booking rules as a verification point.
  • Smile Tree
    • Choose Smile Tree for creative presentation and a Quadrilatero Romano address near Piazza della Consolata.
    • It fits travelers who want cocktails with more theater than a formal grand cafe.
    • Pair it with the wider Quadrilatero bar area if you want more than one stop.
  • Barz8
    • Use Barz8 when you care more about tailored drinks than ornate decor.
    • The brief frames it as a bartender's bar with minimalist style and bespoke cocktails.
    • Ask for a drink based on your preferred spirit instead of ordering only from familiar classics.
  • La Drogheria
    • Choose La Drogheria for Piazza Vittorio Veneto, multiple rooms, and a vintage apothecary feel.
    • Outdoor seating is part of the appeal when the square is active.
    • Arrive early if you want aperitivo, since the brief places the usual window from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM.
  • San Salvario bars
    • Use San Salvario when you want a dense, social bar district rather than one destination lounge.
    • Neighborhood drinks and aperitivo can sit around the €10-12 planning range noted in the brief.
    • Read the San Salvario nightlife guide before choosing a street-by-street route.
  • Da Cianci
    • Da Cianci is more food-led than cocktail-led, but it helps before a bar crawl.
    • The competitor brief notes about €20 for a full dinner, which makes it useful before pricier cocktails.
    • Use it as a base layer before Bar Cavour, Smile Tree, or a Centro Vermouth stop.
  • Murazzi summer bars
    • Add Murazzi when the season points you toward riverside nightlife.
    • The brief specifically warns not to miss the Murazzi area during summer months.
    • Check current openings first, then compare the route with the Murazzi nightlife guide.
best bars in turin — 2
Photo: Wikimedia Commons, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

How to Choose the Right Turin Bar

Turin rewards matching the bar to the hour. Historic cafes suit afternoon drinks, early Vermouth, and seated service. Cocktail lounges suit reservations, smart-casual clothes, and higher prices. San Salvario and Murazzi work better when you want movement between places.

Best fitWhere to goPlanning note
Historic cafeCaffe Torino, Baratti & Milano, Caffe MulassanoUse Centro for 1858 and 1903 cafe history.
BicerinAl BicerinPlan for daytime or afternoon, not late night.
High-end cocktailBar Cavour, Piano35 BarExpect the €16+ range at top cocktail rooms.
Creative cocktailsSmile Tree, Barz8Pick these when drink style matters more than a grand room.
Social aperitivoLa Drogheria, San SalvarioUse the 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM window.

Aperitivo Costs, Timing, and Value

Aperitivo in Turin usually sits before dinner, with the brief giving 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM as the key window. Expect a simple drink-and-snack setup in some places. Other bars move toward apericena, where food becomes a larger part of the evening. High-end cocktail rooms such as Bar Cavour and Piano35 sit around €16+ in the brief. Neighborhood options in San Salvario can be closer to €10-12 for drink-and-food value. Check current menus because buffet formats, served plates, and minimums can change.

Vermouth, Bicerin, and What to Order

Start with Vermouth di Torino if you want the city in the glass. Turin's Vermouth identity is tied in the brief to Carpano, Cinzano, and Martini. Historic cafes make sense for a formal Vermouth before dinner. Bar Cavour suits polished riffs on classic bitter drinks. Piano35 is better when you want a more complex build with vermouth, whisky, coffee, or fortified wine. Save Bicerin for Al Bicerin during the day. That drink belongs closer to coffee and chocolate than to a late cocktail crawl.

Good to know

Bicerin is a daytime stop; save the €16+ budget for Bar Cavour or Piano35 when cocktails become the evening focus.

Neighborhood Planning Without Overbuilding the Night

Base your route on one district first. Centro is best for Caffe Torino, Baratti & Milano, Caffe Mulassano, Al Bicerin, and Bar Cavour. Quadrilatero Romano works when Smile Tree is your anchor. San Salvario suits a looser night with several casual stops. Piazza Vittorio Veneto is useful when La Drogheria and outdoor seating matter. ZTL rules make driving into Centro awkward, so walking or public transit is the cleaner plan. For a broader evening after the bars, use night activities in Turin to avoid turning every stop into another drink.

Booking, Dress, and Common Mistakes

Reserve Bar Cavour and Piano35 when your schedule depends on them. Check current opening days before committing, because the brief flags Bar Cavour's weekly hours as something to verify. Smart casual fits the grand cafes and top lounges. Casual clothes work better for San Salvario, Barz8, and summer Murazzi plans. Do not skip the historic cafes because they look formal or tourist-facing. Those rooms carry much of the city's Vermouth and cafe culture. Avoid ordering Bicerin late at night, since it is better treated as an afternoon drink.

Build a Turin Vermouth Trail Before Dinner

Turin’s Vermouth heritage is easiest to understand as a short pre-dinner route, rather than one drink at a late bar. Begin in Centro at Caffè Torino or Baratti & Milano. Order Vermouth di Torino over ice with an orange peel. Ask which producer and style they are pouring before choosing.

Try contrasting styles instead of ordering the same drink twice. Rosso is richer and more spice-led. Bianco is softer and more aromatic. Extra Dry is lighter and works well before food. A historic café is also a better setting for this comparison than a loud late-night stop.

  • Choose a historic café for a formal first pour.
  • Continue to Bar Cavour for a vermouth-led cocktail interpretation.
  • Book Casa Martini in Pessione separately if you want a dedicated Martini & Rossi heritage visit and tasting experience.

Keep each serving small if you plan to continue into Quadrilatero or San Salvario. Bicerin is best treated as a separate afternoon stop, not part of the vermouth crawl.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best bars in Turin for a first visit?

Start with Caffe Torino or Baratti & Milano for history. Add Bar Cavour or Piano35 if you want a serious cocktail reservation. Finish in San Salvario if you want a more social district.

Which Turin bars are best for Vermouth?

Centro historic cafes are the easiest first choice for Vermouth di Torino. Bar Cavour is a better pick when you want a composed cocktail riff built around bitter or aromatic flavors.

How much do cocktails cost in Turin?

Use €16+ as a planning range for high-end cocktail rooms such as Bar Cavour and Piano35. San Salvario and other neighborhood bars can be closer to €10-12 for aperitivo value.

What time should you go for aperitivo in Turin?

Plan aperitivo between 6:00 PM and 9:00 PM. Arrive near the start if you want a calmer table. Go later if you want more district energy.

Do you need reservations for Turin cocktail bars?

Reserve for Bar Cavour and Piano35 when they matter to your night. Walk-ins are more realistic for many cafes and neighborhood bars, but current hours can still change.

Which area is best for bar hopping in Turin?

San Salvario is the clearest pick for casual bar hopping. Quadrilatero Romano works better for a shorter cocktail route. Centro is stronger for historic cafes and Vermouth.

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