What Is Aperitivo? Italy’s Pre-Dinner Ritual Explained
Jump to:
- What does aperitivo mean?
- A brief history
- When is aperitivo enjoyed?
- Aperitivo vs happy hour – what’s the difference?
- Aperitivo etiquette
- What do you drink during aperitivo?
- What food is served at aperitivo?
- Why aperitivo has caught on in the UK
- How to host aperitivo at home
- Aperitivo at a Glance TLDR ― Quick summary
Aperitivo is an Italian pre-dinner ritual centred around light drinks, small snacks, and socialising before a meal. It’s a built-in pause in the bustle of the day, a moment rooted in Italian culture where people gather, talk, and ease into the evening before dinner.
You may have noticed Italian aperitivo getting extra attention lately, thanks to pop-culture moments like The White Lotus. Still, this isn’t a new take on what aperitivo hour is, nor is it a rebranded happy hour. It’s a long-standing Italian tradition shaped by connection, timing, and the simple pleasure of sharing a drink before the table is set.
What does aperitivo mean?
If you’ve ever wondered what aperitivo is when translated into English, the aperitivo meaning is derived from the Latin aperire, which means “to open”. In this context, aperitivo is meant to create a delicious opening to the evening — no rushing, just gently setting the stage for what comes next.
Here is where things often get mixed up. Aperitivo is both a drink and a ritual. The drink might be a spritz, a vermouth-based serve, or a low-ABV option built for early evening sipping. The ritual is the moment itself. Time carved out for conversation, light snacks, and a slower pace. That’s also where the distinction between aperitif vs aperitivo matters. An aperitif is the beverage in your glass. Aperitivo is the experience built around it.
One of the important parts of aperitivo hour is how it prepares you for dinner. Many traditional aperitivo drinks include bitters, which are known to gently wake up the appetite. The idea isn’t to fill up or drink fast. It’s to ease into the meal ahead, letting flavour, company, and anticipation do their thing.
Also see: What Is an Aperitif? 15 Aperitif Cocktails to Make at Home
A brief history
The roots of Italian aperitivo stretch back centuries, shaped by the joys of everyday social habits. Long before it became a defined ritual, pre-dinner drinks were part of Italian café culture, where locals gathered in the golden light of early evening to catch up, exchange news, and mark the transition from work to leisure.
Over time, this evolved into a recognisable Italian tradition. Cafés and bars began serving simple drinks alongside small bites, creating spaces for conversation and connection before dinner. What mattered most wasn’t what was in the glass, but the shared pause it created. That sense of rhythm, easing into the evening rather than rushing toward it, remains central to Italian culture today.
Learn more: Aperitivo Cocktails (The Italian Art of Pre-Dinner Drinks)
When is aperitivo enjoyed?
In Italy, aperitivo usually happens between 6 and 8 pm, when the workday winds down and evening venues open up. It’s a moment for light drinks — sometimes a glass of wine — and easy conversation, lingering rather than rushing to the next place.
That pacing is where cultural differences show up. In Italy, aperitivo is unhurried and social by design. In the UK, evenings often move faster, with tighter schedules and earlier dinners. Aperitivo pushes back against that norm, encouraging people to stay a little longer, chat a little more, and let the occasion progress naturally.
Aperitivo vs happy hour – what’s the difference?
At first glance, aperitivo can look like happy hour dressed up with Italian flair. The reality is more nuanced. The aperitivo vs happy hour distinction comes down to intent.
The main differences lie in purpose, pace, and atmosphere. Aperitivo is a ritual focused on connection and ease. In UK pub clulture, happy hour is typically an alcoholic beverage promotion, built around discounts and quick rounds. Food follows the same logic. Aperitivo leans on light snacks meant to spark appetite, not replace dinner, while happy hour menus often blur into full meals.
Most of all, the mood is different. Aperitivo invites lingering. Happy hour often rewards speed. One is social and open-ended, the other is usually transactional and time-bound.
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Aperitivo etiquette
Aperitivo etiquette is simple and rooted in Italian culture rather than strict rules:
- Arrive early evening and don’t stay past dinnertime
- Choose Italian pre-dinner drinks meant for sipping, not drinking quickly
- Treat snacks as a warm-up, not a meal
- Keep conversation relaxed and inclusive
These small habits reflect a broader Italian tradition of slowing down and sharing time before sitting down to eat.
By definition, aperitivo snacks are only meant to be an appetite booster. Do not expect to fill up on these little morsels as you would on a full dinner. Graze and enjoy, sticking to only a few bites if served from a communal platter.
Pair your Aperol Spritz with cichetti that lean into herbaceous, rich and toasted notes — think fried calamari with lemon and parsley dip, smoked salmon sliders with lemon dressing, seafood ceviche with plantain crisps, or red prawn tartare with burrata and toasted focaccia.
What do you drink during aperitivo?
The focus during aperitivo is balance. Drinks are chosen to suit the early evening, setting a relaxed tone without overpowering what comes next. You’ll often see aperitif-style serves, spritzes, and other lower-alcohol options designed for slow sipping rather than fast rounds.
Classic cocktail examples include the Aperol Spritz, the Hugo, the Negroni Sbagliato, and the Americano, or even a simple Martini cocktail. These drinks work well in this kind of setting because they invite conversation and easy pacing instead of stealing the spotlight. The goal is to serve something that invites another sip, not signal a last call.
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What food is served at aperitivo?
Aperitivo snacks are intentionally restrained. The food is there to wake up the appetite, not replace dinner. Think bite-size, salty, and savoury foods that pair easily with a drink and disappear in a few bites.
Olives, nuts, small toasts, cheeses, and cured meats are common choices. The goal is variety without volume, encouraging guests to graze lightly.
Learn more: How to Slay Cocktail and Appetizer Pairings Like a Pro
Why aperitivo has caught on in the UK
Aperitivo has found a natural home in the UK because it fits with how people like to spend time together now. It aligns with intentional social drinking, evenings that lean towards moderation, and a growing enjoyment of relaxed, at-home hosting.
Rather than feeling like a passing trend, aperitivo works because it meets a familiar need. It offers an easy way to bring people together before dinner, creating space to chat and unwind without the pressure of a full night out.
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How to host aperitivo at home
Hosting an aperitivo gathering doesn’t require perfection. Timing matters more than precision. Aim for early evening and keep the setup simple.
Offer a small range of drinks so guests can choose what suits them. Set out a few easy snacks; nothing that needs cutlery or constant attention. Most importantly, create spaces to linger. Comfortable seating, good lighting, and an unhurried pace do more than any elaborate spread.
Go pro: 13 Craft Cocktails to Make at Home
Aperitivo at a Glance
TLDR ― Quick summary
- Aperitivo is a pre-dinner moment built around drinks, small snacks, and conversation.
- It typically takes place in the early evening.
- Food is light and snack-focused, not meal-sized.
- The ritual matters because it creates time to slow down and connect before dinner.
There you have it ― a short and sweet introduction to what aperitivo is, and how to host a delicious version of it at home. Stock up on Aperol (opens in new window) and Campari (opens in new window) to mix your amazing aperitivo drinks, and sign up for our newsletter to stay inspired.
