Every Italian city keeps the same early-evening appointment. Somewhere between finishing work and sitting down to dinner, people gather for a drink, a handful of something salty, and half an hour of unhurried conversation. This is aperitivo — and it is one of the most civilised habits Italy has given the world. In Leichhardt, Sydney's Italian quarter, it feels right at home.
What Is Aperitivo?
The word comes from the Latin aperire, "to open" — as in, to open the appetite. An aperitivo is a light, usually slightly bitter drink taken before a meal to wake up the palate. The bitterness is the point: it stimulates hunger rather than dulling it, which is exactly what you want before dinner.
Just as important as the drink is the ritual. Aperitivo is not about getting drunk; it's about pausing. A single spritz, a few olives, and the company you're with. In Italy it's a daily social glue, and it usually runs from around 6pm until dinner.
The Classic Aperitivo Drinks
If you're new to it, three drinks cover almost everything you need to know:
- The Spritz. The icon of Italian aperitivo — Aperol or Campari, prosecco and a splash of soda over ice, with a slice of orange. Bright, bitter-sweet and low in alcohol. The Aperol version is gentler; the Campari version, more bitter.
- The Negroni. Equal parts gin, Campari and sweet vermouth, stirred over ice with an orange peel. Stronger and properly bitter — the drink for people who already love aperitivo.
- Prosecco. Sometimes the simplest choice is best. A chilled glass of dry Italian sparkling wine is a perfect, clean aperitivo on its own.
Beyond the classics, a light vermouth on the rocks, a dry white or a glass of Lambrusco all do the job. The rule of thumb: nothing too strong, nothing too sweet.
What to Eat With Aperitivo
An aperitivo is rarely just a drink. It comes with stuzzichini — little bites to nibble alongside. In its simplest form that's olives, nuts or chips. In its fuller form, it edges towards a light grazing spread: cured meats, cheese, focaccia, marinated vegetables. In Italy this bridges the gap to dinner without spoiling it.
At an Italian restaurant, aperitivo naturally rolls into the antipasti — a plate of burrata, some prosciutto, a few arancini — before the pasta arrives. It's the gentlest possible on-ramp to a proper Italian meal.
Aperitivo in Sydney's Little Italy
Start the evening with a spritz and a bite at La Botte D'Oro, then stay for dinner in the heart of Leichhardt.
Aperitivo in Leichhardt and Sydney's Inner West
Leichhardt has been the centre of Italian life in Sydney since the 1950s, and the aperitivo habit came with it. Along Norton and Marion streets, the early evening still has that unmistakable Italian rhythm — people meeting for a drink outside before dinner, the clink of spritz glasses, the smell of the kitchens starting up.
It's one of the things that makes the Inner West different from a generic night out: you can have a genuine Italian aperitivo without leaving Sydney. A spritz on Marion Street at dusk is about as close to Italy as the city gets.
Aperitivo at La Botte D'Oro
La Botte D'Oro has been serving Leichhardt since 1977, and the bar is set up for exactly this ritual. From early evening, you can start with a spritz, a Negroni or a glass of Italian wine from a deep list, with something to nibble before you sit down to dinner. It works as a quick after-work drink, the start of a long dinner, or a warm-up before an event night.
Browse the drinks and food on the full menu, and when you're ready to make a night of it, book a table and let the evening unfold the Italian way — slowly.
Aperitivo: FAQs
What is an Italian aperitivo?
Aperitivo is the Italian ritual of a light, usually bitter drink and a small bite before dinner, taken in the early evening to open the appetite and unwind. Classics include the Aperol or Campari spritz, the Negroni and a glass of prosecco, served with olives or small snacks.
What time is aperitivo?
Aperitivo is an early-evening ritual, traditionally from around 6pm until dinner. In Australia it fits naturally into the after-work, pre-dinner window.
What do you drink for aperitivo?
The most popular choices are the Aperol Spritz, the Campari-based Negroni, a chilled prosecco or a light vermouth — something not too strong and slightly bitter, to stimulate the appetite.
Where can I have aperitivo in Leichhardt?
Leichhardt, Sydney's Little Italy, is a natural home for aperitivo. La Botte D'Oro on Marion Street serves spritzes, Negroni and Italian wines from early evening — a relaxed pre-dinner drink in the heart of the Inner West.
Visit La Botte D'Oro for Aperitivo in Leichhardt
La Botte D'Oro is at 137 Marion Street, Leichhardt NSW 2040, in the heart of Sydney's original Little Italy. Come for an early-evening spritz and stay for dinner, or make it the start of a bigger night. For opening hours, directions and parking, see our contact page, or explore private dining and functions if you're planning to gather a group.