Unveiled the new Aperol bar and restaurant which opens in the heart of Venice, where a peculiar design concept drive to a new way of experiencing one of the city's most characteristic rituals: the Italian aperitivo. Traditional meets contemporary in the design project by Vudafieri-Saverino Partners.

Designed by the Italian studio Vudafieri-Saverino Partners, the interior combines Venetian values with the brand’s distinctive style, capturing all at once both Aperol’s century-long heritage and the contemporary spirit of the Aperol Spritz. Originating 100 years ago from the narrow backstreets of Venice, the iconic Aperol Spritz has become an international social phenomenon, an essential moment that brings people together spontaneously.

Aiming to establish itself as a major focal point for the entire city, Terrazza Aperol revisits Venice’s traditional bacaro - the typical Venetian bar - adding a cosmopolitan vibe, in a fluid continuity between different indoor and outdoor settings.

The Design Concept  

Tiziano Vudafieri and Claudio Saverino have designed a space that acts as a point of contact between past and present, traditional and contemporary, combining Venetian roots with a vibrant cosmopolitan feel. For the interiors, traditional elements have been reinterpreted to bring the space into the 21st century. Venetian mirrors become digital monitors for sharing photos with other Aperol bars around the world. Hand-crafted stucco and wood flooring reclaimed from Venetian “bricole” (navigation poles from the lagoon) are combined with pops of orange. There is a mid-20th-century-inspired bar with 3D-produced recycled polycarbonate panels; benches with classical forms are paired with neutral fabrics and contemporary style.

The Aperol "Bacaro" bar

This intimate yet dynamic and convivial space is characterised by a traditional Venetian wood ceiling with exposed beams, called "Sansovina" ceiling. The atmosphere evokes that of the city’s traditional local wine bars. For this area, Vudafieri-Saverino Partners has designed a particular seat: a long micro bench leaning against the wall with small integrated folding tables that help create an informal and lively use.

The digital mirrors are particularly distinctive and their shape evokes traditional Venetian ones. These virtual touch points are connected in real time with other Aperol bars around the world, creating digital points of contact between cities and different countries. 

The "Bacaro" bar offers an informal Venetian menu at all times of the day, based on Aperol Spritz and "cicchetti", traditional Venetian finger food.

The restaurant area 

The central feature of the space is the large serving bar with its distinctive 3D-produced recycled polycarbonate panels (back-lit in Aperol orange) and warm white corian top. The shape of the bar and the ribbed fronts are a nod to 20th-century Italian tradition. Once again this is brought into the 21st century through the use of recycled materials and 3d printing. On the wall behind the bar there is an impressive floor-to-ceiling display of bottles with antique mirror backdrop, orange-edged shelving, as well as recesses for Magnums and dynamic spotlighting. Led strip lighting illuminates the space and reminds us of the lines of the exposed beams in the period ceiling nearby, here designed only by the light, with stunning bespoke-design pendant lamps crafted from Murano glass.

Outdoors at the Terrazza 

The outdoor space blends seamlessly with the indoors through large glass and has two distinct areas that represent different ways of enjoying the Aperol world. The exterior of the "Bacaro" bar features tall tables, perfect for enjoying an aperitivo while standing, and a welcoming and versatile lounge area with custom-made seating for evenings of conviviality. The external area of the restaurant meanwhile has traditional bistro-style tables and director’s chairs and is an elegant and comfortable space where guests can enjoy food and drink brought to their table. Transparency, openness and a strong connection between indoors and outdoors are the main characteristics of the Terrazza.

An iconic food concept

Special attention has been paid to the food concept. Ranging from breakfast to after-dinner it has been created specifically for Terrazza Aperol by Alessandro Negrini and Fabio Pisani (chefs of the Michelin-starred restaurant “Il Luogo di Aimo e Nadia” in Milan). They have designed a menu based on the Venetian tradition, with excellent Italian ingredients and modulated on seasonality, with uncomplicated and informal suggestions. Terrazza Aperol will also host the first Aperol merchandising line, entirely “Made in Veneto” and inspired to celebrate moments of conviviality and togetherness.

Outdoors at the Terrazza 

The outdoor space blends seamlessly with the indoors through large glass and has two distinct areas that represent different ways of enjoying the Aperol world. The exterior of the "Bacaro" bar features tall tables, perfect for enjoying an aperitivo while standing, and a welcoming and versatile lounge area with custom-made seating for evenings of conviviality. The external area of the restaurant meanwhile has traditional bistro-style tables and director’s chairs and is an elegant and comfortable space where guests can enjoy food and drink brought to their table. Transparency, openness and a strong connection between indoors and outdoors are the main characteristics of the Terrazza.

An iconic food concept

Special attention has been paid to the food concept. Ranging from breakfast to after-dinner it has been created specifically for Terrazza Aperol by Alessandro Negrini and Fabio Pisani (chefs of the Michelin-starred restaurant “Il Luogo di Aimo e Nadia” in Milan). They have designed a menu based on the Venetian tradition, with excellent Italian ingredients and modulated on seasonality, with uncomplicated and informal suggestions. Terrazza Aperol will also host the first Aperol merchandising line, entirely “Made in Veneto” and inspired to celebrate moments of conviviality and togetherness.

All images © Santi Caleca.

Project by Vudafieri-Saverino Partners.